10-K 1 d412501d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

(Mark One)

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to            

Commission file number 001-35769

 

 

 

LOGO

NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   46-2950970

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York   10036
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 416-3400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Class A Preferred Stock Purchase Rights   The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Class B Preferred Stock Purchase Rights   The NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of class)

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

As of December 30, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates was approximately $4,349,929,638, based upon the closing price of $11.46 per share as quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market on that date, and the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates was approximately $1,426,670,174, based upon the closing price of $11.80 per share as quoted on The NASDAQ Stock Market on that date.

As of August 7, 2017, 382,305,541 shares of Class A Common Stock and 199,630,240 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information required for Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the News Corporation definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 120 days of News Corporation’s fiscal year end.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

PART I

  
  ITEM 1.   

Business

     1  
  ITEM 1A.   

Risk Factors

     17  
  ITEM 1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments

     30  
  ITEM 2.   

Properties

     30  
  ITEM 3.   

Legal Proceedings

     32  
  ITEM 4.   

Mine Safety Disclosures

     33  

PART II

  
  ITEM 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     34  
  ITEM 6.   

Selected Financial Data

     36  
  ITEM 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     38  
  ITEM 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     76  
  ITEM 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     78  
  ITEM 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     149  
  ITEM 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

     149  
  ITEM 9B.   

Other Information

     149  

PART III

  
  ITEM 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     150  
  ITEM 11.   

Executive Compensation

     150  
  ITEM 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     150  
  ITEM 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     151  
  ITEM 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     151  

PART IV

  
  ITEM 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      152  
  ITEM 16.    Form 10-K Summary      152  

SIGNATURES 

     153  


Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

The Company

News Corporation (the “Company,” “News Corp,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a global diversified media and information services company focused on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content to consumers and businesses throughout the world. The Company comprises businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia, that are distributed under some of the world’s most recognizable and respected brands, including The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, The Australian, Herald Sun, The Sun, The Times, HarperCollins Publishers, FOX SPORTS Australia, realestate.com.au, realtor.com®, Foxtel, talkSPORT and many others. The Company’s commitment to premium content makes its properties a trusted source of news and information and a premier destination for consumers across various media. Many of these properties deliver broad reach and high audience engagement levels in their respective markets, making them attractive advertising vehicles for the Company’s advertising customers.

The Company delivers its premium content to consumers across numerous distribution platforms consisting not only of traditional print and television, but also through an array of digital platforms including websites, applications for mobile devices and tablets, social media and e-book devices. The Company is focused on pursuing integrated strategies across its businesses to continue to capitalize on the growth in digital consumption of high-quality content. The Company believes that the increasing number of media choices and formats will allow it to continue to deliver its content in a more engaging, timely and personalized manner, provide opportunities to more effectively monetize its content via strong customer relationships and more compelling and engaging advertising solutions and reduce its physical production and distribution costs as it continues to focus on its digital platforms.

The Company’s diversified revenue base consists of advertising sales, recurring subscriptions, circulation copies, sales of real estate listing products, licensing fees, affiliate fees, direct sales and sponsorship sales. The Company manages its businesses to take advantage of opportunities to share technologies and practices across geographies and businesses and bundle selected offerings to provide greater value to consumers and advertising partners. Headquartered in New York, the Company operates primarily in the United States, Australia and the U.K., and its content is distributed and consumed worldwide. The Company’s operations are organized into five reporting segments: (i) News and Information Services; (ii) Book Publishing; (iii) Digital Real Estate Services; (iv) Cable Network Programming; and (v) Other, which includes the Company’s general corporate overhead expenses, corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters, as defined in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” The Company also owns a 50% stake in Foxtel, the largest pay-TV provider in Australia, which is accounted for as an equity investment.

The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest to June 30 in each year. Fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 included 52, 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. Unless otherwise noted, all references to the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 relate to the fiscal years ended July 2, 2017, July 3, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of June 30.

Corporate Information

News Corporation is a Delaware corporation originally organized on December 11, 2012 in connection with its separation (the “Separation”) from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (formerly named News Corporation) (“21st Century Fox”), which was completed on June 28, 2013 (the “Distribution Date”). In connection with the Separation, the Company assumed the name “News Corporation.” Unless otherwise indicated, references in this

 

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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 (the “Annual Report”) to the “Company,” “News Corp,” “we,” “us,” or “our” means News Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, and its telephone number is (212) 416-3400. The Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock are listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the trading symbols “NWSA” and “NWS,” respectively, and CHESS Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) representing the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) under the trading symbols “NWSLV” and “NWS,” respectively. More information regarding the Company is available on its website at www.newscorp.com, including the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are available, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document and any documents incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, including “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “believe” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this document and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things, trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and the outcome of contingencies such as litigation and investigations. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. More information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report. The Company does not ordinarily make projections of its future operating results and undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. This section should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation (the “Financial Statements”) and related notes set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

The Company’s five reporting segments are described below. In addition, the Company owns a 50% stake in Foxtel, which is accounted for as an equity investment. For financial information regarding the Company’s segments and operations in geographic areas, see Note 19 to the Financial Statements. For information regarding revenues generated by the principal products and services of each segment, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

     

For the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2017

 
     Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
 
     (in millions)  

News and Information Services

   $ 5,069      $ 414  

Book Publishing

     1,636        199  

Digital Real Estate Services

     938        324  

Cable Network Programming

     494        123  

Other

     2        (175
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,139      $ 885  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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News and Information Services

The Company’s News and Information Services segment consists primarily of Dow Jones, News Corp Australia, News UK, the New York Post and News America Marketing. This segment also includes Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”), a leading global video advertising distribution platform, Wireless Group, operator of talkSPORT, the leading sports radio network in the U.K., and Storyful Limited (“Storyful”), a social media content agency that enables the Company to source real-time video content through social media platforms. The News and Information Services segment generates revenue primarily through sales of print and digital advertising and circulation and subscriptions to its print and digital products. Advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment are subject to seasonality, with revenues typically being highest in the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies.

Dow Jones

Dow Jones is a global provider of news and business information, which distributes its content and data through a variety of media channels including newspapers, newswires, websites, applications for mobile devices, tablets and e-book readers, newsletters, magazines, proprietary databases, conferences and video. Dow Jones’s products, which target individual consumer and enterprise customers, include The Wall Street Journal, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, Barron’s, MarketWatch, Dow Jones PEVC and DJX. Dow Jones’s revenue is diversified across business-to-consumer and business-to-business subscriptions, circulation, advertising and licensing fees for its print and digital products.

Consumer Products

Through its premier brands and authoritative journalism, Dow Jones’s products targeting individual consumers provide insights, research and understanding that enable customers to stay informed and make educated financial decisions. With a focus on the financial markets, investing and other professional services, many of these products offer advertisers an attractive customer demographic. Products targeting consumers include the following:

 

   

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). WSJ, Dow Jones’s flagship product, is available in print, online and across multiple mobile, tablet and e-book devices. WSJ covers national and international news and provides analysis, commentary and opinions on a wide range of topics, including business developments and trends, economics, financial markets, investing, science and technology, lifestyle, culture and sports. WSJ’s print products are printed at plants located around the U.S., including eight owned by the Company. WSJ sells regional advertising in three major U.S. regional editions (Eastern, Central and Western) and 21 smaller sub-regional editions. WSJ’s digital products offer both free and premium content and are comprised of WSJ.com, WSJ mobile products, including a responsive design website and applications for multiple mobile devices (WSJ Mobile), and live and on-demand video through WSJ.com and other platforms such as YouTube, Internet-connected television and set-top boxes (WSJ Video). For the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, WSJ Mobile (including WSJ.com accessed via mobile devices, as well as applications) accounted for approximately 54% of visits to WSJ’s digital news and information products according to Adobe Analytics.

 

   

Dow Jones Media Group. The Dow Jones Media Group focuses on Dow Jones consumer brands outside of The Wall Street Journal franchise, including Barron’s and MarketWatch, among other properties.

Barron’s. Barron’s, which is available in print, online and on multiple mobile, tablet and e-book devices, delivers news, analysis, investigative reporting, company profiles and insightful statistics for investors and others interested in the investment world.

MarketWatch. MarketWatch is an investing and financial news website targeting active investors. It also provides real-time commentary and investment tools and data. Products include mobile and

 

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tablet applications, a mobile site and MarketWatch Premium Newsletters (paid newsletters on a variety of investing topics).

 

   

The Wall Street Journal Digital Network (WSJDN). WSJDN offers advertisers the opportunity to reach Dow Jones’s audience across a number of brands, including the WSJ.com, Barrons.com and MarketWatch.com websites.

The following table provides information regarding issue sales and subscriptions for certain Dow Jones consumer products.

 

     The Wall Street Journal(1)      Barron’s(1)  
(in 000’s)    Average
Global  Issue
Sales(2)
     Average
Global
Subscriptions
     Average
Global  Issue
Sales(2)
     Average
Global
Subscriptions
 

Print(3)

     1,240        1,007        305        292  

Digital Only

     1,281        1,270        152        152  

Total

     2,521        2,277        457        444  

 

(1) 

Based on internal data for the period from April 3, 2017 to July 2, 2017, with independent assurance provided by Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP UK.

(2) 

Average Global Issue Sales includes subscription and non-subscription categories. Non-subscription categories include, but are not limited to, single copy (newsstand) sales and copies purchased by hotels for distribution to guests.

(3) 

In addition to their print and digital-only products, The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s sell print and digital products bundled into one subscription, which is counted only once, under “Print,” in the table above.

The following table provides information regarding the digital platforms for certain Dow Jones consumer products.

 

     FY2017 Average
Monthly Visits(1)
 

WSJ

     95 million  

MarketWatch

     49 million  

WSJDN

     158 million  

 

(1) 

Includes visits via websites and mobile device and tablet applications based on Adobe Analytics for the 12 months ended June 30, 2017.

Professional Information Products

Dow Jones’s professional information products, which target enterprise customers, combine news and information with technology and tools that inform decisions and aid awareness, research and understanding. These products are designed to be integral to the success of Dow Jones’s enterprise customers, and Dow Jones expects to continue to build strong customer relationships by providing high levels of service and continued innovation through news, data and tools that meet its customers’ specific needs. These products include the following:

 

   

Knowledge and Insight. Dow Jones Knowledge and Insight products provide data and analysis from curated sources and include:

Factiva. Factiva is a leading provider of global business content, built on an archive of important, original publishing sources. This combination of business news and information, plus sophisticated tools, helps professionals find, monitor, interpret and share essential information. As of June 30, 2017, there were approximately 1.2 million activated Factiva users, including both institutional and individual accounts. Factiva offers content from over 32,000 global news and information sources from nearly 200 countries and in 28 languages. Factiva leverages complex

 

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metadata extraction and text mining to help its customers build precise searches and alerts to access and monitor this data.

Dow Jones PEVC. Dow Jones PEVC products provide news and deal data on venture capital and private equity-backed private companies and their investors to help venture capital and private equity professionals, financial services professionals and other service providers identify deal and partnership opportunities, perform due diligence and examine trends in venture capital and private equity investment, fund-raising and liquidity.

DJX. DJX is comprised of a bundle of underlying products, including Factiva, Dow Jones Newswires, certain PEVC products, including Venture Source and LP Source, certain Risk & Compliance products, WSJ.com and Barrons.com.

 

   

Dow Jones Risk & Compliance. Dow Jones Risk & Compliance products provide data solutions for customers focused on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, monitoring embargo and sanction lists and other compliance requirements. Dow Jones’s solutions allow customers to filter their business transactions against its data to identify regulatory, corporate and reputational risk, and request follow-up due diligence reports. Products include online risk data and negative news searching tools such as Risk Database Search/Research/Premium and the Risk & Compliance Portal for batch screening. Feed services include Dow Jones Watchlist, Dow Jones Anti-Corruption, Dow Jones Sanction Alert and Adverse Media Entities. In addition, Dow Jones produces customized Due Diligence Reports to assist its clients with regulatory compliance.

 

   

Dow Jones Newswires. Dow Jones Newswires distributes real-time business news, information, analysis, commentary and statistical data to financial professionals and investors worldwide. It publishes, on average, over 15,000 news items each day, which are distributed via terminals, trading platforms and websites reaching hundreds of thousands of financial professionals. This content also reaches millions of individual investors via customer portals and the intranets of brokerage and trading firms, as well as digital media publishers.

News Corp Australia

News Corp Australia is one of the leading news and information providers in Australia by readership and circulation, owning over 200 newspapers covering a national, regional and suburban footprint. As of December 31, 2016, its daily, Sunday, weekly and bi-weekly newspapers accounted for more than 63% of the total circulation of newspapers in Australia, and during the year ended May 31, 2017, its Sunday newspaper network was read by approximately 3.2 million Australians on average every week. In addition, its digital mastheads and other websites are among the leading digital news properties in Australia based on monthly unique audience data.

News Corp Australia’s news portfolio includes The Australian and The Weekend Australian (National), The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney), Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne), The Courier Mail and The Sunday Mail (Brisbane) and The Advertiser and Sunday Mail (Adelaide), as well as paid digital platforms for each. In addition, News Corp Australia owns a large number of community newspapers in all major capital cities and leading regional publications in Cairns, Gold Coast, Townsville and Geelong and in the other capital cities of Hobart and Darwin. In December 2016, News Corp Australia also acquired Australian Regional Media (“ARM”), which operates a portfolio of regional print assets and websites that extends the reach

 

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of its Australian newspaper business. The following table provides information regarding key properties within News Corp Australia’s portfolio:

 

     Average Daily Paid
Print Circulation(1)
     Total Paid Subscribers for
Combined Masthead
(Print and Digital)(2)
     Total Monthly Audience
for Combined Masthead
(Print and Digital)(3)
 

The Australian (Mon – Fri)

     99,000        127,000        3.2 million  

The Weekend Australian (Sat)

     224,000        

The Daily Telegraph (Mon – Sat)

     237,000        122,000        4.6 million  

The Sunday Telegraph

     413,000        

Herald Sun (Mon – Sat)

     325,000        109,000        4.1 million  

Sunday Herald Sun

     380,000        

The Courier Mail (Mon – Sat)

     149,000        79,000        3.0 million  

The Sunday Mail

     318,000        

The Advertiser (Mon – Sat)

     128,000        112,000        1.5 million  

Sunday Mail

     198,000        

 

(1) 

Based on Audit Bureau of Circulation (“ABC”) data for the year ended December 31, 2016.

(2) 

As of June 30, 2017, based on internal sources.

(3) 

For the month of May 2017, based on Enhanced Media Metrics Australia (“EMMA”) average monthly print data for the year ended May 31, 2017 and Nielsen desktop, mobile and tablet audience data for May 2017. EMMA data incorporates more frequent sampling and combines both online usage derived from Nielsen data and print usage into a single metric that removes any audience overlap.

News Corp Australia’s broad portfolio of digital properties also includes news.com.au, the leading general interest site in Australia that provides breaking news, finance, entertainment, lifestyle, technology and sports news and delivers an average monthly unique audience of approximately 5.7 million based on Nielsen monthly total audience ratings for the year ended June 30, 2017. In addition, News Corp Australia owns other premier properties such as taste.com.au, a leading food and recipe site, and kidspot.com.au, a leading parenting website, as well as various other digital media assets. As of June 30, 2017, News Corp Australia’s other assets included a 13.40% interest in HT&E Limited (formerly APN News and Media Limited), which operates a portfolio of Australian radio and outdoor media assets, a 13.75% interest in SEEKAsia Limited, which operates leading online employment marketplaces throughout Southeast Asia, and a 25% interest in Hipages Group Pty Ltd., which operates a leading on-demand home improvement services marketplace.

News UK

News UK publishes The Sun, The Sun on Sunday, The Times and The Sunday Times, which are leading newspapers in the U.K. As of June 30, 2017, sales of these four titles accounted for approximately one-third of all national newspaper sales in the U.K, and The Sun is the most read national newspaper in the U.K. News UK’s newspapers (except some Saturday and Sunday supplements) are printed at News UK’s world-class printing facilities in England, Scotland and Ireland. In addition to revenue from the sale of advertising, circulation and subscriptions to its print and digital products, News UK generates revenue by providing third party printing services through these facilities and is one of the largest contract printers in the U.K. News UK also distributes content through its digital platforms, including its websites, thesun.co.uk, thetimes.co.uk and thesundaytimes.co.uk, as well as mobile and tablet applications. News UK’s online and mobile offerings include the rights to show English Premier League Football, English Premiership Rugby Union and UEFA Champions League and Europa League match clips across its digital platforms. In addition, News UK has assembled a

 

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portfolio of complementary ancillary product offerings, including Sun Bingo and Sun Bets, an online sports betting service. The following table provides information regarding News UK’s news portfolio:

 

     Average  Issue
Readership(1)
     Average Daily Paid
Print Circulation(2)
     Paid Subscribers(3)    Online Global
Monthly Unique
Visitors(5)
 

The Sun (Mon – Sat)

     3,405,000        1,600,910      N/A      85 million  

The Sun on Sunday

     3,007,000        1,359,334      N/A   

The Times (Mon – Sat)

     1,092,000        448,905      180,000 (print)(4)
171,000 (digital)
     N/A  

The Sunday Times

     1,830,000        791,360      213,000 (print)(4)
189,000 (digital)
     N/A  

 

(1) 

Based on National Readership Survey / Audience Measurement for Publishers (75% / 25% blend) data for the six months ended March 31, 2017.

(2) 

Based on ABC data for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

(3) 

As of June 30, 2017, based on internal sources.

(4) 

In addition to their print and digital-only products, The Times and The Sunday Times sell print and digital products bundled into one subscription, which is counted only once, under “print,” in the table above.

(5) 

Based on ABC Electronic (Omniture) data for the month ended June 30, 2017.

New York Post

NYP Holdings (“NYP”) is the publisher of the New York Post (the “Post”), NYPost.com, PageSix.com, Decider.com and related mobile and tablet applications and social media channels. The Post is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the U.S., with a focus on coverage of the New York metropolitan area. The Post provides a variety of general interest content ranging from breaking news to business analysis, and is known in particular for its comprehensive sports coverage, famous headlines and its iconic Page Six section, an authority on celebrity news. The print version of the Post is primarily distributed in New York, where it is printed in a printing facility in the Bronx, as well as throughout the Northeast, Florida and California, where it uses Dow Jones’s printing facilities or third party printers. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, average weekday circulation based on Alliance for Audited Media data, including mobile and tablet application digital editions, was 413,452. In addition, the Post Digital Network, which includes NYPost.com, PageSix.com and Decider.com, reached approximately 68.9 million unique users on average each month during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 according to Google Analytics. NYP also co-produces “Page Six TV,” a daily television show modeled after the Post’s Page Six section and delivering in-the-know gossip and news from entertainment, culture, the media, finance, real estate and politics.

News America Marketing

News America Marketing (“NAM”) is the premier marketing partner of some of the world’s most well-known brands, and its broad network of shopper media, incentive platforms and custom merchandising services influences the purchasing decisions of online and offline shoppers across the U.S. and Canada. NAM’s marketing solutions are available via multiple distribution channels, including publications, in stores and online, primarily under the SmartSource brand name and through the Checkout 51 mobile application.

NAM provides customers with solutions across the shopper’s path to purchase, focusing primarily on the following three business areas:

 

   

Home-Delivered: NAM is one of the leading providers of home-delivered shopper media, including free-standing inserts and direct mail products. Free-standing inserts are multiple-page marketing booklets containing coupons, rebates and other consumer offers, which are distributed to millions of households under the SmartSource Magazine® brand through insertion primarily into local Sunday

 

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publications. Advertisers, primarily packaged goods companies, pay NAM to produce free-standing inserts where their offers are featured, often on an exclusive basis within their product category. NAM contracts with and pays publishers as well as printers, among others, to produce and/or distribute free-standing inserts in their papers.

 

   

In-Store Advertising and Merchandising: NAM is a leading provider of in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers. NAM’s marketing products include at-shelf advertising such as coupon, information and sample-dispensing machines, as well as floor and shopping cart advertising, among others, and are found in thousands of shopping locations, including supermarkets, drug stores, dollar stores, office supply stores, mass merchandisers and specialty stores across North America. NAM also provides in-store merchandising services, including production and installation of instant-redeemable coupons, on-pack stickers, shipper assembly, display set-up and refilling, shelf management and new product cut-ins.

 

   

Mobile/Digital: NAM’s digital marketing solutions include SmartSource Digital, which encompasses secure printable couponing, load-to-card couponing, targeted email campaigns and programmatic digital display, and the Checkout 51 mobile application, a leading receipt recognition application that enables packaged goods companies and brands to reach consumers with highly personalized marketing campaigns.

NAM believes its programs have key advantages when compared to other marketing options available to packaged goods companies, retailers and other marketers. NAM offers effective and targeted programs that reach a national audience of consumers who are actively seeking incentives or information at critical points along the path to purchase.

The Company’s News and Information Services products compete with a wide range of media businesses, including print publications, digital media and information services.

The Company’s newspapers, magazines, digital publications and radio stations compete for consumers, audience and advertising with other local and national newspapers, web and application-based media, magazines and radio stations, social media sources, as well as other media such as television and outdoor displays. Competition for subscriptions and circulation is based on news and editorial content, subscription pricing, cover price and, from time to time, various promotions. Competition for advertising is based upon advertisers’ judgments as to the most effective media for their advertising budgets, which is in turn based upon various factors, including circulation volume, readership levels, audience demographics, advertising rates and advertising effectiveness. As a result of rapidly changing and evolving technologies, distribution platforms and business models, the consumer-focused businesses within the Company’s News and Information Services segment, including its newspaper businesses, continue to face increasing competition for both circulation and advertising revenue from a variety of alternative news and information sources. These include both paid and free websites, digital applications, news aggregators, blogs, search engines, social media platforms, digital advertising networks and exchanges, bidding and other programmatic advertising buying channels, as well as other emerging media and distribution platforms. Shifts in consumer behavior, including the widespread adoption of mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices as platforms through which news and information is consumed, require the Company to continually innovate and improve upon its own products, services and platforms in order to remain competitive. The Company believes that these changes will continue to pose opportunities and challenges, and that it is well positioned to leverage its global reach, brand recognition and proprietary technology to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these changes.

Dow Jones professional information products that target enterprise customers compete with various information service providers, compliance data providers and global financial newswires, including Thomson Reuters, Bloomberg L.P., LexisNexis, as well as many other providers of news, information and compliance data.

 

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NAM competes against other providers of advertising, marketing and merchandising products and services, including those that provide promotional or advertising inserts, direct mailers of promotional or advertising materials, providers of point-of-purchase and other in-store programs and providers of savings and/or grocery-focused digital applications, as well as other marketing products and services. Competition is based on, among other things, rates, availability of markets, quality of products and services provided and their effectiveness, rate of coupon redemption, store coverage and other factors. The Company believes that based on the scale of NAM’s home-delivered products, the reach of its in-store marketing products and the growing audience for its digital marketing platform, NAM provides broader consumer access than many of its competitors. The Company is also actively investing in shopper research and data-based insights that enable an advanced understanding of how to apply the Company’s media and incentive network to achieve the greatest impact and value for clients and partners.

Book Publishing

The Company’s Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins Publishers (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, “HarperCollins”), the second largest consumer book publisher in the world based on global revenue, with operations in 18 countries. HarperCollins publishes and distributes consumer books globally through print, digital and audio formats. Its digital formats include e-books and audio books for tablets, e-book readers and mobile devices. HarperCollins owns more than 120 branded imprints, including Harper, William Morrow, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Avon, Harlequin and Christian publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson.

HarperCollins publishes works by well-known authors such as Harper Lee, Patricia Cornwell, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Rick Warren, Sarah Young and Agatha Christie and popular titles such as The Hobbit, Goodnight Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jesus Calling and Hillbilly Elegy. Its print and digital global catalog includes more than 200,000 publications in different formats, in 17 languages, and it licenses rights for its authors’ works to be published in more than 50 languages around the world. HarperCollins publishes fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on general, children’s and religious content. Additionally, in the U.K., HarperCollins publishes titles for the equivalent of the K-12 educational market.

As of June 30, 2017, HarperCollins offered approximately 100,000 publications in digital formats, and nearly all of HarperCollins’ new titles, as well as the majority of its entire catalog, are available as e-books. Digital sales, comprising revenues generated through the sale of e-books as well as digital audio books, represented approximately 19% of global consumer revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. With the widespread adoption of electronic formats by consumers, HarperCollins is publishing a number of titles in digital formats before, or instead of, publishing a print edition.

During fiscal 2017, HarperCollins U.S. had 184 titles on the New York Times print and digital bestseller lists, with 20 titles hitting number one, including Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, Settle for More by Megyn Kelly, The Black Widow by Daniel Silva, Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines, Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

HarperCollins derives its revenue from the sale of print and digital books to a customer base that includes global technology companies, traditional brick and mortar booksellers, wholesale clubs and discount stores, including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and Tesco. Revenues at the Book Publishing segment are significantly affected by the timing of releases and the number of HarperCollins’ books in the marketplace, and are typically highest during the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to increased demand during the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies.

The book publishing business operates in a highly competitive market that is quickly changing and continues to see technological innovations. HarperCollins competes with other large publishers, such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Hachette Livre, as well as with numerous smaller publishers, for the rights to

 

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works by well-known authors and public personalities; competition could also come from new entrants as barriers to entry in book publishing are low. In addition, HarperCollins competes for consumers with other media formats and sources such as movies, television programming, magazines and mobile content. The Company believes HarperCollins is well positioned in the evolving book publishing market with significant size and brand recognition across multiple categories and geographies. Furthermore, HarperCollins is a leader in children’s and religious books, categories which have been less impacted by the transition to digital consumption.

Digital Real Estate Services

The Company’s Digital Real Estate Services segment consists primarily of its 61.6% interest in REA Group Limited (“REA Group”), a publicly-traded company listed on ASX (ASX: REA), and its 80% interest in Move, Inc. (“Move”). The remaining 20% interest in Move is held by REA Group. This segment also includes DIAKRIT International Limited (“DIAKRIT”), a leader in 3D visualization products, digital sales applications and professional services for the real estate industry.

REA Group

REA Group advertises property and property-related services on its websites and mobile applications across Australia and Asia. REA Group’s Australian operations include realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au, Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites, as well as its media and property-related services businesses, serving the display media market and markets adjacent to property, respectively. Combined average monthly visits to realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au for the year ended June 30, 2017 increased 15% year-over-year to approximately 51.7 million according to Nielsen Online Market Intelligence Home and Fashion Suite. Realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au recorded an increase of 52% in total application launches for the same period as compared to the prior year according to Adobe Analytics. Realestate.com.au derives the majority of its revenue from its core property advertising listing products and monthly advertising subscriptions from real estate agents and property developers. Realestate.com.au offers a product hierarchy which enables real estate agents and property developers to upgrade listing advertisements to increase their prominence on the site, as well as a variety of targeted products, including media display advertising products. Realcommercial.com.au generates revenue through three main sources: agent subscriptions, agent branding and listing products. The media business offers unique advertising opportunities on both realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au to property developers and other relevant markets, including utilities and telecommunications, insurance, finance, automotive and retail.

REA Group’s international operations consist of property sites throughout Asia, including an 87% interest in iProperty Group Limited, which operates leading property portals across Malaysia and Indonesia and prominent portals in Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. Visits to the Malaysian portal increased 38% and application visits in Indonesia grew 94% for the year ended June 30, 2017 compared to the prior year according to Google Analytics. REA Group also operates Chinese site myfun.com, which supports REA Group’s businesses in other geographic markets by showcasing residential property listings to Chinese buyers and investors, and delivers leads to agents. In January 2017, REA Group acquired an approximate 15% interest in Elara Technologies Pte. Ltd. (“Elara”), a leading online real estate services provider in India that owns and operates PropTiger.com, Housing.com and Makaan.com. REA Group also owns a 20% interest in Move, as referenced above.

REA Group competes primarily with other property websites in its geographic markets, including domain.com.au in Australia.

Move

Move is a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S. Move primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace, under a perpetual agreement and trademark license

 

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with the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”). Through realtor.com®, consumers have access to over 120 million properties across the U.S., including the most complete collection of homes and properties listed with Multiple Listing Services (“MLS”) and displayed for sale among the competing national online portals and an extensive database of “off-market” properties. Realtor.com® and its related mobile applications display approximately 98% of all MLS-listed, for-sale properties in the U.S., which are primarily sourced directly from relationships with MLSs across the country. Approximately 95% of its for-sale listings are updated at least every 15 minutes, on average, with the remaining listings updated daily. Realtor.com®’s content advantage attracts a highly engaged consumer audience. Based on internal data, realtor.com® and its mobile sites had 58 million average monthly unique users during the quarter ended June 30, 2017. These users viewed an average of over two billion pages and spent an average of over one billion minutes on the realtor.com® website and mobile applications each month.

Realtor.com® generates the majority of its revenues through the sale of listing advertisement products, including ConnectionsSM for Buyers and AdvantageSM Pro, which allow real estate agents, brokers and franchises to enhance, prioritize and connect with consumers on for-sale property listings within the realtor.com® website and mobile applications. Listing advertisements are typically sold on a subscription basis. Realtor.com® also derives revenue from sales of non-listing advertisement, or Media, products to real estate, finance, insurance, home improvement and other professionals that enable those professionals to connect with realtor.com®’s highly engaged and valuable consumer audience. Media products include sponsorships, display advertisements, text links, directories and Digital Advertising Package. Non-listing advertisement pricing models include cost per thousand, cost per click, cost per unique user and subscription-based sponsorships of specific content areas or targeted geographies.

In addition to realtor.com®, Move also offers a number of professional software and services products. These include the Top Producer® and FiveStreet® productivity and lead management tools and services, which are tailored to real estate agents and sold on a subscription basis, as well as the ListHubTM service, which syndicates for-sale listing information from MLSs and other reliable data sources, such as real estate brokerages, and distributes that content to an array of web sites. Listing syndication pricing includes fixed- or variable-pricing models based on listing counts, while ListHubTM’s advanced reporting products are sold on a monthly subscription basis.

Move competes primarily with other real estate websites focused on the U.S. real estate market, including zillow.com and trulia.com.

Cable Network Programming

The Company’s Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia and Australian News Channel Pty Ltd (“ANC”).

FOX SPORTS Australia

FOX SPORTS Australia is the leading sports programming provider in Australia based on total viewing hours as of June 30, 2017. FOX SPORTS Australia is focused on live national and international sports events and provides featured original and licensed premium sports content tailored to the Australian market, including live sports such as National Rugby League, the domestic football league, international cricket and the Australian Rugby Union, as well as various motorsports programming. FOX SPORTS Australia offers eight high definition television channels distributed via cable, satellite and Internet Protocol, or IP, and several interactive viewing applications. Its channels consist of FOX SPORTS 501, FOX LEAGUE, FOX SPORTS 503, FOX FOOTY, FOX SPORTS 505, FOX SPORTS 506, FOX SPORTS MORE and FOX SPORTS NEWS that broadcast over 13,000 hours of live sports programming per year reaching FOXTEL, Telstra and Optus subscription television customers. FOX SPORTS Australia’s access to compelling local and international sports programming, as well as its production of high-quality original sports content has made it the leading sports programming provider in

 

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Australia. FOX SPORTS Australia also operates foxsports.com.au, a leading general sports website in Australia, and offers several interactive mobile and tablet applications that extend the reach of its content across multiple platforms. FOX SPORTS Australia is distributed via longstanding carriage agreements with pay-TV providers (mainly Foxtel) in Australia and generates revenue primarily through affiliate fees payable under these carriage agreements, as well as advertising sales. Results at the Cable Network Programming segment can fluctuate due to the timing and mix of the Company’s local and international sports programming, as expenses associated with licensing certain programming rights are recognized during the applicable season or event.

FOX SPORTS Australia competes primarily with ESPN, beIN SPORTS, the Free-To-Air (“FTA”) channels and certain telecommunications companies in Australia.

Australian News Channel

ANC, acquired in December 2016, owns and operates six channels featuring the latest in news, politics, sports, entertainment, public affairs, business and weather. ANC is licensed by Sky International AG to use Sky trademarks and domain names in connection with its operation and distribution of channels and services. ANC’s channels consist of SKY NEWS LIVE, SKY NEWS BUSINESS, SKY NEWS WEATHER, SKY NEWS Multiview, A-PAC Australia’s Public Affairs Channel and SKY NEWS New Zealand. ANC channels are broadcast throughout Australia and New Zealand and available on Foxtel and Sky Television. ANC also owns and operates the international Australia Channel IPTV service and offers content across a variety of digital media platforms, including mobile, podcasts and social media websites.

ANC competes primarily with other news providers in Australia and New Zealand via its subscription television channels, third party content arrangements and free domain website. Its Australia Channel IPTV service also competes against “over-the-top” IPTV subscription-based news providers in regions outside of Australia and New Zealand.

Other

The Other segment includes the Company’s general corporate overhead expenses, corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across the Company’s businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions, investments and dispositions. Initiatives include News IQ, the Company’s new data-driven digital advertising platform that will enable targeting and engagement of audiences at scale across our network of assets. As part of its ongoing role in assessing potential acquisitions and investments, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group also oversaw the Company’s acquisitions of Move, a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S., and Unruly, a leading global video advertising distribution platform, as well as its strategic digital investments in India, including Elara, which owns PropTiger.com, Housing.com and Makaan.com.

Equity Investments

Foxtel

The Company and Telstra, an ASX-listed telecommunications company, each own 50% of Foxtel, the largest pay-TV provider in Australia. Foxtel had approximately 2.8 million subscribing households throughout Australia as of June 30, 2017 through cable, satellite and IP distribution.

Foxtel delivers 200 channels (including standard definition channels, high definition versions of some of those channels and audio and interactive channels) covering news, sports, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming. Foxtel’s premium content includes FOX SPORTS Australia’s suite of sports channels such as FOX SPORTS 501, FOX LEAGUE, FOX SPORTS 503, FOX

 

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FOOTY, FOX SPORTS 505, FOX SPORTS 506, FOX SPORTS MORE and FOX SPORTS NEWS, and television content from HBO, FOX and Universal, among others. Foxtel also owns and operates 30 channels, including general entertainment and movie channels, and sources an extensive range of movie programming through arrangements with major U.S. studios. Foxtel’s channels are distributed to subscribers via both Telstra’s hybrid fibrecoaxial cable network and a long-term contracted satellite platform provided by Optus. Cable and satellite distribution is enabled by Foxtel’s set-top boxes, including the iQ3. Foxtel also offers versions of its services via the Internet through Foxtel Now, an Internet television service available on a number of compatible devices (including mobile phones, tablets, personal computers, Chromecast, Telstra TV, Sony PlayStation, Xbox One and select smart TVs), and Foxtel App, an Internet television service that allows subscribers to watch Foxtel channels via mobile devices and tablets. Foxtel also offers a triple play bundle product, which consists of Foxtel’s existing pay-TV services, sold together with broadband and/or home phone services.

Foxtel generates revenue primarily through subscription revenue as well as advertising revenue. For the year ended June 30, 2017, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Foxtel recorded revenues of $2.4 billion, net income of $59 million and earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of $568 million. Management believes that EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of this business for the reasons set forth in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations—Segment Analysis” with respect to Segment EBITDA. In the year ended June 30, 2017, Foxtel’s average broadcast residential recurring subscription revenue per user, or ARPU, was A$86 (US$65) per month (as calculated by Foxtel), and its annualized residential subscriber churn rate based on data for the year ended June 30, 2017 was 15.1% (as calculated by Foxtel). In addition, Foxtel had approximately $1.65 billion of indebtedness outstanding as of June 30, 2017 (excluding $740 million of shareholder loans due to Telstra and the Company). The amount included for Foxtel in the Company’s Equity earnings of affiliates was $(265) million for the year ended June 30, 2017.

The Company and Telstra each have the right to appoint one-half of the board of directors of Foxtel. In addition, the Company has the right to appoint the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Foxtel, while Telstra has the right to terminate these officers.

Foxtel competes for audiences primarily with FTA TV operators in Australia, including the three major commercial FTA networks and two major government-funded FTA broadcasters, as well as other pay-TV operators, IP television providers and subscription video-on-demand services such as Fetch TV, Netflix, Stan and Amazon Prime Video. Foxtel provides a 200-channel selection with premium and exclusive content and a wide array of digital and mobile features that are not available to viewers on these alternative providers. Through innovations such as digital HD channels, the extension of pay-TV programming to mobile devices, the use of DVR and Electronic Program Guide technology, including the iQ3 set-top box, its investment in On Demand capability and programming and benefits through broadband bundling, the Company believes Foxtel offers subscribers a compelling alternative to its competitors.

Governmental Regulation

General

Various aspects of the Company’s activities are subject to regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world. The introduction of new laws and regulations in countries where the Company’s products and services are produced or distributed, and changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations in those countries, could have a negative impact on the Company’s interests.

Australian Media Regulation

The Company’s subscription television interests are subject to Australia’s regulatory framework for the broadcasting industry. The key regulatory body for the Australian broadcasting industry is the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

 

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Key regulatory issues for subscription television providers include: (a) anti-siphoning restrictions—currently under the ‘anti-siphoning’ provisions of the Australian Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth), subscription television providers are prevented from acquiring rights to televise certain listed events (for example, the Olympic Games and certain Australian Rules football and cricket matches) unless national and commercial television broadcasters have not obtained these rights 12 weeks before the start of the event or the rights to televise are also held by commercial television licensees who have rights to televise the event to more than 50% of the Australian population or the rights to televise are also held by one of Australia’s two major government-funded broadcasters; and (b) the Broadcasting Services Act also may impact the Company’s ownership structure and operations and restrict its ability to take advantage of acquisition or investment opportunities including, for example, preventing it from exercising control of a commercial television broadcasting license, a commercial radio license and a newspaper in the same license area.

Data Privacy and Security

Our business activities are subject to laws and regulations governing the collection, use, sharing, protection and retention of personal data, which continue to evolve and have implications for how such data is managed. For example, in the U.S., certain of the Company’s websites, mobile applications and other online business activities are subject to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, which prohibits websites from collecting personally identifiable information online from children under age 13 without prior parental consent. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission continues to expand its application of general consumer protection laws to commercial data practices, including to the use of personal and profiling data from online users to deliver targeted Internet advertisements. Most states have also enacted legislation regulating data privacy and security, including laws requiring businesses to provide notice to state agencies and to individuals whose personally identifiable information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach.

Similar laws and regulations have been implemented in many of the other jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including the European Union and Australia. For example, the European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which is intended to provide a uniform set of rules for personal data processing throughout the European Union and to replace the existing Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC). Fully applicable and enforceable as of May 25, 2018, the GDPR expands the regulation of the collection, processing, use and security of personal data, contains stringent conditions for consent from data subjects, strengthens the rights of individuals, including the right to have personal data deleted upon request, continues to restrict the trans-border flow of such data, requires companies to conduct privacy impact assessments to evaluate data processing operations that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, requires mandatory data breach reporting and notification, significantly increases penalties for non-compliance (up to 20 million Euros, or approximately 23 million U.S. dollars, or 4% of an entity’s worldwide annual turnover in the preceding financial year, whichever is higher) and increases the enforcement powers of the data protection authorities. The European Union is also considering an update to its Privacy and Electronic Communication (e-Privacy) Directive to, among other things, amend the current directive’s rules on the use of cookies.

In 2015, the European Court of Justice invalidated the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor framework, one of the legal mechanisms through which personal data could be transferred from the European Union to the United States, and the mechanism relied upon by the Company with respect to certain personal data transfers among the Company’s businesses, and between the Company and some of its third party service providers. In 2016, the European Commission adopted a new transfer mechanism between the U.S. and the E.U. called the Privacy Shield. The Company has not certified to, and does not rely on, the Privacy Shield framework for data transfers among the Company’s businesses and instead relies on other mechanisms. However, certain of the Company’s service providers do rely on the Privacy Shield. The Privacy Shield is subject to significant uncertainty, including an annual review procedure by U.S. and E.U. authorities, that could affect the Company’s or its service providers’ obligations thereunder. The other mechanisms that the Company and certain of its service providers rely on to address the European data protection requirements for transfers of data, including the European Union standard

 

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Model Contractual Clauses, are also subject to uncertainty and legal challenges. Challenges to existing data transfer mechanisms, and any future legal challenges to data transfer mechanisms that may be adopted, could cause the Company to incur additional costs, require us to change business practices or affect the manner in which we provide our services.

In Australia, data privacy laws impose additional requirements on organizations that handle personal data by, among other things, requiring the disclosure of cross-border data transfers, placing restrictions on direct marketing practices and imposing mandatory data breach reporting, and additional data privacy and security requirements and industry standards are under consideration.

Industry participants in the U.S., Europe and Australia have taken steps to increase compliance with relevant industry-level standards and practices, including the implementation of self-regulatory regimes for online behavioral advertising that impose obligations on participating companies, such as the Company, to give consumers a better understanding of advertisements that are customized based on their online behavior.

The interpretation and application of data privacy and security laws are often uncertain, in flux, and evolving in the United States and internationally. The Company continues to monitor pending legislation and regulatory initiatives to ascertain relevance, analyze impact and develop strategic direction surrounding regulatory trends and developments, including any changes required in the Company’s data privacy and security compliance programs.

U.K. Press Regulation

As a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Leveson inquiry into the U.K. press, which was established by former Prime Minister David Cameron in mid-2011, a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press was granted in 2013, which established a Press Recognition Panel responsible for approving, overseeing and monitoring a new press regulatory body or bodies. Once approved by the Press Recognition Panel, the new press regulatory body or bodies would be responsible for overseeing participating publishers. In addition to the Royal Charter and establishment of the new Press Recognition Panel, legislation has been passed that provides that publishers who are not members of an approved regulator may be liable for exemplary damages in certain cases where such damages are not currently awarded and, if Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 is enacted, the payment of costs for both parties in libel actions in certain circumstances.

In late 2013, publications representing the majority of the industry in the U.K., including News UK, entered into binding contracts to form an alternative new regulator instead, the Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO. IPSO, which began operating in September 2014, currently has no plans to apply for recognition from the Press Recognition Panel. IPSO has an independent chairman and a 12-member board, the majority of which are independent. IPSO oversees the Editors’ Code of Practice, requires members to implement appropriate internal governance processes and requires self-reporting of any failures, provides a complaints handling service, has the ability to require publications to print corrections and has the power to investigate serious or systemic breaches of the Editors’ Code of Practice and levy fines of up to £1 million. IPSO has also introduced a pilot arbitration scheme to resolve claims against publications. The burdens IPSO imposes on the print media, including the Company’s newspaper publishing businesses in the U.K., may result in competitive disadvantages versus other forms of media and may increase the costs of regulatory compliance.

U.K. Radio Broadcasting Regulation

The Company’s radio stations in the U.K. and Ireland are also subject to governmental regulation by the relevant broadcast authorities as the Company is required to obtain and maintain licenses from such authorities to operate these stations. Although the Company expects its licenses will, where relevant, be renewed in the ordinary course upon their expiration, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Non-compliance by the Company with the requirements associated with such licenses or other applicable laws and regulations, including of the relevant

 

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authority, could result in fines, additional license conditions, license revocation or other adverse regulatory actions.

Intellectual Property

The Company’s intellectual property assets include: copyrights in newspapers, books, television programming and other content and technologies; trademarks in names and logos; trade names; domain names; and licenses of intellectual property rights. In addition, its intellectual property assets include patents or patent applications for inventions related to its products, business methods and/or services, none of which are material to its financial condition or results of operations. The Company derives value and revenue from these assets through, among other things, print and digital newspaper and magazine subscriptions and sales, the sale, distribution and/or licensing of print and digital books, the sale of subscriptions to its content and information services, the operation of websites and other digital properties and the distribution and/or licensing of its television programming to cable and satellite television services.

The Company devotes significant resources to protecting its intellectual property assets in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and other foreign territories. To protect these assets, the Company relies upon a combination of copyright, trademark, unfair competition, patent, trade secret and other laws and contract provisions. However, there can be no assurance of the degree to which these measures will be successful in any given case. Policing unauthorized use of the Company’s products, services and content and related intellectual property is often difficult and the steps taken may not in every case prevent the infringement by unauthorized third parties of the Company’s intellectual property. The Company seeks to limit such threat through a combination of approaches, including pursuing legal sanctions for infringement, promoting appropriate legislative initiatives and international treaties and enhancing public awareness of the meaning and value of intellectual property and intellectual property laws. Piracy, including in the digital environment, continues to present a threat to revenues from products and services based on intellectual property.

Third parties may challenge the validity or scope of the Company’s intellectual property from time to time, and such challenges could result in the limitation or loss of intellectual property rights. Irrespective of their validity, such claims may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations. Moreover, effective intellectual property protection may be either unavailable or limited in certain foreign territories. Therefore, the Company engages in efforts to strengthen and update intellectual property protection around the world, including efforts to ensure the effective enforcement of intellectual property laws and remedies for infringement.

Raw Materials

As a major publisher of newspapers, magazines, free-standing inserts and books, the Company utilizes substantial quantities of various types of paper. In order to obtain the best available prices, substantially all of the Company’s paper purchasing is done on a regional, volume purchase basis, and draws upon major paper manufacturing countries around the world. The Company believes that under present market conditions, its sources of paper supply used in its publishing activities are adequate.

Employees

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately 26,000 employees, of whom approximately 9,000 were located in the U.S., 4,000 were located in the U.K. and 9,000 were located in Australia. Of the Company’s employees, approximately 5,000 were represented by various employee unions. The contracts with such unions will expire during various times over the next several years. The Company believes its current relationships with employees are generally good.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in evaluating the Company and its common stock. Any of the following risks, or other risks or uncertainties not presently known or currently deemed immaterial, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition, and could, in turn, impact the trading price of the Company’s common stock.

A Decline in Customer Advertising Expenditures in the Company’s Newspaper and Other Businesses Could Cause its Revenues and Operating Results to Decline Significantly in any Given Period or in Specific Markets.

The Company derives substantial revenues from the sale of advertising through its newspapers, integrated marketing services, digital media properties and radio stations. The Company and its affiliates also derive revenues from the sale of advertising on their cable channels and pay-TV programming. Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic and business conditions, as well as budgeting and buying patterns. National and local economic conditions, particularly in major metropolitan markets, affect the levels of retail, national and classified advertising revenue. Changes in gross domestic product, consumer spending, housing sales, auto sales, unemployment rates and job creation, as well as federal, state and local election cycles, all impact demand for advertising. Certain sectors of the economy account for a significant portion of the Company’s advertising revenues, including retail, technology and finance. Some of these sectors, such as retail, are more susceptible to weakness in economic conditions and have also been under pressure from increased online competition. A decline in the economic prospects of these and other advertisers or the economy in general could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities or result in consolidation or closures across various industries, which may also reduce the Company’s overall advertising revenue.

The Company’s ability to generate advertising revenue is also dependent on demand for the Company’s products and services, demographics of the customer base, advertising rates and results observed by advertisers. For example, circulation levels for the Company’s newspapers, ratings points for its cable channels and number of listeners for its radio stations are among the factors that are weighed by advertisers when determining the amount of advertising to purchase from the Company as well as advertising rates. For the Company’s digital media properties, including its digital real estate sites, advertisers use various metrics to evaluate consumer demand such as the number of visits, number of users and user engagement. Demand for the Company’s products and services depends in turn upon the Company’s ability to differentiate and distinguish those products and services and anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behaviors in a timely manner. Technological and other developments may cause changes in consumer behavior that could affect the attractiveness of the Company’s offerings to advertisers.

The increasing popularity of digital media among consumers as a source of news and other content is driving a corresponding shift in advertising from traditional print to digital, and the Company’s print advertising revenues have declined in each of its last three fiscal years. The development of new devices and technologies, as well as higher consumer engagement with other forms of digital media such as online and mobile social networking, are increasing the number of media choices and formats available to audiences, resulting in audience fragmentation and increased competition for advertising. The range of advertising choices across digital products and platforms and the large inventory of available digital advertising space have historically resulted in significantly lower rates for digital advertising than for print advertising. In addition, in the past, rates have been generally lower for mobile advertising than for desktop advertising. As a result, increasing consumer reliance on mobile devices may add additional pricing pressure. Consequently, the Company’s digital advertising revenue may not be able to replace print advertising revenue lost as a result of the shift to digital consumption.

The digital advertising market also continues to undergo significant changes that may further impact digital advertising revenues. Digital advertising networks and exchanges, real-time bidding and other programmatic

 

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buying channels that allow advertisers to buy audiences at scale are playing a more significant role in the advertising marketplace and may cause further downward pricing pressure. New delivery platforms may also lead to loss of distribution and pricing control and loss of a direct relationship with consumers. In addition, evolving standards for the delivery of digital advertising, including the industry-wide standard on viewability, as well as the development and adoption of technology designed to block, change the location of, or obscure, the display of advertising on websites and mobile devices and/or block or delete cookies, may also negatively impact digital advertising revenues. As the digital advertising market continues to evolve, the Company’s ability to compete successfully for advertising budgets will depend on, among other things, its ability to drive scale, engage and grow digital audiences, derive better demographic and other information about its users, develop new digital advertising products and formats such as branded content, and video and mobile advertising, and prove the value of its advertising and the effectiveness of the Company’s platforms to its advertising customers, including through more targeted, data-driven offerings.

While the Company has adopted a number of strategies and initiatives to address these challenges, there can be no guarantee that its efforts will be successful. If the Company is unable to demonstrate the continuing value of its various platforms and high-quality content and brands or offer advertisers unique multi-platform advertising programs, its results may suffer. A decrease in advertising expenditures by the Company’s customers, reduced demand for the Company’s offerings or a surplus of advertising inventory could lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising spending, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s businesses and assets, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s Businesses Face Significant Competition from Other Sources of News, Information and Entertainment Content.

The Company’s businesses face significant competition from other sources of news, information and entertainment content, including both traditional and new content providers. This competition has intensified as a result of the continued development of new digital and other technologies and platforms, and the Company may be adversely affected if consumers migrate to other media alternatives. For example, advertising and circulation revenues in the Company’s News and Information Services segment may continue to decline, reflecting general trends in the newspaper industry such as declining newspaper buying by younger audiences and consumers’ increasing reliance on a variety of content providers, including news aggregation websites, social media platforms and customized news feeds, for the delivery of news and information through the Internet, often without charge. Internet sites and mobile applications devoted to recruitment, automobile sales and real estate services have become significant competitors of the Company’s newspapers and websites for classified advertising sales. In addition, due to innovations in content distribution platforms, consumers are now more readily able to watch Internet-delivered content on television sets and mobile devices, in some cases also without charge, which could reduce consumer demand for the Company and its affiliates’ television programming and pay-TV services and adversely affect both its subscription revenue and advertisers’ willingness to purchase television advertising from the Company.

The Company’s ability to compete effectively depends upon its ability to differentiate and distinguish its products and services and anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behaviors, which in turn, depends on many factors both within and beyond its control. For example, the Company relies on audience acceptance of the high-quality differentiated content in its newspapers, book titles, cable channels, pay-TV programming and radio stations in order to retain and grow their audiences. Similarly, the success of the Company’s digital real estate services business depends in part on providing more comprehensive, current and accurate real estate listing data than its competitors, which the Company generally obtains through short-term arrangements with MLSs, real estate brokers, real estate agents and other third parties that may not be renewed and/or may be terminated with limited or no notice. However, when faced with a multitude of media choices, consumers may place greater value on when, where, how and at what price they consume content than they do on the source, quality or reliability of such content. Online traffic is also driven by internet search results, which are based on algorithms that may, among other things, de-prioritize the Company’s paid content. Any failure to

 

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successfully manage, and adapt to changes in, search engine optimization across the Company’s businesses could result in significant decreases in traffic to our digital properties, lower advertiser interest in those properties and increased costs if free traffic is replaced with paid traffic or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s business.

Some of the Company’s current and potential competitors may have greater resources or better competitive positions in certain areas than it does, which may allow them to respond more effectively to new technologies and changes in market conditions. If the Company is unable to compete successfully against existing or future competitors, its business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

The Company Must Respond to New Technologies and Changes in Consumer Behavior and Continue to Innovate and Provide Useful Products in Order to Remain Competitive.

Technology continues to evolve rapidly, and the resulting changes in consumer behavior and preferences create constant opportunities for new and existing competitors that can quickly render the Company’s products and services less valuable. For example, alternative methods for the delivery, storage and consumption of digital content, including the distribution of news and other content through social networking tools and on mobile and other devices, often without charge, digital distribution models for books and Internet and mobile distribution of video content via streaming and downloading, have empowered consumers to seek more control over when, where, how and at what price they consume digital content. Enhanced Internet capabilities and the development of new media channels may continue to reduce the demand for the Company’s newspapers, television programs and other products, and if the Company is unable to introduce engaging, useful and reliable new products tailored for, and available across, these new devices and platforms, including mobile, the Company’s revenues, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Other digital platforms and technologies, such as user-generated sites and self-publishing tools, have also reduced the effort and expense of producing and distributing content on a wide scale, allowing digital content providers, customers, suppliers and other third parties to compete with us, often at a lower cost. This trend may drive down the price consumers are willing to spend on the Company’s products disproportionately to the costs associated with generating content and result in relatively low barriers to entry for competing Internet-based products and services. Additional digital distribution channels, such as the Internet and online retailers, have presented, and may continue to present, challenges to the Company’s businesses, including its traditional book publishing model, which could adversely affect sales volume and/or pricing.

In order to succeed, the Company must continue to innovate to ensure that its products and services remain relevant and useful for consumers and customers. The Company may be required to incur significant capital expenditures and other costs in order to respond to new technologies, new and enhanced offerings from its competitors and changes in consumer behavior, and to attract and retain employees with the skill sets and knowledge base needed to successfully operate its digital businesses, and there is a risk that its responses and strategies to remain competitive, including distribution of its content on a “pay” basis, may not be adopted by consumers. The Company’s failure to protect and exploit the value of its content, while responding to and developing new technologies, distribution channels and platforms, products, services and business models to take advantage of advancements in technology and the latest consumer preferences could cause its customer, audience and/or user base or its advertisers to decline, in some cases precipitously, and could have a significant adverse effect on its businesses, asset values, financial condition and results of operations.

The Inability to Renew Sports Programming Rights Could Cause the Revenue of Certain of the Company’s Operating Businesses to Decline Significantly in any Given Period, and Programming Costs Could Also Increase Upon Renewal.

The sports rights contracts between certain of the Company’s operating businesses, on the one hand, and various professional sports leagues and teams, on the other, have varying duration and renewal terms. As these contracts expire, renewals on favorable terms may be sought; however, third parties may outbid the current rights holders

 

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for the rights contracts. In addition, professional sports leagues or teams may create their own networks or the renewal costs could substantially exceed the original contract cost. The loss of rights could impact the extent of the sports coverage offered by the Company and its affiliates and lead to customer or audience dissatisfaction or, in some cases, loss of customers or audiences, which could, in turn, adversely affect its revenues. Upon renewal, the Company’s results could be adversely affected if escalations in sports programming rights costs are unmatched by increases in subscriber and carriage fees and advertising rates.

Fluctuations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Results of Operations.

The Company has significant operations in a number of foreign jurisdictions and certain of its operations are conducted in foreign currencies, primarily the Australian dollar and the British pound sterling. Since the Company’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, changes in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had, and will continue to have, a currency translation impact on the Company’s earnings, which could, in turn, have an adverse effect on its reported results of operations in a given period or in specific markets. In particular, the British pound sterling experienced a significant weakening against the U.S. dollar following the U.K.’s June 2016 referendum in which voters approved the U.K.’s exit from the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit.” This weakness caused the local currency results of the Company’s U.K. operations to be translated into fewer U.S. dollars, which adversely affected our reported results. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the British pound sterling resulted in a decrease in reported revenues at our U.K. newspapers of approximately $177 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year. Exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the British pound sterling are expected to remain volatile due to recent political uncertainty in the U.K. and the negotiation of its exit from the European Union.

Weak Domestic and Global Economic Conditions and Volatility and Disruption in the Financial and Other Markets May Adversely Affect the Company’s Business.

The U.S. and global economies have undergone, and continue to experience, periods of economic and market uncertainty, including following Brexit and the most recent U.S. presidential election. These conditions have in the past resulted in, among other things, a general tightening in the credit markets, limited access to the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy, lower consumer and business spending, lower consumer net worth and a dramatic decline in the real estate market. The resulting pressure on the labor and retail markets and the downturn in consumer confidence weakened the economic climate in certain markets in which the Company does business and had an adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, including advertising revenues. Any continued or recurring economic weakness could further impact the Company’s business, reduce its advertising and other revenues and negatively impact the performance of its newspapers, books, digital real estate services business, television operations, radio stations and other consumer products and services. In addition, further volatility and disruption in the financial markets could make it more difficult and expensive for the Company to obtain financing. These conditions could also impair the ability of those with whom the Company does business to satisfy their obligations to the Company, including as a result of their inability to obtain capital on acceptable terms. The Company is particularly exposed to certain Australian business risks, including specific Australian legal and regulatory risks, consumer preferences and competition, because it holds a substantial amount of Australian assets and generated approximately 29% of its fiscal 2017 revenues from Australia. As a result, the Company’s results of operations may be adversely affected by negative developments in the Australian market. The Company also generated approximately 19% of its fiscal 2017 revenues from the U.K., which is experiencing a period of economic and market uncertainty as a result of Brexit. While the impact of Brexit is difficult to predict, it could significantly affect the fiscal, monetary and regulatory landscape, lead other member countries to consider leaving the European Union, result in additional volatility and disruption in the financial and other markets and have an

 

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adverse impact on the Company’s businesses in the U.K. and elsewhere. Although the Company believes that its capitalization, operating cash flow and current access to credit markets, including the Company’s revolving credit facility, will give it the ability to meet its financial needs for the foreseeable future, there can be no assurance that any further volatility and disruption in domestic and global capital and credit markets will not impair the Company’s liquidity or increase its cost of borrowing.

The Company Has Made and May Continue to Make Strategic Acquisitions and Investments That Introduce Significant Risks and Uncertainties.

In order to position its business to take advantage of growth opportunities, the Company has made and may continue to make strategic acquisitions and investments that involve significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: (1) the difficulty in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner, (2) the challenges in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other anticipated benefits, (3) the potential loss of key employees of the acquired businesses, (4) with respect to investments, risks associated with the inability to control the operations of the business, (5) the risk of diverting the attention of the Company’s senior management from the Company’s operations, (6) the risks associated with integrating financial reporting and internal control systems, (7) the difficulties in expanding information technology systems and other business processes to accommodate the acquired businesses, (8) potential future impairments of goodwill associated with the acquired business or investment, (9) in the case of foreign acquisitions and investments, the impact of specific economic, tax, currency, political, legal and regulatory risks associated with the relevant countries, (10) liabilities, both known and unknown, associated with the acquired businesses or investments and (11) in some cases, increased regulation.

If any acquired business or investment fails to operate as anticipated or an acquired business cannot be successfully integrated with the Company’s existing businesses, the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation could be adversely affected, and the Company may be required to record non-cash impairment charges for the write-down of certain acquired assets.

The Company Does Not Have the Right to Manage Foxtel, Which Means It is Not Able to Cause Foxtel to Operate or Make Corporate Decisions in a Manner that is Favorable to the Company.

The Company does not have the right to manage the business or affairs of Foxtel. While the Company’s rights include the right to appoint one-half of the board of directors of Foxtel, the Company is not able to cause management or the board of directors to take any specific actions on its behalf, including with regards to declaring and paying dividends.

The Company Relies on Network and Information Systems and Other Technology Whose Failure or Misuse Could Cause a Disruption of Services or Loss or Improper Disclosure of Personal Data, Business Information, Including Intellectual Property, or Other Confidential Information, Resulting in Increased Costs, Loss of Revenue or Other Harm to our Business.

Network and information systems and other technologies, including those related to the Company’s network management, are important to its business activities. The Company also relies on third party providers for certain technology and “cloud-based” systems and services that support a variety of business operations. Network and information systems-related events affecting the Company’s systems, or those of third parties upon which the Company’s business relies, such as computer compromises, cyber threats and attacks, computer viruses, worms or other destructive or disruptive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks, malicious social engineering or other malicious activities, or any combination of the foregoing, as well as power outages, equipment failure, natural disasters (including extreme weather), terrorist activities, war, human or technological error or malfeasance that may affect such systems, could result in disruption of the Company’s business and/or loss, corruption or improper disclosure of personal data, business information, including intellectual property, or other confidential information. In addition, any design or manufacturing defects in, or the improper

 

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implementation of, hardware or software applications the Company develops or procures from third parties could unexpectedly compromise information security. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of cyberattacks on companies’ network and information systems, and such attacks have become more sophisticated, targeted and difficult to detect and prevent against. As a result, the risks associated with such an event continue to increase, particularly as the Company’s digital businesses expand. The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to be subject to, cybersecurity threats and incidents, none of which have been material to the Company to date, individually or in the aggregate. While the Company and its vendors have developed and implemented security measures and internal controls that are designed to protect personal data, business information, including intellectual property, and other confidential information, to prevent data loss, and to prevent or detect security breaches, such security measures cannot provide absolute security and may not be successful in preventing these events from occurring, particularly given that techniques used to access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently, and any network and information systems-related events could require the Company to expend significant resources to remedy such event. Moreover, the development and maintenance of these measures is costly and requires ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures become more sophisticated. While the Company maintains cyber risk insurance, this insurance may not be sufficient to cover all losses from any future breaches of our systems.

A significant failure, compromise, breach or interruption of the Company’s systems, or those of third parties upon which its business relies, could result in a disruption of its operations, customer, audience or advertiser dissatisfaction, damage to its reputation or brands, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions, lawsuits, remediation costs, a loss of customers, audience, advertisers or revenues and other financial losses. If any such failure, interruption or similar event results in the improper disclosure of information maintained in the Company’s information systems and networks or those of its vendors, including financial, personal, credit card, confidential and proprietary information relating to personnel, customers, vendors and the Company’s business, including its intellectual property, the Company could also be subject to liability under relevant contractual obligations and laws and regulations protecting personal data and privacy. In addition, media or other reports of perceived security vulnerabilities to our systems or those of third parties upon which the Company’s business relies, even if nothing has actually been attempted or occurred, could also adversely impact our brand and reputation and materially affect our business.

The Company Could Suffer Losses Due to Asset Impairment and Restructuring Charges.

As a result of adverse developments in the Company’s industry and challenging economic and market conditions, the Company may recognize impairment charges for write-downs of goodwill, intangible assets, investments and other long-lived assets, as well as restructuring charges relating to the reorganization of its businesses, which negatively impact the Company’s financial results. When the Company acquires a business, it records goodwill in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, as of the acquisition date. The Company’s management must regularly evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets expected to contribute indefinitely to the Company’s cash flows in order to determine whether, based on projected discounted future cash flows, the carrying value for such assets exceeds current fair value and the Company should recognize an impairment. In accordance with GAAP, the Company performs an annual impairment assessment of its recorded goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including newspaper mastheads, distribution networks, publishing imprints, radio broadcast licenses, trademarks and trade names, channel distribution agreements, publishing rights and customer relationships, during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The Company also continually evaluates whether current factors or indicators, such as prevailing conditions in the business environment, capital markets or the economy generally and actual or projected operating results, require the performance of an interim impairment assessment of those assets, as well as other investments and long-lived assets, or require the Company to engage in any additional business restructurings to address these conditions. Any significant shortfall, now or in the future, in advertising revenue and/or the expected popularity of the programming for which the Company has acquired rights could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of certain reporting units. Any downward revisions in the fair value

 

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of a reporting unit, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments or other long-lived assets could result in additional impairments for which non-cash charges would be required. Any such charge could be material to the Company’s reported results of operations. For example, in fiscal 2017, the Company recognized non-cash impairment charges of approximately $785 million, primarily related to the write-down of fixed assets at its U.K. and Australian newspapers, and a $227 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of its investment in Foxtel to fair value. In addition, as of June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $1.4 billion of goodwill and $1.2 billion of investments that are at risk for future impairment because the fair values of the corresponding reporting units and investments exceeded their carrying values by less than 3%. The Company may also incur additional restructuring charges in the future if it is required to further realign its resources in response to significant shortfalls in revenue or other adverse trends.

The Company’s Business Could Be Adversely Impacted by Changes in Governmental Policy and Regulation.

Various aspects of the Company’s activities are subject to regulation in numerous jurisdictions around the world, and the introduction of new laws and regulations in countries where the Company’s products and services are produced or distributed, and changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations in those countries, could have a negative impact on its interests. In addition, laws and regulations in some international jurisdictions differ from those in the United States, and the enforcement of those laws and regulations may be inconsistent and unpredictable. The Company may incur substantial costs or be required to change its business practices in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations and could incur substantial penalties or other liabilities in the event of any failure to comply.

The Company’s Australian operating businesses may be adversely affected by changes in government policy, regulation or legislation, or the application or enforcement thereof, applying to companies in the Australian media industry or to Australian companies in general. This includes:

 

   

anti-siphoning legislation which currently prevents pay-TV providers such as Foxtel from acquiring rights to televise certain listed events (for example, the Olympic Games and certain Australian Rules football and cricket matches) unless:

 

  national and commercial television broadcasters have not obtained these rights 12 weeks before the start of the event;

 

  the rights to televise are also held by commercial television licensees who have rights to televise the event to more than 50% of the Australian population; or

 

  the rights to televise are also held by one of Australia’s two major government-funded broadcasters; and

 

   

other parts of the Broadcasting Services Act that regulate ownership interests and control of Australian media organizations. Such legislation may have an impact on the Company’s ownership structure and operations and may restrict its ability to take advantage of acquisition or investment opportunities. For example, current media diversity rules would prevent the Company from exercising control of a commercial television broadcasting license, a commercial radio license and a newspaper in the same license area.

The Company’s business activities are also subject to various laws and regulations in the United States and internationally governing the collection, use, sharing, protection and retention of personal data, which have implications for how such data is managed. Complying with these laws and regulations could be costly, require us to change our business practices, or limit or restrict aspects of the Company’s business in a manner adverse to our business operations. Many of these laws and regulations continue to evolve, and substantial uncertainty surrounds their scope and application. The Company’s failure to comply, even if inadvertent or in good faith, could result in exposure to enforcement by U.S. federal or state or foreign governments or private actors, as well as significant negative publicity and reputational damage. An example of such a law is the European Union’s

 

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recently adopted GDPR, which expands the regulation of personal data processing throughout the European Union and significantly increases penalties for non-compliance. See “Governmental Regulation—Data Privacy and Security” for more information. Finally, because some of our products and services are available on the Internet, we may be subject to laws or regulations exposing us to liability or compliance obligations even in jurisdictions where the Company does not have a substantial presence.

In addition, the Company’s newspaper publishing businesses in the U.K. are now subject to greater regulation and oversight as a result of the implementation of recommendations of the Leveson inquiry into the U.K. press, which was established by former Prime Minister David Cameron in mid-2011. The U.K. Government subsequently published a Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press which established a Press Recognition Panel responsible for approving and monitoring a new press regulatory body. Publishers who are not members of an approved regulator, including the Company, may be subject to exemplary damages in privacy and libel cases and, if Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 is enacted, the payment of costs for both parties in libel actions in certain circumstances. The majority of the U.K. press, including News UK, has established an alternative regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO, which began operating in September 2014. IPSO, which has indicated that it does not intend to seek approval by the Press Recognition Panel, has powers to impose burdens on its print media members in the U.K. These powers, which include the ability to impose fines of up to £1 million for systemic breaches of IPSO’s Editor’s Code of Practice, may result in competitive disadvantages versus other forms of media and may increase the costs of regulatory compliance. Depending on the political environment, the second phase of the Leveson inquiry may be commenced, investigating the relationship between the press and the police.

The Company’s radio stations in the U.K. and Ireland are also subject to governmental regulation by the relevant broadcast authorities as the Company is required to obtain and maintain licenses from such authorities to operate these stations. Although the Company expects its licenses will, where relevant, be renewed in the ordinary course upon their expiration, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Non-compliance by the Company with the requirements associated with such licenses or other applicable laws and regulations, including of the relevant authority, could result in fines, additional license conditions, license revocation or other adverse regulatory actions.

Adverse Results from Litigation or Other Proceedings Could Impact the Company’s Business Practices and Operating Results.

From time to time, the Company is party to litigation, as well as to regulatory and other proceedings with governmental authorities and administrative agencies, including with respect to antitrust, tax, data privacy and security, intellectual property and other matters. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and Note 15 to the Financial Statements for a discussion of certain matters. The outcome of these matters and other litigation and proceedings is subject to significant uncertainty, and it is possible that an adverse resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in reputational harm and/or significant monetary damages, injunctive relief or settlement costs that could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition as well as the Company’s ability to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted. For example, in February 2016, the Company entered into a settlement agreement relating to an action brought by customers of the NAM business pursuant to which it subsequently paid the plaintiffs and their attorneys approximately $250 million; the Company also settled related claims for approximately $30 million. In addition, regardless of merit or outcome, such proceedings can have an adverse impact on the Company as a result of legal costs, diversion of management and other personnel, and other factors.

The Company Could Be Subject to Significant Additional Tax Liabilities.

The Company is subject to taxation in U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions and various non-U.S. jurisdictions, including Australia and the U.K. The Company’s effective tax rate is impacted by the tax laws, regulations, practices and interpretations in the jurisdictions in which it operates and may fluctuate significantly

 

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from period to period depending on, among other things, the geographic mix of the Company’s profits and losses, changes in tax laws and regulations or their application and interpretation, the outcome of tax audits and changes in valuation allowances associated with the Company’s deferred tax assets. Evaluating and estimating the Company’s tax provision, current and deferred tax assets and liabilities and other tax accruals requires significant management judgment, and there are many transactions for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

The Company’s tax returns are routinely audited by various tax authorities. Tax authorities may not agree with the treatment of items reported in our tax returns or positions taken by the Company, and as a result, tax-related settlements or litigation may occur, resulting in additional income tax liabilities against the Company. Although the Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of tax reviews and examinations and any related litigation, the final outcomes of these matters could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the Financial Statements. As a result, the Company may be required to recognize additional charges in its Statements of Operations and pay significant additional amounts with respect to current or prior periods, or its taxes in the future could increase, which could affect its operating results and financial condition.

In connection with the Separation, 21st Century Fox received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and an opinion from its tax counsel confirming the tax-free status of the Separation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The private letter ruling and the opinion relied on certain facts and assumptions, and certain representations from the Company and 21st Century Fox regarding the past and future conduct of their respective businesses and other matters. Notwithstanding the receipt of the private letter ruling and the opinion, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution or the related internal reorganization transactions should be treated as taxable transactions if any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings is not correct or has been violated. If the internal reorganization and/or the distribution is ultimately determined to be taxable, 21st Century Fox and/or the Company would recognize gains on the internal reorganization and 21st Century Fox would recognize gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of shares of the Company’s common stock distributed to 21st Century Fox’s stockholders on the Distribution Date over 21st Century Fox’s tax basis in such shares. The Company may in certain circumstances be required to indemnify 21st Century Fox for liabilities arising out of the foregoing. Specifically, under the terms of the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement that the Company and 21st Century Fox entered into in connection with the Separation, in the event that the distribution or the internal transactions intended not to be subject to tax were determined to be subject to tax and such determination was the result of certain actions taken, or omitted to be taken, after the Separation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries and such actions (1) were inconsistent with any representation or covenant made in connection with the private letter ruling or opinion of 21st Century Fox’s tax counsel, (2) violated any representation or covenant made in the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, or (3) the Company or any of its subsidiaries knew or reasonably should have expected, after consultation with its advisors, could result in any such determination, the Company will be responsible for any tax-related liabilities incurred by 21st Century Fox as a result of such determination. In addition, other tax authorities could determine on audit that the distribution or the related internal reorganizations should be treated as taxable transactions resulting in additional tax liabilities.

Recently, the U.S. government has indicated that corporate tax reform is a high priority and has proposed sweeping changes to the U.S. tax system. These reforms may include changes to corporate tax rates, changes in the taxation of income earned outside the United States and taxing previously unremitted foreign earnings at concessional tax rates. We cannot determine whether some or all of these or other proposals will be enacted into law or what, if any, changes may be made to such proposals prior to being enacted into law. If U.S. tax laws change in a manner that increases our tax obligations, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely impacted.

 

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The Company’s International Operations Expose it to Additional Risks that Could Adversely Affect its Business, Operating Results and Financial Condition.

In its fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, approximately 54% of the Company’s revenues were derived outside the U.S., and the Company is focused on expanding the international scope of its operations. There are risks inherent in doing business internationally, including (1) issues related to managing international operations; (2) economic uncertainties and volatility in local markets and political or social instability; (3) potentially adverse changes in tax laws and regulations; (4) compliance with international laws and regulations, including foreign ownership restrictions and data privacy requirements; (5) compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act; (6) restrictions on repatriation of funds and foreign currency exchange; and (7) compliance with local labor laws and regulations. For example, Brexit may, among other things, adversely affect economic and market conditions in the U.K. and the E.U. and create uncertainty around doing business in the U.K., including with respect to data protection and transfer, tax rates and the recruitment and retention of employees. Events or developments related to these and other risks associated with the Company’s international operations could result in reputational harm and have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. Challenges associated with operating globally may increase as the Company continues to expand into geographic areas that it believes represent the highest growth opportunities.

There Can Be No Assurance That the Company Will Have Access to the Capital Markets on Terms Acceptable to It.

From time to time the Company may need or desire to access the long-term and short-term capital markets to obtain financing. Although the Company believes that the sources of capital currently in place, including the Company’s revolving credit facility, will permit the Company to finance its operations for the foreseeable future on acceptable terms and conditions, the Company’s access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms and conditions in the future will be impacted by many factors, including, but not limited to: (1) the Company’s financial performance, (2) the Company’s credit ratings or absence of a credit rating, (3) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (4) the state of the economy. There can be no assurance, particularly as a company that currently has no credit rating, that the Company will continue to have access to the capital markets on terms acceptable to it.

Technological Developments May Increase the Threat of Content Piracy and Limit the Company’s Ability to Protect Its Intellectual Property Rights.

The Company seeks to limit the threat of content piracy; however, policing unauthorized use of its products and services and related intellectual property is often difficult and the steps taken by the Company may not in every case prevent infringement by unauthorized third parties. Developments in technology increase the threat of content piracy by making it easier to duplicate and widely distribute pirated material. The Company has taken, and will continue to take, a variety of actions to combat piracy, both individually and, in some instances, together with industry associations. However, protection of the Company’s intellectual property rights is dependent on the scope and duration of its rights as defined by applicable laws in the U.S. and abroad and the manner in which those laws are construed. If those laws are drafted or interpreted in ways that limit the extent or duration of the Company’s rights, or if existing laws are changed, the Company’s ability to generate revenue from its intellectual property may decrease, or the cost of obtaining and maintaining rights may increase. There can be no assurance that the Company’s efforts to enforce its rights and protect its products, services and intellectual property will be successful in preventing content piracy.

The Company’s Business Relies on Certain Intellectual Property and Brands.

The Company’s businesses rely on a combination of trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, domain names and other proprietary rights, as well as contractual arrangements, including licenses, to establish and protect their

 

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intellectual property and brand names. The Company believes its proprietary trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, domain names and other intellectual property rights are important to its continued success and its competitive position. However, the Company cannot ensure that these intellectual property rights will be upheld if challenged or that these rights will protect the Company against infringement claims by third parties, and effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country or region in which the Company operates or where its products are available. Any failure by the Company to effectively protect its intellectual property or brands could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the Company may be contractually required to indemnify other parties against liabilities arising out of any third party infringement claims.

Newsprint Prices May Continue to Be Volatile and Difficult to Predict and Control.

Newsprint is one of the largest expenses of the Company’s newspaper publishing units. During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s average cost per ton of newsprint was approximately 10% lower than its historical average annual cost per ton over the past five fiscal years on a constant currency basis. The price of newsprint has historically been volatile and the closure and consolidation of newsprint mills over the years has reduced the number of suppliers, which has led to increases in newsprint prices. Failure to maintain the Company’s current consumption levels, further supplier closure and consolidation or the inability to maintain the Company’s existing relationships with its newsprint suppliers could adversely impact newsprint prices in the future.

The Company’s Relationship with NAR is an Important Part of its Digital Real Estate Services Business in the U.S. and this Business Could be Harmed if it were to Lose the Benefits of this Relationship.

Move, the Company’s digital real estate services business in the U.S., licenses the realtor.com® trademark and website address, as well as the REALTOR® trademark, from NAR pursuant to a trademark license agreement (the “NAR License”). Move also operates the realtor.com® website under an agreement with NAR that is perpetual in duration. However, NAR may terminate the operating agreement for certain contractually-specified reasons upon expiration of applicable cure periods. If the operating agreement with NAR is terminated, the NAR License would also terminate, and Move would be required to transfer a copy of the software that operates the realtor.com® website to NAR and provide NAR with copies of its agreements with advertisers and data content providers. NAR would then be able to operate a realtor.com® website, either by itself or with another third party.

In addition to the contractual limitations and risks described above, any adverse developments in Move’s business relationship with NAR as a result of existing or new areas of conflict or potential conflict between Move’s interests and NAR’s interests, changes in the real estate industry or other causes could also adversely affect Move’s business, particularly as many of its customers and data providers are members of, have interests that are closely aligned with, or are otherwise influenced by, NAR.

Labor Disputes May Have an Adverse Effect on the Company’s Business.

In a variety of the Company’s businesses, it engages the services of employees who are subject to collective bargaining agreements. If the Company is unable to renew expiring collective bargaining agreements, it is possible that the affected unions could take action in the form of strikes or work stoppages. Such actions, as well as higher costs in connection with these collective bargaining agreements or a significant labor dispute, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business by causing delays in production or by reducing profit margins.

The Market Price of the Company’s Stock May Fluctuate Significantly.

The Company cannot predict the prices at which its common stock may trade. The market price of the Company’s common stock may fluctuate significantly, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond its control, including: (1) the Company’s quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in its

 

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industry; (2) actual or anticipated fluctuations in the Company’s operating results; (3) success or failure of the Company’s business strategy; (4) the Company’s ability to obtain financing as needed; (5) changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; (6) changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company’s business; (7) announcements by the Company or its competitors of significant new business developments or customers; (8) announcements by the Company or its competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions; (9) changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or the Company’s ability to meet its earnings guidance, if any; (10) the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; (11) investor perception of the Company and the industries in which it operates; (12) results from material litigation or governmental investigations; (13) changes in capital gains taxes and taxes on dividends affecting stockholders; and (14) overall market fluctuations and general economic conditions.

The Separation and Distribution Agreement May Restrict the Company From Acquiring or Owning Certain Types of Assets in the U.S.

The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has promulgated certain rules and regulations that limit the ownership of radio and television broadcast stations, television broadcast networks and newspapers (the “Broadcast Ownership Rules”) and place commercial restrictions on a cable network programmer in which a cable television operator holds an ownership interest (the “Program Access Rules”). Under the FCC’s rules for determining ownership of the media assets described above, the Murdoch Family Trust’s ownership interest in both the Company and 21st Century Fox following the Separation would generally result in each company’s businesses and assets being attributable to the Murdoch Family Trust for purposes of determining compliance with the Broadcast Ownership Rules and the Program Access Rules. Consequently, the Company’s future conduct, including its acquisition of any newspapers in the same local markets in which 21st Century Fox owns or operates television stations or the Company’s acquisition of an ownership interest in a cable operator, may affect 21st Century Fox’s ability to own and operate its television stations or otherwise comply with the Broadcast Ownership Rules, or may subject 21st Century Fox to the Program Access Rules. Therefore, the Company and 21st Century Fox agreed in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that if the Company acquires, after the Distribution Date, newspapers, radio or television broadcast stations or television broadcast networks in the U.S. and such acquisition would impede or be reasonably likely to impede 21st Century Fox’s business, then the Company will be required to take certain actions, including divesting assets, in order to permit 21st Century Fox to hold its media interests and to comply with such rules. In addition, the Company will be prohibited from acquiring an interest in a multichannel video programming distributor, including a cable television operator, if such acquisition would subject 21st Century Fox to the Program Access Rules to which it is not then subject. This agreement effectively limits the activities or strategic business alternatives available to the Company if such activities or strategic business alternatives implicate the Broadcast Ownership Rules or Program Access Rules and would impede or be reasonably likely to impede 21st Century Fox’s business.

Certain of the Company’s Directors and Officers May Have Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Because of Their Equity Ownership in 21st Century Fox, and Certain of the Company’s Officers and Directors May Have Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest Because They Also Serve as Officers and/or on the Board of Directors of 21st Century Fox, Which May Result in the Diversion of Corporate Opportunities to 21st Century Fox.

Certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers own shares of 21st Century Fox’s common stock, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. In addition, certain of the Company’s officers and directors also serve as officers and/or as directors of 21st Century Fox, including K. Rupert Murdoch, who serves as the Company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, Lachlan K. Murdoch, who serves as the Company’s Co-Chairman and Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, and James R. Murdoch, who serves as a director of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of 21st Century Fox. This ownership or service to both companies may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for the Company and 21st Century Fox. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between the Company and 21st Century Fox

 

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regarding the terms of the agreements governing the internal reorganization, the Separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies, including with respect to the indemnification of certain matters. In addition to any other arrangements that the Company and 21st Century Fox may agree to implement, the Company and 21st Century Fox have agreed that officers and directors who serve at both companies will recuse themselves from decisions where conflicts arise due to their positions at both companies.

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation acknowledges that the Company’s directors and officers, as well as certain of its stockholders, including K. Rupert Murdoch, certain members of his family and certain family trusts (so long as such persons continue to own, in the aggregate, 10% or more of the voting stock of each of the Company and 21st Century Fox), each of which is referred to as a covered stockholder, are or may become stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of 21st Century Fox and certain of its affiliates. The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that any such overlapping person will not be liable to the Company, or to any of its stockholders, for breach of any fiduciary duty that would otherwise exist because such individual directs a corporate opportunity (other than certain limited types of restricted business opportunities set forth in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation) to 21st Century Fox instead of the Company. As 21st Century Fox does not have a similar provision regarding corporate opportunities in its certificate of incorporation, the provisions in the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation could result in an overlapping person submitting any corporate opportunities other than restricted business opportunities to 21st Century Fox instead of the Company.

Certain Provisions of the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-laws, Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, Separation and Distribution Agreement and Delaware Law, the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement and the Ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust May Discourage Takeovers and the Concentration of Ownership Will Affect the Voting Results of Matters Submitted for Stockholder Approval.

The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may make more difficult or expensive a tender offer, change in control, or takeover attempt that is opposed by the Company’s Board of Directors or certain stockholders holding a significant percentage of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock. In particular, the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws provide for, among other things:

 

   

a dual class common equity capital structure;

 

   

a prohibition on stockholders taking any action by written consent without a meeting;

 

   

special stockholders’ meeting to be called only by the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, or the holders of not less than 20% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock;

 

   

the requirement that stockholders give the Company advance notice to nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors or to make stockholder proposals at a stockholders’ meeting;

 

   

the requirement of an affirmative vote of at least 65% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting stock to amend or repeal its by-laws;

 

   

vacancies on the Board of Directors to be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;

 

   

certain restrictions on the transfer of the Company’s shares; and

 

   

the Board of Directors to issue, without stockholder approval, Preferred Stock and Series Common Stock with such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.

These provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, even in the case where a majority of the stockholders may consider such proposals, if effective, desirable.

 

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In addition, in connection with the Separation, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights agreement, which it extended in June 2014 and again in June 2015. Pursuant to the second amended and restated stockholder rights agreement, each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock has attached to it a right entitling its holder to purchase from the Company additional shares of its Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in the event that a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the then-outstanding Class B Common Stock without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to exceptions for persons beneficially owning 15% or more of the Company’s Class B Common Stock immediately following the Separation. The stockholder rights agreement could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire the Company’s voting common stock without the approval of its Board of Directors. The rights expire on June 18, 2018, except as otherwise provided in the rights agreement. Further, as a result of his ability to appoint certain members of the board of directors of the corporate trustee of the Murdoch Family Trust, which beneficially owns less than one percent of the Company’s outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately 38.4% of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of August 7, 2017, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by the Murdoch Family Trust. K. Rupert Murdoch, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of these shares. Also, K. Rupert Murdoch beneficially owns or may be deemed to beneficially own an additional one percent of the Company’s Class B Common Stock and less than one percent of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as of August 7, 2017. Thus, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to beneficially own in the aggregate less than one percent of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and approximately 39.4% of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of August 7, 2017. This concentration of voting power could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition of the Company. Additionally, the ownership concentration of Class B Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust increases the likelihood that proposals submitted for stockholder approval that are supported by the Murdoch Family Trust will be adopted and proposals that the Murdoch Family Trust does not support will not be adopted, whether or not such proposals to stockholders are also supported by the other holders of Class B Common Stock. Furthermore, the adoption of the second amended and restated stockholder rights agreement will prevent, unless the Company’s Board of Directors otherwise determines at the time, other potential stockholders from acquiring a similar ownership position in the Company’s Class B Common Stock and, accordingly, could prevent a meaningful challenge to the Murdoch Family Trust’s influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns and leases various real properties in the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia that are utilized in the conduct of its businesses. Each of these properties is considered to be in good condition, adequate for its purpose and suitably utilized according to the individual nature and requirements of the relevant operations. The Company’s policy is to improve and replace property as considered appropriate to meet the needs of the individual operation.

United States

The Company’s principal real properties in the U.S. are the following:

 

(a) The U.S. headquarters of the Company, located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York and the offices of the Company located at 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, each of which are subleased from 21st Century Fox. These spaces include the executive and corporate offices of the Company, the executive and editorial offices of Dow Jones, the editorial offices of the Post and the executive offices of NAM;

 

(b) The leased offices of HarperCollins U.S. in New York, New York;

 

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(c) The leased offices of HarperCollins U.S. in Scranton, Pennsylvania;

 

(d) The leased printing plant of the Post located in Bronx, New York;

 

(e) The leased offices of Move in Santa Clara, California;

 

(f) The leased offices of NAM in Wilton, Connecticut; and

 

(g) The office space campus owned by the Company in South Brunswick, New Jersey.

Europe

The Company’s principal real properties in Europe are the following:

 

(a) The leased headquarters and editorial offices of the London operations of News UK, Dow Jones and HarperCollins at The News Building, 1 London Bridge Street, London, England;

 

(b) The newspaper production and printing facilities for its U.K. newspapers, which consist of:

 

  1. The leased office space at each of Fleet House, Peterborough, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Glasgow City Centre, Scotland; and

 

  2. The freehold interests in each of a publishing and printing facility in Broxbourne, England and printing facilities in Knowsley, England and North Lanarkshire, Scotland; and

 

(c) The leased warehouse and office facilities of HarperCollins Publishers Limited in Glasgow, Scotland.

Australia and Asia

The Company’s principal real properties in Australia and Asia are the following:

 

(a) The Australian newspaper production and printing facilities which consist of:

 

  1. The Company-owned print center and office building in Sydney, Australia at which The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph are printed and published;

 

  2. The Company-owned print center and the leased office facility in Melbourne, Australia at which Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun are printed and published;

 

  3. The Company-owned print center and office building in Adelaide, Australia utilized in the printing and publishing of The Advertiser and Sunday Mail;

 

  4. The Company-owned print center and office building in Brisbane, Australia at which The Courier Mail and The Sunday Mail are printed and published; and

 

  5.

The two Company-owned buildings in Perth, Australia used to print and publish the Perth Sunday Times(1);

 

(b) The leased offices and studios of FOX SPORTS Australia in Sydney, Australia;

 

(c) The leased offices and studios of FOX SPORTS Australia in Melbourne, Australia;

 

(d) The leased corporate offices of REA Group in Melbourne, Australia; and

 

(e) The leased office space of Dow Jones in Hong Kong.

 

(1)

In June 2017, following the sale of the Perth Sunday Times, the Company entered into an agreement to sell one of its buildings in Perth, and the transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company expects to dispose of the remaining building during fiscal 2018.

 

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company routinely is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inspections or investigations, including those discussed below.

Valassis Communications, Inc.

On November 8, 2013, Valassis Communications, Inc. (“Valassis”) initiated legal proceedings against certain of the Company’s subsidiaries alleging violations of various antitrust laws. These proceedings are described in further detail below.

 

   

Valassis previously initiated an action against News America Incorporated (“NAI”), News America Marketing FSI L.L.C. (“NAM FSI”) and News America Marketing In-Store Services L.L.C. (“NAM In-Store Services” and, together with NAI and NAM FSI, the “NAM Parties”), captioned Valassis Communications, Inc. v. News America Incorporated, et al., No. 2:06-cv-10240 (E.D. Mich.) (“Valassis I”), alleging violations of federal antitrust laws, which was settled in February 2010. On November 8, 2013, Valassis filed a motion for expedited discovery in the previously settled case based on its belief that defendants had engaged in activities prohibited under an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in connection with the parties’ settlement, which motion was granted by the magistrate judge.

 

       Valassis subsequently filed a Notice of Violation of the order issued by the District Court in Valassis I. The Notice re-asserted claims of unlawful bundling and tying which the magistrate judge had previously recommended be dismissed from Valassis II, described below, on the grounds that such claims could only be brought before a panel of antitrust experts previously appointed in Valassis I (the “Antitrust Expert Panel”), and sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees on those claims. On March 30, 2016, the District Court ordered that the Notice be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel and further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

 

   

On November 8, 2013, Valassis also filed a new complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the NAM Group alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws and common law business torts (“Valassis II”). The complaint sought treble damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees and costs. On December 19, 2013, the NAM Group filed a motion to dismiss the newly filed complaint, and on March 30, 2016, the District Court ordered that Valassis’s bundling and tying claims be dismissed without prejudice to Valassis’s rights to pursue relief for those claims in Valassis I and that all remaining claims in the NAM Group’s motion to dismiss be referred to the Antitrust Expert Panel. The District Court further ordered that the case be administratively closed and that it may be re-opened following proceedings before the Antitrust Expert Panel.

The Antitrust Expert Panel was convened and, on February 8, 2017, it recommended that the Notice of Violation in Valassis I be dismissed and the NAM Group’s counterclaims in Valassis II be dismissed with leave to replead three of the four counterclaims. The NAM Group filed an amended counterclaim on February 27, 2017. Valassis did not object to the Antitrust Expert Panel’s recommendation to dismiss Valassis I, and the parties are awaiting the District Court’s order of dismissal. However, Valassis filed a motion with the District Court asserting that the referral of Valassis II to the Antitrust Expert Panel is no longer valid and seeking either to re-open Valassis II in the District Court or to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The NAM Group opposed the motion, and the District Court heard arguments on April 13, 2017. While it is not possible at this time to predict with any degree of certainty the ultimate outcome of these actions, the NAM Group believes it has been compliant with applicable laws and intends to defend itself vigorously in both actions.

U.K. Newspaper Matters

Civil claims have been brought against the Company with respect to, among other things, voicemail interception and inappropriate payments to public officials at the Company’s former publication, The News of the World, and

 

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at The Sun, and related matters (the “U.K. Newspaper Matters”). The Company has admitted liability in many civil cases and has settled a number of cases. The Company also settled a number of claims through a private compensation scheme which was closed to new claims after April 8, 2013.

In connection with the Separation, the Company and 21st Century Fox agreed in the Separation and Distribution Agreement that 21st Century Fox would indemnify the Company for payments made after the Distribution Date arising out of civil claims and investigations relating to the U.K. Newspaper Matters as well as legal and professional fees and expenses paid in connection with the previously concluded criminal matters, other than fees, expenses and costs relating to employees (i) who are not directors, officers or certain designated employees or (ii) with respect to civil matters, who are not co-defendants with the Company or 21st Century Fox. 21st Century Fox’s indemnification obligations with respect to these matters will be settled on an after-tax basis.

The net expense related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters in Selling, general and administrative expenses was $10 million, $19 million and $50 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the Company has provided for its best estimate of the liability for the claims that have been filed and costs incurred, including liabilities associated with employment taxes, and has accrued approximately $132 million, of which approximately $82 million will be indemnified by 21st Century Fox, and a corresponding receivable was recorded in Other current assets on the Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017. It is not possible to estimate the liability or corresponding receivable for any additional claims that may be filed given the information that is currently available to the Company. If more claims are filed and additional information becomes available, the Company will update the liability provision and corresponding receivable for such matters.

The Company is not able to predict the ultimate outcome or cost of the civil claims. It is possible that these proceedings and any adverse resolution thereof could damage its reputation, impair its ability to conduct its business and adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

Other

The Company’s tax returns are subject to on-going review and examination by various tax authorities. Tax authorities may not agree with the treatment of items reported in the Company’s tax returns, and therefore the outcome of tax reviews and examinations can be unpredictable. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of uncertain tax matters and believes such liabilities represent a reasonable provision for taxes ultimately expected to be paid; however, these liabilities may need to be adjusted as new information becomes known and as tax examinations continue to progress.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

News Corporation’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”), its principal market, under the symbols “NWSA” and “NWS,” respectively. CHESS Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) representing the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) under the symbols “NWSLV” and “NWS,” respectively. As of August 7, 2017, there were approximately 23,000 holders of record of shares of Class A Common Stock and 600 holders of record of shares of Class B Common Stock.

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as reported on NASDAQ.

 

     Class B Common Stock      Class A Common Stock  
         High              Low              High              Low      

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016:

           

First Quarter

   $ 15.62        12.62        15.92        12.63  

Second Quarter

     15.74        12.24        15.68        12.16  

Third Quarter

     14.45        10.74        13.81        10.21  

Fourth Quarter

     13.55        10.90        13.06        10.54  

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2017:

           

First Quarter

     14.65        11.50        14.34        11.05  

Second Quarter

     15.22        11.25        14.68        10.99  

Third Quarter

     13.80        11.90        13.48        11.51  

Fourth Quarter

     14.40        12.60        13.92        12.19  

Dividends

During fiscal 2017 and 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) declared semi-annual cash dividends on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders, if any, is within the discretion of the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”). The Board of Directors’ decisions regarding the payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

The following table summarizes the dividends paid per share on both the Company’s Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock:

 

     For the fiscal years ended
June 30,
 
         2017              2016      

Cash dividends paid per share

   $ 0.20      $ 0.20  

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Class A Common Stock. On May 10, 2015, the Company announced it had begun repurchasing shares of Class A Common Stock under the stock repurchase program. No stock repurchases were made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. Through August 7, 2017, the Company repurchased

 

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approximately 5.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $71 million. The remaining authorized amount under the stock repurchase program as of August 7, 2017 was approximately $429 million. All decisions regarding any future stock repurchases are at the sole discretion of a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors and management. The committee’s decisions regarding future stock repurchases will be evaluated from time to time in light of many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the committee may deem relevant. The stock repurchase authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors cannot provide any assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased.

The Company did not purchase any of its Class B Common Stock during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and the other financial information included elsewhere herein.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017(b)     2016(b)      2015(b)     2014      2013(c)  
     (in millions except per share information)  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:

            

Revenues

   $ 8,139     $ 8,292      $ 8,524     $ 8,486      $ 8,789  

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to News Corporation stockholders(a)

     (738     164        298       381        612  

Net (loss) income attributable to News Corporation stockholders

     (738     179        (147     239        506  

(Loss) income from continuing operations available to News Corporation stockholders—basic and diluted

     (1.27     0.28        0.51       0.65        1.06  

Net (loss) income available to News Corporation stockholders per share—basic and diluted

     (1.27     0.30        (0.26     0.41        0.87  

Cash dividends per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock

     0.20       0.20        —         —          —    
     As of June 30,  
     2017     2016      2015     2014      2013  
     (in millions)  

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,016     $ 1,832      $ 1,951     $ 3,145      $ 2,381  

Total assets

     14,552       15,483        15,035       16,351        15,523  

Total borrowings

     379       372        —         —          —    

Redeemable preferred stock

     20       20        20       20        20  

 

(a) 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately $785 million, of which approximately $360 million related to the News and Information Services business in the U.K. and approximately $310 million related to the News and Information Services business in Australia. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation. Additionally, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized a $227 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of its investment in Foxtel to fair value. The write-down is reflected in Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized $158 million ($98 million, net of tax) in net settlement costs associated with the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. The Company recognized one-time costs of approximately $280 million in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims at News America Marketing during the three months ended March 31, 2016. In addition, the Company recognized a gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, Inc., which reflects settlement proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to the National Association of Realtors® during the three months ended June 30, 2016.

 

(b) 

See Notes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation for information with respect to significant acquisitions, disposals, discontinued operations, impairment charges, restructuring charges, contingencies and legal settlements and other transactions during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(c) 

On June 28, 2013 (the “Distribution Date”), the Company completed the separation of its businesses (the “Separation”) from Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (“21st Century Fox”). As of the effective time of the Separation, all of the outstanding shares of the Company were distributed to 21st Century Fox stockholders

 

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based on a distribution ratio of one share of Company Class A or Class B Common Stock for every four shares of 21st Century Fox Class A or Class B Common Stock, respectively, held of record as of June 21, 2013 (the “Record Date”). Prior to the Separation, the Company’s combined financial statements were prepared on a stand-alone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of 21st Century Fox. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 included allocations of general corporate expenses for certain support functions that were provided on a centralized basis by 21st Century Fox and not recorded at the business unit level, such as expenses related to finance, human resources, information technology, facilities and legal, among others. These expenses were allocated to the Company on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of consolidated revenues, operating income, headcount or other measures of the Company. Management believes the assumptions underlying these consolidated financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses from 21st Century Fox, were reasonable.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, the Company acquired CMH, a media investment company that operates in Australia. The CMH acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations” which requires an acquirer to remeasure its previously held equity interest in an acquiree at its acquisition date fair value and recognize the resulting gain or loss in earnings. The carrying amount of the Company’s previously held equity interest in FOX SPORTS Australia was revalued to fair value as of the acquisition date, resulting in a step-up and non-cash gain of approximately $1.3 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013. Additionally, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, the Company sold its 44% equity interest in SKY Network Television Ltd. for approximately $675 million and recorded a gain of approximately $321 million which was included in Other, net in the Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of approximately $1.4 billion. The charges primarily consisted of a write-down of the Company’s goodwill of $494 million, a write-down of intangible assets (primarily newspaper mastheads) of $862 million and a write-down of fixed assets of $46 million.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “believe” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this discussion and analysis and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things, trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations and the outcome of contingencies such as litigation and investigations. Readers are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. More information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”). The Company does not ordinarily make projections of its future operating results and undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review this document and the other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This section should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation and related notes set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report.

INTRODUCTION

News Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “News Corporation,” “News Corp,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a global diversified media and information services company comprised of businesses across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, cable network programming in Australia and pay-TV distribution in Australia.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, management approved a plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business. As a result of the plan and the discontinuation of further significant business activities in the Digital Education segment, the assets and liabilities of this segment were classified as held for sale and the results of operations have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations. (See Note 4—Discontinued Operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company reclassified its listing revenues generated primarily from agents, brokers and developers from advertising revenue to real estate revenue to better reflect the Company’s revenue mix and how management reviews the performance of the Digital Real Estate Services segment.

The consolidated financial statements are referred to herein as the “Consolidated Financial Statements.” The consolidated statements of operations are referred to herein as the “Statements of Operations.” The consolidated balance sheets are referred to herein as the “Balance Sheets.” The consolidated statements of cash flows are referred to herein as the “Statements of Cash Flows.” The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to help provide an understanding of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion is organized as follows:

 

   

Overview of the Company’s BusinessThis section provides a general description of the Company’s businesses, as well as developments that occurred during the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and

 

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through the date of this filing that the Company believes are important in understanding its results of operations and financial condition or to disclose known trends.

 

   

Results of OperationsThis section provides an analysis of the Company’s results of operations for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2017. This analysis is presented on both a consolidated basis and a segment basis. In addition, a brief description is provided of significant transactions and events that impact the comparability of the results being analyzed. The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to June 30 in each year. Fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 included 52, 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. As a result, the Company has referenced the impact of the 53rd week, where applicable, when providing analysis of the results of operations.

 

   

Liquidity and Capital ResourcesThis section provides an analysis of the Company’s cash flows for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, as well as a discussion of the Company’s financial arrangements and outstanding commitments, both firm and contingent, that existed as of June 30, 2017.

 

   

Critical Accounting Policies—This section discusses accounting policies considered important to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in application. In addition, Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements summarizes the Company’s significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies discussed in this section.

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESSES

The Company manages and reports its businesses in the following five segments:

 

   

News and Information Services—The News and Information Services segment includes the Company’s global print, digital and broadcast radio media platforms. These product offerings include the global print and digital versions of The Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones Media Group, which includes Barron’s and MarketWatch, as well as the Company’s suite of professional information products, including Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones PEVC and DJX. The Company also owns, among other publications, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun and The Courier Mail in Australia, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sun on Sunday in the U.K. and the New York Post in the U.S. This segment also includes News America Marketing, a leading provider of home-delivered shopper media, in-store marketing products and services and digital marketing solutions, including Checkout 51’s mobile application, as well as Unruly, a leading global video advertising distribution platform, Wireless Group, operator of talkSPORT, the leading sports radio network in the U.K., and Storyful, a social media content agency.

 

   

Book Publishing—The Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins, the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries and particular strengths in general fiction, nonfiction, children’s and religious publishing. HarperCollins owns more than 120 branded publishing imprints, including Harper, William Morrow, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Avon, Harlequin and Christian publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, and publishes works by well-known authors such as Harper Lee, Patricia Cornwell, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Rick Warren, Sarah Young and Agatha Christie and popular titles such as The Hobbit, Goodnight Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jesus Calling and Hillbilly Elegy.

 

   

Digital Real Estate Services—The Digital Real Estate Services segment consists of the Company’s interests in REA Group Limited (“REA Group”), Move, Inc. (“Move”) and DIAKRIT International Limited (“DIAKRIT”). REA Group is a publicly traded company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) (ASX: REA) that advertises property and property-related services on its websites and mobile applications across Australia and Asia, including iProperty.com. REA Group operates Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites, realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au. The Company holds a 61.6% interest in REA Group.

 

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Move is a leading provider of online real estate services in the U.S. and primarily operates realtor.com®, a premier real estate information and services marketplace. Move offers real estate advertising solutions to agents and brokers, including its ConnectionsSM for Buyers and AdvantageSM Pro products. Move also offers a number of professional software and services products, including Top Producer®, FiveStreet® and ListHubTM. The Company owns an 80% interest in Move, with the remaining 20% being held by REA Group.

 

   

Cable Network Programming—The Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia and Australian News Channel Pty Ltd (“ANC”). FOX SPORTS Australia is the leading sports programming provider in Australia, with eight high definition television channels distributed via cable, satellite and IP, several interactive viewing applications and broadcast rights to live sporting events in Australia including: National Rugby League, the domestic football league, international cricket, Australian Rugby Union and various motorsports programming.

ANC, acquired in December 2016, operates the SKY NEWS network, Australia’s 24-hour multi-channel, multi-platform news service. ANC channels are broadcast throughout Australia and New Zealand and available on Foxtel and Sky Television. ANC also owns and operates the international Australia Channel IPTV service and offers content across a variety of digital media platforms, including mobile, podcasts and social media websites.

 

   

Other—The Other segment consists primarily of general corporate overhead expenses, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters (as defined in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings”). The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across its businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions, investments and dispositions.

News and Information Services

Revenue at the News and Information Services segment is derived from the sale of advertising, circulation and subscriptions, as well as licensing. Adverse changes in general market conditions for advertising continue to affect revenues. Advertising revenues at the News and Information Services segment are also subject to seasonality, with revenues typically being highest in the Company’s second fiscal quarter due to the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies. Circulation and subscription revenues can be greatly affected by changes in the prices of the Company’s and/or competitors’ products, as well as by promotional activities.

Operating expenses include costs related to paper, production, distribution, third party printing, editorial, commissions and radio sports rights. Selling, general and administrative expenses include promotional expenses, salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead.

The News and Information Services segment’s advertising volume and rates, circulation and the price of paper are the key variables whose fluctuations can have a material effect on the Company’s operating results and cash flow. The Company has to anticipate the level of advertising volume and rates, circulation and paper prices in managing its businesses to maximize operating profit during expanding and contracting economic cycles. The Company continues to be exposed to risks associated with paper used for printing. Paper is a basic commodity and its price is sensitive to the balance of supply and demand. The Company’s expenses are affected by the cyclical increases and decreases in the price of paper. The News and Information Services segment’s products compete for readership, audience and advertising with local and national competitors and also compete with other media alternatives in their respective markets. Competition for circulation and subscriptions is based on the content of the products provided, pricing and, from time to time, various promotions. The success of these products also depends upon advertisers’ judgments as to the most effective use of their advertising budgets. Competition for advertising is based upon the reach of the products, advertising rates and advertiser results. Such judgments are based on factors such as cost, availability of alternative media, distribution and quality of consumer demographics.

 

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The Company’s traditional print business faces challenges from alternative media formats and shifting consumer preferences. The Company is also exposed to the impact of long-term structural movements in advertising spending, in particular, the move in advertising from print to digital. These alternative media formats could impact the Company’s overall performance, positively or negatively. In addition, technologies have been and will continue to be developed that allow users to block advertising on websites and mobile devices, which may impact advertising rates or revenues.

As a multi-platform news provider, the Company recognizes the importance of maximizing revenues from a variety of media formats and platforms, both in terms of paid-for content and in new advertising models, and continues to invest in its digital products. Technologies such as smartphones, tablets and similar devices and their related applications provide continued opportunities for the Company to make its content available to a new audience of readers, introduce new or different pricing schemes, and develop its products to continue to attract advertisers and/or affect the relationship between content providers and consumer. The Company continues to develop and implement strategies to exploit its content across a variety of media channels and platforms.

Book Publishing

The Book Publishing segment derives revenues from the sale of general fiction, nonfiction, children’s and religious books in the U.S. and internationally. The revenues and operating results of the Book Publishing segment are significantly affected by the timing of releases and the number of its books in the marketplace. The book publishing marketplace is subject to increased periods of demand during the end-of-year holiday season in its main operating geographies. This marketplace is highly competitive and continues to change due to technological developments, including additional digital platforms and distribution channels, and other factors. Each book is a separate and distinct product, and its financial success depends upon many factors, including public acceptance.

Major new title releases represent a significant portion of the Book Publishing segment’s sales throughout the fiscal year. Print-based consumer books are generally sold on a fully returnable basis, resulting in the return of unsold books. In the domestic and international markets, the Book Publishing segment is subject to global trends and local economic conditions. Operating expenses for the Book Publishing segment include costs related to paper, printing, authors’ royalties, editorial, promotional, art and design expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead.

Digital Real Estate Services

The Digital Real Estate Services segment generates revenue through the sale of real estate listing products to agents, brokers and developers and display advertising on its residential real estate and commercial property sites and also licenses certain professional software products on a subscription basis. Significant expenses associated with these sites and software solutions include development costs, advertising and promotional expenses, hosting and support services, salaries, employee benefits and other routine overhead expenses.

Consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet and mobile devices for real estate information. The Digital Real Estate Services segment’s success depends on its continued innovation to provide products and services that make its websites and mobile applications useful for consumers and real estate and mortgage professionals and attractive to its advertisers.

Cable Network Programming

The Cable Network Programming segment consists of FOX SPORTS Australia and ANC. FOX SPORTS Australia offers the following eight channels in high definition: FOX SPORTS 501, FOX SPORTS 503, FOX SPORTS 505, FOX SPORTS 506, FOX LEAGUE, FOX FOOTY, FOX SPORTS MORE and FOX SPORTS NEWS. Revenue is primarily derived from monthly affiliate fees received from pay-TV providers (mainly Foxtel) based on the number of subscribers.

 

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FOX SPORTS Australia competes primarily with ESPN, beIN SPORTS, the Free-To-Air channels and certain telecommunications companies in Australia.

ANC offers the following channels: SKY NEWS LIVE, SKY NEWS BUSINESS, SKY NEWS WEATHER, SKY NEWS Multiview, A-PAC Australia’s Public Affairs Channel and SKY NEWS New Zealand. ANC also owns and operates the Australia Channel IPTV service for international markets. Revenue is primarily derived from monthly affiliate fees received from pay-TV providers based on the number of subscribers and advertising.

The most significant operating expenses of the Cable Network Programming segment are the acquisition and production expenses related to programming and the expenses related to operating the technical facilities of the broadcast operations. The expenses associated with licensing certain programming rights are recognized during the applicable season or event, which can cause results at the Cable Network Programming segment to fluctuate based on the timing and mix of the Company’s local and international sports programming. Other expenses include marketing and promotional expenses related to improving the market visibility and awareness of the channels and their programming. Additional expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other routine overhead expenses.

Other

The Other segment primarily consists of general corporate overhead expenses, the corporate Strategy and Creative Group and costs related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The Company’s corporate Strategy and Creative Group was formed to identify new products and services across the Company’s businesses to increase revenues and profitability and to target and assess potential acquisitions, investments and dispositions.

Other Business Developments

In July 2017, REA Group acquired an 80.3% interest in Smartline Home Loans Pty Limited (“Smartline”) for A$69 million in cash (approximately $55 million). The minority shareholders have the option to sell the remaining 19.7% interest to REA Group beginning three years after closing at a price dependent on the financial performance of Smartline. If the option is not exercised, the minority interest will become mandatorily redeemable four years after closing. As a result, REA Group will recognize a liability in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 for the present value of the amount expected to be paid for the remaining interest based on the formula specified in the acquisition agreement. Smartline is one of Australia’s premier mortgage broking franchise groups, and the investment provides REA Group’s financial services business with greater scale and capability.

In January 2017, REA Group acquired an approximate 15% interest in Elara Technologies Pte. Ltd., a leading online real estate services provider in India (“Elara”), for $50 million. Elara operates PropTiger.com, Makaan.com and Housing.com, and the investment further strengthens REA Group’s presence in Asia. Following the completion of the investment and certain related transactions, including Elara’s acquisition of Housing.com, News Corporation’s pre-existing interest in Elara decreased to approximately 23%.

In December 2016, REA Group sold its European business for approximately $140 million (approximately €133 million) in cash, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $107 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. The sale allows REA Group to focus on its core businesses in Australia and Asia.

In December 2016, the Company acquired Australian Regional Media (“ARM”) from HT&E Limited (formerly APN News and Media Limited) (“HT&E”) for approximately $30 million. ARM operates a portfolio of regional print assets and websites and extends the reach of the Australian newspaper business to new customers in new geographic regions. ARM is a subsidiary of News Corp Australia, and its results are included within the News and Information Services segment.

In September 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of Wireless Group plc (“Wireless Group”) for a purchase price of 315 pence per share in cash, or approximately £220 million (approximately $285 million) in the

 

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aggregate, plus $23 million of assumed debt which was repaid subsequent to closing. Wireless Group operates talkSPORT, the leading sports radio network in the U.K., and a portfolio of radio stations in the U.K. and Ireland. The acquisition broadens the Company’s range of services in the U.K., Ireland and internationally and the Company continues to closely align Wireless Group’s operations with those of The Sun and The Times. Wireless Group’s results are included within the News and Information Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

In May 2016, REA Group acquired Flatmates.com.au Pty Ltd (“Flatmates”) for $19 million in cash at closing and up to $15 million in future cash consideration related to payments contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Flatmates operates the Flatmates.com.au website, which is a market leading share accommodation site in Australia. The acquisition enhances REA Group’s Australian product offering by extending its reach into the quickly growing share accommodation business. Flatmates is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment.

In February 2016, the Company acquired a 92% interest in DIAKRIT for approximately $40 million in cash. The Company has the option to purchase, and the minority shareholders also have the option to sell to the Company, the remaining 8% in two tranches over the six years following the closing at fair value. DIAKRIT is a leader in 3D visualization products, digital sales applications and professional services for the real estate industry. DIAKRIT’s results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

In February 2016, REA Group increased its investment in iProperty Group Limited (“iProperty”) from 22.7% to approximately 86.9% for A$482 million in cash (approximately $340 million). The remaining 13.1% interest will become mandatorily redeemable during fiscal 2018, and as a result, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $76 million. The acquisition was funded primarily with the proceeds from borrowings under an unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility (the “REA Facility”). (See Note 9—Borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). The acquisition of iProperty extends REA Group’s market leading business in Australia to attractive markets throughout Southeast Asia. iProperty is a subsidiary of REA Group, and its results are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, REA Group recognized a gain of $29 million related to the revaluation of its previously held equity interest in iProperty in Other, net in the Statements of Operations.

The total fair value of iProperty at the acquisition date is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for iProperty equity

   $ 340  

Deferred consideration

     76  
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     416  
  

 

 

 

Fair value of previously held iProperty investment

     120  
  

 

 

 

Total fair value

   $ 536  
  

 

 

 

On September 30, 2015, the Company acquired Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”) for approximately £60 million (approximately $90 million) in cash and up to £56 million (approximately $86 million) in future cash consideration related to payments primarily contingent upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Unruly is a leading global video distribution platform that is focused on delivering branded video advertising across websites and mobile devices. Unruly’s results of operations are included within the News and Information Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

 

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In July 2015, the Company acquired Checkout 51 Mobile Apps ULC (“Checkout 51”) for approximately $13 million in cash at closing and approximately $10 million in deferred cash consideration which was paid during fiscal 2016. Checkout 51 is a data-driven digital incentives company that provides News America Marketing with a leading receipt recognition mobile app which enables packaged goods companies and brands to reach consumers with highly personalized marketing campaigns. Checkout 51’s results are included within the News and Information Services segment.

During fiscal 2015, the Company purchased a 14.99% interest in HT&E for approximately $112 million. During fiscal 2016, the Company participated in an entitlement offer to maintain its 14.99% interest in HT&E for $20 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company participated in an entitlement offer for $21 million and its interest was diluted from 14.99% to 13.23%. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company’s interest increased from 13.23% to 13.40% as a result of dividend reinvestment. HT&E operates a portfolio of Australian radio and outdoor media assets.

In November 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Move, a leading provider of online real estate services. The acquisition expanded the Company’s digital real estate services business into the U.S., one of the largest real estate markets. The aggregate cash payment at closing to acquire the outstanding shares of Move was approximately $864 million, which was funded with cash on hand. The Company also assumed equity-based compensation awards with a fair value of $67 million, of which $28 million was allocated to pre-combination services and included in total consideration transferred for Move. The remaining $39 million was allocated to future services and was expensed over the weighted average remaining service period of 2.5 years. In addition, the Company assumed Move’s outstanding indebtedness of approximately $129 million, which the Company settled following the acquisition, and acquired approximately $108 million of cash.

The total transaction value for the Move acquisition is set forth below (in millions):

 

Cash paid for Move equity

   $ 864  

Assumed equity-based compensation awards—pre-combination services

     28  
  

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

     892  

Plus: Assumed debt

     129  

Plus: Assumed equity-based compensation awards—post-combination services

     39  

Less: Cash acquired

     (108
  

 

 

 

Total transaction value

   $ 952  
  

 

 

 

Move’s results of operations are included within the Digital Real Estate Services segment, and it is considered a separate reporting unit for purposes of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment review.

In November 2014, SEEKAsia Limited (“SEEK Asia”), in which the Company owned a 12.1% interest, acquired the online employment businesses of JobStreet Corporation Berhad (“JobStreet”), which were combined with JobsDB, Inc., SEEK Asia’s existing online employment business. The transaction was funded primarily through additional contributions by SEEK Asia shareholders which did not have an impact on the Company’s ownership. The Company’s share of the funding contribution was approximately $60 million. In June 2015, the Company purchased an additional 0.8% interest in SEEK Asia for approximately $7 million, which increased the Company’s investment to approximately 12.9%. In June 2016, the Company’s interest in SEEK Asia increased to approximately 13.75% as a result of the repurchase and cancellation of shares owned by certain other shareholders.

In August 2014, the Company acquired Harlequin Enterprises Limited (“Harlequin”) from Torstar Corporation for $414 million in cash, net of $19 million of cash acquired. Harlequin is a leading publisher of women’s fiction and extends HarperCollins’ global platform, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific. Harlequin is a subsidiary of HarperCollins, and its results are included within the Book Publishing segment.

 

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Results of Operations—Fiscal 2017 versus Fiscal 2016

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 2,860     $ 3,025     $ (165     (5)%  

Circulation and subscription

     2,470       2,569       (99     (4)%  

Consumer

     1,573       1,578       (5     —    

Real estate

     696       619       77       12%  

Other

     540       501       39       8%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     8,139       8,292       (153     (2)%  

Operating expenses

     (4,529     (4,728     199       4%  

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,725     (2,722     (3     —    

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     —         (158     158       **      

Depreciation and amortization

     (449     (505     56       11%  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (927     (89     (838     **      

Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates

     (295     30       (325     **      

Interest, net

     39       43       (4     (9)%  

Other, net

     132       18       114       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit

     (615     181       (796     **      

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (28     54       (82     **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

     (643     235       (878     **      

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         15       (15     **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

     (643     250       (893     **      

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (95     (71     (24     (34)%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to News Corporation

     (738   $ 179     $ (917     **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

RevenuesRevenues decreased $153 million, or 2%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. The Revenue decrease was mainly due to a decrease in revenues at the News and Information Services segment of $269 million, primarily resulting from weakness in the print advertising market across mastheads, the $143 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $77 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017. The revenue decrease was partially offset by the acquisitions of Wireless Group and ARM which contributed $74 million and $61 million in revenues, respectively. The decrease in the News and Information Services segment was partially offset by increased revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $116 million, primarily as a result of higher revenues at both REA Group and Move.

The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies and the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 resulted in revenue decreases of $147 million and $112 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. The Company calculates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations for businesses reporting in currencies other than the U.S. dollar by multiplying the results for each quarter in the current period by the difference between the average exchange rate for that quarter and the average exchange rate in effect during the corresponding quarter of the prior year and totaling the impact for all quarters in the current period.

Operating expensesOperating expenses decreased $199 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. The decrease in Operating expenses for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 was mainly due to a decrease in operating expenses at the News and Information Services segment of $199 million,

 

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primarily as a result of the impact of cost savings initiatives and lower newsprint, production, and distribution costs and a $74 million positive impact from foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by higher costs of $75 million associated with the acquisitions of ARM and Wireless Group. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in an Operating expense decrease of $59 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expensesSelling, general and administrative expenses increased $3 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher expenses at the News and Information Services segment of $10 million, mainly due to $56 million in higher costs associated with the acquisitions of Wireless Group and ARM, and $19 million in higher costs at News America Marketing, primarily due to a $12 million increase in investment spending at Checkout 51, partially offset by the $63 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The increase was also attributable to a one-time corporate charge of $11 million associated with a change in the Company’s executive management in February 2017. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Selling, general and administrative expense decrease of $87 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net—During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized one-time costs of approximately $280 million in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims at News America Marketing and a one-time gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, Inc. (“Zillow”). The gain reflects settlement proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to the National Association of Realtors® (“NAR”). (See Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization expense decreased $56 million, or 11%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to the write-down of fixed assets at the Australian newspapers in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a depreciation and amortization expense decrease of $9 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

Impairment and restructuring chargesDuring the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized total impairment charges of $785 million, primarily at News UK and News Corp Australia. The total charges consisted of a write-down of the Company’s fixed assets of $679 million, a write-down of intangible assets of $58 million and a write-down of goodwill of $48 million.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company reduced its outlook for the U.K. newspapers due to the impact of adverse print advertising and print circulation trends on the future expected performance of the business. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $360 million related to the write-down of fixed assets at the U.K. newspapers. The write-down was comprised of approximately $252 million related to print sites, $85 million related to printing presses and print related equipment and $23 million related to capitalized software. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were a discount rate of 8.5% and a -1.0% long term growth rate.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $310 million primarily related to the write-down of fixed assets at the Australian newspapers. The write-down was a result of the impact of adverse trends on the future expected performance of the Australian newspapers, where revenue declines from continued weakness in the print advertising market accelerated during the second quarter. The write-down was comprised of approximately $149 million related to printing presses and print related equipment, $77 million related to facilities, $66 million related to capitalized software and $18 million related to tradenames. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were a discount rate of 11.5% and no long-term growth.

 

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In fiscal 2017, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $142 million, of which $133 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

In connection with a reorganization at Dow Jones, the Company incurred $38 million of restructuring expense in fiscal 2017, which is included in the restructuring charges discussed above. The reorganization is expected to reduce the Company’s costs by approximately $100 million on an annualized basis by the end of fiscal 2018.

In fiscal 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $89 million, of which $79 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

Equity (losses) earnings of affiliatesEquity (losses) earnings of affiliates decreased $325 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily as a result of the $227 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of the Company’s investment in Foxtel to fair value and lower net income at Foxtel. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Foxtel(a)

   $ (265   $ 38     $ (303     **  

Other equity affiliates, net(b)

     (30     (8     (22     **  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates

   $ (295   $ 30     $ (325     **  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful
(a) 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a $227 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of its investment in Foxtel to fair value. The write-down is reflected in Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), the Company amortized $68 million and $52 million related to excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets allocated to finite-lived intangible assets during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Such amortization is reflected in Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements). The increase in amortization expense recognized by the Company in fiscal 2017 resulted from a corresponding decrease in amortization expense recognized by Foxtel as certain intangible assets were fully amortized in fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Foxtel revenues increased $32 million, or 1%, as a result of the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations, as revenues decreased 2% in local currency due to lower subscribers. Operating income decreased $20 million, primarily due to planned increases in programming spend and the lower revenues noted above, partially offset by lower depreciation costs and the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Net income decreased $121 million, mainly due to $58 million in losses associated with the change in the fair value of Foxtel’s investment in Ten Network Holdings (“Ten”) and losses of $53 million associated with Presto, primarily resulting from Foxtel management’s decision to cease Presto operations in January 2017. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, Foxtel was deemed to have significant influence over its investment in Ten. As a result, Foxtel was required to treat its investment in Ten as an equity method investment. Foxtel elected the fair value option under ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”) and adjusts the carrying value of the Ten investment to fair value each reporting period. Although Foxtel ceased to have significant

 

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influence in Ten during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, it will continue to adjust the carrying value of the Ten investment to fair value each reporting period due to its election of the fair value option under ASC 825. This adjustment will be recorded as a component of Foxtel’s net income.

 

(b) 

Other equity affiliates, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 includes losses primarily from the Company’s interest in Elara. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized impairments of $9 million on certain other equity method investments. The impairments are reflected in Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates in the Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Interest, net—Interest, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 decreased $4 million, or 9%, as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to higher interest expense associated with the REA Facility. (See Note 9—Borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other, net

 

     For the fiscal years ended
June 30,
 
(in millions)        2017             2016      

Gain on sale of REA Group’s European business(a)

   $ 107     $  —    

Gain on iProperty transaction(b)

     —         29  

Impairment of marketable securities and cost method investments(c)

     (21     (21

Gain on sale of other businesses

     19       2  

Gain on sale of equity method investments

     11       1  

Gain on sale of marketable securities

     7       1  

Dividends received from cost method investments

     3       —    

Other

     6       6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other, net

   $ 132     $ 18  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $107 million in the year ended June 30, 2017 related to REA Group’s sale of its European business. (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals, and Other Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

(b) 

The Company recorded a $29 million gain resulting from the revaluation of REA Group’s previously held interest in iProperty during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals, and Other Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

(c) 

The Company recorded write-offs and impairments of certain investments in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. These write-offs and impairments were taken either as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the investee or due to an other-than-temporary impairment resulting from sustained losses and limited prospects for recovery. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income tax (expense) benefitThe Company’s income tax expense and effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 were $28 million and (5%), respectively, as compared to an income tax benefit and effective tax rate of $54 million and (30%), respectively, for fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 the Company recorded a tax expense of $28 million on pre-tax loss of $615 million resulting in an effective tax rate that was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The lower tax rate was primarily due to $139 million of lower tax benefits on impairments and write-downs in foreign jurisdictions of approximately $1 billion, a tax expense of approximately $63 million related to the settlement of a foreign tax audit and $40 million related to the recording of valuation allowance against foreign net operating losses, offset by lower taxes on the sale of certain business assets.

 

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For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $54 million on pre-tax income of $181 million resulting in an effective tax rate that was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The lower tax rate was primarily due to a tax benefit of approximately $106 million related to the release of previously established valuation allowances related to certain U.S. federal net operating losses and state deferred tax assets. This benefit was recognized in conjunction with management’s plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, as the Company now expects to generate sufficient U.S. taxable income to utilize these deferred tax assets prior to expiration. In addition, the effective tax rate was also impacted by the $29 million non-taxable gain resulting from the revaluation of REA Group’s previously held equity interest in iProperty. (See Note 18—Income Taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax—For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company did not recognize any income from discontinued operations as the operations of the digital education business were discontinued during fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $15 million. The income recognized in fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the impact of a $144 million tax benefit recognized upon reclassification of the Digital Education segment to discontinued operations, a tax benefit of $30 million related to the operations for the period and lower operating losses as a result of the sale of Amplify Insight and Amplify Learning, which more than offset the pre-tax non-cash impairment charge recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 of $76 million and $17 million in severance and lease termination charges recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. (See Note 4—Discontinued Operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net (loss) incomeNet (loss) income decreased $893 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to non-cash impairment charges of approximately $785 million, mainly related to the write-down of fixed assets at the U.K. and Australian newspapers, higher equity losses of affiliates, primarily due to the $227 million non-cash write-down of the carrying value of the Company’s investment in Foxtel to fair value, the absence of the one-time gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, and the tax benefit related to the release of valuation allowances and income from discontinued operations recognized in fiscal 2016 which did not recur in fiscal 2017, partially offset by the absence of the $280 million NAM Group settlement charge in the prior year and higher Other, net.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestsNet income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $24 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016, due to the gain on the sale of REA Group’s European business.

Segment Analysis

Segment EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses and excluding the impact from the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements. Segment EBITDA does not include: depreciation and amortization, impairment and restructuring charges, equity (losses) earnings of affiliates, interest, net, other, net, income tax (expense) benefit and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Segment EBITDA.

Segment EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources within the Company’s businesses. Segment EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts with a measure to analyze the operating performance of each of the Company’s business segments and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences).

 

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Total Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net (loss) income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as depreciation and amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. The Company believes that the presentation of Total Segment EBITDA provides useful information regarding the Company’s operations and other factors that affect the Company’s reported results. Specifically, the Company believes that by excluding certain one-time or non-cash items such as impairment and restructuring charges and depreciation and amortization, as well as potential distortions between periods caused by factors such as financing and capital structures and changes in tax positions or regimes, the Company provides users of its consolidated financial statements with insight into both its core operations as well as the factors that affect reported results between periods but which the Company believes are not representative of its core business. As a result, users of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are better able to evaluate changes in the core operating results of the Company across different periods. The following table reconciles Total Segment EBITDA to (Loss) income from continuing operations:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

   $ 8,139     $ 8,292     $ (153     (2)%  

Operating expenses

     (4,529     (4,728     199       4%  

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,725     (2,722     (3     —  %  

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     —         (158     158       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment EBITDA

     885       684       201       29%  

Depreciation and amortization

     (449     (505     56       11%  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (927     (89     (838     **      

Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates

     (295     30       (325     **      

Interest, net

     39       43       (4     (9)%  

Other, net

     132       18       114       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit

     (615     181       (796     **      

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (28     54       (82     **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (643   $ 235     $ (878     **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016  
(in millions)    Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
    Revenues      Segment
EBITDA
 

News and Information Services

   $ 5,069      $ 414     $ 5,338      $ 214  

Book Publishing

     1,636        199       1,646        185  

Digital Real Estate Services

     938        324       822        344  

Cable Network Programming

     494        123       484        124  

Other

     2        (175     2        (183
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,139      $ 885     $ 8,292      $ 684  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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News and Information Services (62% and 64% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 2,608     $ 2,810     $ (202     (7)%  

Circulation and subscription

     2,010       2,107       (97     (5)%  

Other

     451       421       30       7%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     5,069       5,338       (269     (5)%  

Operating expenses

     (2,943     (3,142     199       6%  

Selling, general and administrative

     (1,712     (1,702     (10     (1)%  

NAM Group settlement

     —         (280     280       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 414     $ 214     $ 200       93%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, revenues at the News and Information Services segment decreased $269 million, or 5%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The revenue decrease was mainly due to lower advertising revenues of $202 million as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily resulting from weakness in the print advertising market across mastheads, the $33 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, the $28 million negative impact from foreign currency fluctuations and lower advertising revenues of $16 million from the Perth Sunday Times which was sold in November 2016. These decreases were partially offset by the acquisitions of Wireless Group and ARM, which contributed $63 million and $42 million of advertising revenues, respectively. Circulation and subscription revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 decreased $97 million as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to the $88 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $39 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, which more than offset higher circulation and subscription revenues at Dow Jones. Other revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 increased $30 million as compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to higher brand partnership revenues in the U.K. of $14 million, higher third-party printing revenues in Australia of $10 million and the acquisitions of Wireless Group and Unruly, which contributed $11 million and $8 million, respectively, to the increase. These increases were partially offset by the $27 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies and the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 resulted in revenue decreases of $143 million and $77 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Segment EBITDA at the News and Information Services segment increased $200 million, or 93%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The increase was primarily due to the absence of the $280 million NAM Group settlement charge in the prior year and the $12 million impact of an adjustment to the deferred consideration accrual related to the acquisition of Unruly. These factors were partially offset by lower contributions from News Corp Australia, News UK and Dow Jones of $44 million, $36 million and $22 million, respectively, primarily due to the impact of lower advertising revenues as discussed above, partially offset by the impact of cost savings initiatives and lower newsprint, production, editorial and distribution costs.

News Corp Australia

Revenues at the Australian newspapers were $1,271 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $21 million, or 2%, compared to fiscal 2016 revenues of $1,292 million. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies and the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 resulted in a revenue increase of $43 million, or 3%, and a revenue decrease of $21 million, or 2%, respectively, for the

 

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fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. Advertising revenues decreased $46 million, primarily as a result of the $94 million impact of weakness in the print advertising market, lower advertising revenues of $16 million from the Perth Sunday Times, which was sold in November 2016, and the $14 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017. These decreases were partially offset by the acquisition of ARM, which contributed $42 million to advertising revenues, and the $25 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Circulation and subscription revenues increased $7 million due to the $14 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations and $13 million from the acquisition of ARM, partially offset by lower circulation and subscription revenues of $10 million primarily from the Perth Sunday Times and the $7 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, as price increases and digital subscriber growth were offset by print volume declines. Other revenues increased $18 million primarily due to higher third-party printing revenues.

News UK

Revenues were $1,037 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $244 million, or 19%, as compared to fiscal 2016 revenues of $1,281 million. Advertising revenues decreased $114 million, primarily due to the $52 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $51 million impact from weakness in the print advertising. Circulation and subscription revenues decreased $111 million, primarily due to the $96 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $13 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017, as the $33 million impact of single-copy volume declines, primarily at The Sun, was offset by the $32 million impact of cover price increases across The Sun and The Times. Other revenues decreased $19 million due to the $29 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher brand partnership revenues. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies and the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 resulted in revenue decreases of $177 million and $21 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

Dow Jones

Revenues were $1,479 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, a decrease of $91 million, or 6%, as compared to fiscal 2016 revenues of $1,570 million. Advertising revenues decreased $103 million, primarily due to the $95 million impact of weakness in the print advertising market. Circulation and subscription revenues increased $9 million, primarily due to the $38 million impact of price increases and volume growth at The Wall Street Journal, partially offset by the $19 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 and the $6 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, as professional information business revenues were relatively flat compared to fiscal 2016. The absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017 and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in revenue decreases of $26 million and $6 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.

News America Marketing

Revenues at News America Marketing were $1,021 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, an increase of $9 million, or 1%, as compared to fiscal 2016 revenues of $1,012 million. The increase was primarily due to higher other revenues of $9 million related to certain merchandising products. Advertising revenues were flat, as higher domestic in-store product revenues of $42 million and certain other increases were offset by lower home delivered revenues, which include free-standing insert products, of $51 million.

 

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Book Publishing (20% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2017 and 2016)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Consumer

   $ 1,573     $ 1,578     $ (5     —    

Other

     63       68       (5     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     1,636       1,646       (10     (1 )% 

Operating expenses

     (1,124     (1,145     21       2

Selling, general and administrative

     (313     (316     3       1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 199     $ 185     $ 14       8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, revenues at the Book Publishing segment decreased $10 million, or 1%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The decrease was mainly due to the absence of $42 million in sales of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee, the $34 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $19 million impact from the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017. These decreases were partially offset by strong frontlist and backlist sales in the general books category, which increased $43 million, including Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, and in the Christian publishing category, which increased $24 million, including The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines and Jesus Calling and Jesus Always by Sarah Young, as well as the $25 million impact of the continued expansion of HarperCollins’ global footprint. Digital sales represented 19% of Consumer revenues during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 and were flat as compared to fiscal 2016.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Segment EBITDA at the Book Publishing segment increased $14 million, or 8%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The increase was primarily due to the mix of titles as compared to the prior year.

Digital Real Estate Services (12% and 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 165     $ 133     $ 32       24

Circulation and subscription

     58       64       (6     (9 )% 

Real estate

     696       619       77       12

Other

     19       6       13       *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     938       822       116       14

Operating expenses

     (120     (102     (18     (18 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (494     (498     4       1

Zillow settlement

     —         122       (122     *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 324     $ 344     $ (20     (6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

**—not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $116 million, or 14%, as compared to fiscal 2016. At REA Group, revenues increased $66 million, or 14%, to $525 million in fiscal 2017 from $459 million in fiscal 2016, primarily due to a $45 million increase in Australian residential depth revenue and the $18 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by an $18 million decrease resulting from the sale of REA Group’s European business in December 2016. Revenues at Move increased $37 million, or 10%, to $394 million in fiscal 2017 from $357 million in fiscal 2016,

 

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primarily due to a $38 million increase in ConnectionsSM for Buyers product revenues and a $12 million increase in non-listing media revenues, partially offset by the $12 million impact of lower revenues from TigerLead® , which was sold in November 2016. The acquisition of DIAKRIT also contributed $13 million to the revenue increase for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Segment EBITDA at the Digital Real Estate Services segment decreased $20 million, or 6%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The decrease in Segment EBITDA was the result of the $63 million lower contribution from Move, primarily due to the absence of the $122 million gain recognized in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow in fiscal 2016 and $11 million of increased marketing costs to drive traffic growth and brand awareness, partially offset by the higher revenues noted above and the absence of $36 million of legal costs, primarily related to the Zillow litigation. The decrease was partially offset by the $46 million higher contribution from REA Group, primarily due to the higher revenues noted above, the $11 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the absence of $12 million of costs associated with REA Group’s European business, which was disposed of in fiscal 2017, partially offset by $16 million in higher costs associated with higher revenues and $14 million in higher costs related to the acquisition of iProperty.

Cable Network Programming (6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2017 and 2016)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 86     $ 81     $ 5       6

Circulation and subscription

     402       398       4       1

Other

     6       5       1       20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     494       484       10       2

Operating expenses

     (341     (336     (5     (1 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (30     (24     (6     (25 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 123     $ 124     $ (1     (1 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment increased $10 million, or 2% as compared to fiscal 2016. The revenue increase was primarily due to the acquisition of ANC, which contributed $20 million of revenue in fiscal 2017 and the $12 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. These increases were partially offset by lower affiliate revenues of $11 million at FOX SPORTS Australia and the $10 million impact of the absence of the 53rd week in fiscal 2017.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, Segment EBITDA at the Cable Network Programming segment decreased $1 million, or 1%, as compared to fiscal 2016. The decrease in Segment EBITDA was due to the $3 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations as the impact of lower revenues at FOX SPORTS Australia were offset by lower programming rights costs.

 

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Results of Operations—Fiscal 2016 versus Fiscal 2015

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 3,025     $ 3,349     $ (324     (10)%  

Circulation and Subscription

     2,569       2,608       (39     (1)%  

Consumer

     1,578       1,594       (16     (1)%  

Real estate

     619       486       133       27%  

Other

     501       487       14       3%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     8,292       8,524       (232     (3)%  

Operating expenses

     (4,728     (4,952     224       5%  

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,722     (2,627     (95     (4)%  

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     (158     —         (158     **      

Depreciation and amortization

     (505     (498     (7     (1)%  

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (89     (84     (5     (6)%  

Equity earnings of affiliates

     30       58       (28     (48)%  

Interest, net

     43       56       (13     (23)%  

Other, net

     18       75       (57     (76)%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax benefit (expense)

     181       552       (371     (67)%  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     54       (185     239       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     235       367       (132     (36)%  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     15       (445     460       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     250       (78     328       **      

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (71     (69     (2     (3)%  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to News Corporation

   $ 179     $ (147   $ 326       **      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

RevenuesRevenues decreased $232 million, or 3%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was mainly due to a decrease in revenues at the News and Information Services segment of $393 million, primarily resulting from the $290 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, weakness in the print advertising market across mastheads and lower free-standing insert product revenues at News America Marketing of $98 million. The revenue decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $197 million, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and increased revenues at REA Group. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar amount against local currencies and the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue decrease of $455 million and increase of $112 million, respectively for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Operating ExpensesOperating expenses decreased $224 million, or 5%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease in Operating expenses was mainly due to a decrease in operating expenses at the News and Information Services segment of $300 million, primarily as a result of the $157 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations, lower newsprint, production and distribution costs and the impact of cost savings initiatives. The decrease in Operating expenses was partially offset by higher operating expenses at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $44 million due to the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and $39 million at the Book Publishing segment primarily due to higher costs associated with increased print book sales. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in an operating expense decrease of $199 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expensesSelling, general and administrative expenses increased $95 million, or 4%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher expenses at the Digital Real Estate Services segment of $132 million as a result of the acquisition of Move in November 2014 and increased costs in the News and Information Services segment of $16 million. The increases at the News and Information Services segment were primarily due to increased costs of $41 million related to the acquisition of Unruly in September 2015, an approximate $40 million in increased brand marketing and promotional expenses primarily at the U.K. newspapers, and $28 million at NAM primarily due to the acquisition of Checkout 51 in July 2015, partially offset by the $117 million positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The increases were partially offset by lower costs associated with the U.K. Newspaper Matters of $31 million and lower expenses at the Book Publishing segment of $24 million primarily as a result of cost savings initiatives. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a Selling, general and administrative expense decrease of $186 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net—During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized one-time costs of approximately $280 million in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims at News America Marketing. In addition, in the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized a gain of $122 million in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow, which reflects settlement proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to NAR. (See Note 15—Commitments and Contingences in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization expense increased $7 million, or 1%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization expense at the Digital Real Estate Services segment due to the acquisition of Move in November 2014, partially offset by the positive impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against local currencies resulted in a depreciation and amortization expense decrease of $27 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Restructuring chargesIn fiscal 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $89 million, of which $79 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

In fiscal 2015, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $84 million, of which $75 million related to the News and Information Services segment. The restructuring charges were primarily related to employee termination benefits.

Equity earnings of affiliatesEquity earnings of affiliates decreased $28 million, or 48%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily as a result of lower net income at Foxtel.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
                 Better/(Worse)  

(in millions, except %)

        

Foxtel(a)

   $ 38     $ 59     $ (21     (36 )% 

Other equity affiliates(b)

     (8     (1     (7     *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity earnings of affiliates

   $ 30     $ 58     $ (28     (48 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful
(a) 

In accordance with ASC 350, the Company amortized $52 million and $57 million related to excess cost over the Company’s proportionate share of its investment’s underlying net assets allocated to finite-lived intangible assets during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Such amortization is reflected in Equity earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying

 

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Consolidated Financial Statements). For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Foxtel revenues decreased $279 million, or 10%, as a result of the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher revenues in local currency. Operating income decreased primarily due to the negative net impact of foreign currency fluctuations, increased investment in programming to support subscriber growth, higher offer costs and continued investment in Presto, partially offset by lower depreciation expense resulting from Foxtel’s reassessment of the useful lives of cable and satellite installations. Net income decreased as a result of the lower operating income noted above, partially offset by lower income tax expense.

(b) 

Other equity affiliates, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 includes losses primarily from the Company’s interests in Draftstars and Elara.

Interest, net—Interest, net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $13 million, or 23%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and interest expense associated with the REA Facility. (See Note 9—Borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Other, net

 

     For the fiscal years ended
June 30,
 
         2016             2015      
     (in millions)  

Gain on iProperty transaction(a)

   $ 29     $  —    

Impairment of marketable securities and cost method investments(b)

     (21     (5

Gain on sale of other businesses

     2       —    

Gain on sale of equity method investments

     1       7  

Gain on sale of marketable securities(c)

     1       29  

Dividends received from cost method investments

     —         25  

Gain on sale of cost method investments

     —         15  

Other

     6       4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Other, net

   $ 18     $ 75  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Company recorded a $29 million gain resulting from the revaluation of REA Group’s previously held interest in iProperty during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. (See Note 3—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

(b) 

The Company recorded write-offs and impairments of certain investments in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. These write-offs and impairments were taken either as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the investee or due to an other-than-temporary impairment resulting from sustained losses and limited prospects for recovery. (See Note 6—Investments in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

(c) 

In August 2014, REA Group completed the sale of a minority interest held in marketable securities for total cash consideration of $104 million. As a result of the sale, REA Group recognized a pre-tax gain of $29 million, which was reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in Other, net in the Statement of Operations.

Income tax benefit (expense)The Company’s income tax benefit and effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 were $54 million and (30%), respectively, as compared to an income tax expense and effective tax rate of $185 million and 34%, respectively, for fiscal 2015.

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 the Company recorded a tax benefit of $54 million on pre-tax income of $181 million resulting in an effective tax rate that was lower than the U.S. statutory tax. The lower tax rate was primarily due to a tax benefit of approximately $106 million related to the release of previously established valuation allowances related to certain U.S. federal net operating losses and state deferred tax assets. This benefit

 

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was recognized in conjunction with management’s plan to dispose of the Company’s digital education business in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, as the Company now expects to generate sufficient U.S. taxable income to utilize these deferred tax assets prior to expiration. In addition, the effective tax rate was also impacted by the $29 million non-taxable gain resulting from the revaluation of REA Group’s previously held equity interest in iProperty.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact from foreign operations which are subject to lower tax rates, partially offset by the impact of nondeductible items and changes in our accrued liabilities for uncertain tax positions. (See Note 18—Income Taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxFor the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $15 million as compared to a loss of $445 million for fiscal 2015. The income recognized in fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the impact of a $144 million tax benefit recognized upon reclassification of the Digital Education segment to discontinued operations, a tax benefit of $30 million related to the current year operations and lower operating losses as a result of the sale of Amplify Insight and Amplify Learning, which more than offset the pre-tax non-cash impairment charge recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 of $76 million and $17 million in severance and lease termination charges recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The loss recognized in fiscal 2015 primarily relates to a non-cash impairment charge of $371 million recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2015 and a full year of operating losses at Amplify in 2015. (See Note 4—Discontinued Operations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Net income (loss)Net income increased $328 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to higher income from discontinued operations and the income tax benefit discussed above, partially offset by the negative net impact of the NAM Group and Zillow legal settlements, lower Total Segment EBITDA, the lower contribution from Other, net, lower equity earnings, primarily from Foxtel, and lower Interest, net.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestsNet income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased by $2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015, due to higher results at REA Group, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Segment Analysis

Segment EBITDA is defined as revenues less operating expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses and the NAM Group and Zillow settlement charge. Segment EBITDA does not include: depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, equity earnings of affiliates, interest, net, other, net, income tax benefit (expense) and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of Segment EBITDA.

Segment EBITDA is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate the performance of and allocate resources within the Company’s businesses. Segment EBITDA provides management, investors and equity analysts with a measure to analyze the operating performance of each of the Company’s business segments and its enterprise value against historical data and competitors’ data, although historical results may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences).

Total Segment EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this measure does not reflect cash available to fund requirements and excludes items, such as

 

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depreciation and amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. The Company believes that the presentation of Total Segment EBITDA provides useful information regarding the Company’s operations and other factors that affect the Company’s reported results. Specifically, the Company believes that by excluding certain one-time or non-cash items such as impairment and restructuring charges and depreciation and amortization, as well as potential distortions between periods caused by factors such as financing and capital structures and changes in tax positions or regimes, the Company provides users of its consolidated financial statements with insight into both its core operations as well as the factors that affect reported results between periods but which the Company believes are not representative of its core business. As a result, users of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are better able to evaluate changes in the core operating results of the Company across different periods. The following table reconciles Total Segment EBITDA to Income (loss) from continuing operations.

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     Change %  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

   $ 8,292     $ 8,524     $ (232     (3 )% 

Operating expenses

     (4,728     (4,952     224       5

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (2,722     (2,627     (95     (4 )% 

NAM Group and Zillow settlements, net

     (158     —         (158     **  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Segment EBITDA

     684       945       (261     (28 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     (505     (498     (7     (1 )% 

Impairment and restructuring charges

     (89     (84     (5     (6 )% 

Equity earnings of affiliates

     30       58       (28     (48 )% 

Interest, net

     43       56       (13     (23 )% 

Other, net

     18       75       (57     (76 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit

     181       552       (371     (67 )% 

Income tax (expense) benefit

     54       (185     239       **  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     235       367       (132     (36 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015  
            Segment            Segment  
     Revenues      EBITDA     Revenues      EBITDA  
     (in millions)  

News and Information Services

   $ 5,338      $ 214     $ 5,731      $ 603  

Book Publishing

     1,646        185       1,667        221  

Digital Real Estate Services

     822        344       625        201  

Cable Network Programming

     484        124       500        135  

Other

     2        (183     1        (215
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 8,292      $ 684     $ 8,524      $ 945  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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News and Information Services (64% and 67% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 2,810     $ 3,163     $ (353     (11 )% 

Circulation and subscription

     2,107       2,159       (52     (2 )% 

Other

     421       409       12       3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     5,338       5,731       (393     (7 )% 

Operating expenses

     (3,142     (3,442     300       9

Selling, general and administrative

     (1,702     (1,686     (16     (1 )% 

NAM Group settlement

     (280     —         (280     *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 214     $ 603     $ (389     (65 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the News and Information Services segment decreased $393 million, or 7%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was mainly due to lower advertising revenues of $353 million as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily resulting from the $152 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, weakness in the print advertising market and $98 million lower free-standing insert product revenues at News America Marketing. Circulation and subscription revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 decreased $52 million as compared to fiscal 2015 due to the $109 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher paid circulation and subscription revenues at Dow Jones and the Australian newspapers primarily resulting from price increases and digital subscriber growth. Other revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 increased $12 million as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to the $45 million contribution from Unruly which was acquired in September 2015, partially offset by the $29 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $77 million.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the News and Information Services segment decreased $389 million, or 65%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to one-time costs of approximately $280 million recognized in connection with the settlement of certain litigation and related claims, lower free-standing insert product revenues discussed above and a loss of $20 million at Checkout 51, primarily related to investment spending and acquisition-related costs. Segment EBITDA was also impacted by a decrease of $27 million at the Australian newspapers, primarily resulting from the $14 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and lower advertising revenues, which more than offset the impact of lower newsprint, production and distribution costs, and at the U.K. newspapers of $23 million, primarily due to lower revenues and higher promotion and marketing costs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $22 million at Dow Jones, primarily due to lower newsprint, production and distribution costs and the impact of cost savings initiatives.

News Corp Australia

Revenues at the Australian newspapers were $1,292 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $241 million, or 16%, as compared to fiscal 2015 revenues of $1,533 million. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar resulted in a revenue decrease of $194 million, or 13%. Advertising revenues declined $203 million, primarily as a result of the $121 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and the $93 million impact of weakness in the print advertising market in Australia. Circulation and subscription revenues declined $43 million due to the $57 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, partially offset by the $18 million impact of price increases, digital subscriber growth and the positive impact of the 53rd week.

 

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News UK

Revenues were $1,281 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $142 million, or 10%, as compared to fiscal 2016 revenues of $1,423 million. The impact of foreign currency fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against the British pound resulted in a revenue decrease of $80 million, or 6%, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. Advertising revenues decreased $63 million, primarily due to the $52 million impact from print market declines and the $25 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Circulation and subscription revenues decreased $41 million due to the $42 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Lower revenues of $55 million resulting from single-copy volume declines, primarily at The Sun, and changes in the digital strategy at The Sun, were offset by the $53 million impact from cover price increases, higher subscriptions at The Times and The Sunday Times and the 53rd week. Other revenues decreased $38 million due to a reduction in newsprint sales to third parties.

Dow Jones

Revenues were $1,570 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, an increase of $4 million, as compared to fiscal 2015 revenues of $1,566 million. Circulation and subscription revenues increased by $33 million, due to higher revenues at The Wall Street Journal of $20 million primarily related to price increases and digital volume growth and the $19 million positive impact of the 53rd week, partially offset by the $10 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Professional information business revenues were flat compared to fiscal 2015. Advertising revenues decreased $27 million primarily resulting from lower print advertising of $36 million, partially offset by higher digital advertising revenues. The impact of the 53rd week resulted in a revenue increase of $7 million.

News America Marketing

Revenues at News America Marketing were $1,012 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $63 million, or 6%, as compared to fiscal 2015 revenues of $1,075 million. The decrease was primarily due to decreased revenues for free-standing insert products of $98 million, partially offset by increased in-store product revenues of $18 million.

Book Publishing (20% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Consumer

   $ 1,578     $ 1,594     $ (16     (1 )% 

Other

     68       73       (5     (7 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     1,646       1,667       (21     (1 )% 

Operating expenses

     (1,145     (1,106     (39     (4 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (316     (340     24       7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 185     $ 221     $ (36     (16 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the Book Publishing segment decreased $21 million, or 1%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of $69 million in higher sales of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and American Sniper by Chris Kyle in the prior year, the $39 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations and an industry-wide decline in e-book sales. These decreases were partially offset by higher print book sales across all genres, including sales of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee in fiscal 2016 of $42 million, $37 million due to strong sales in the Christian Publishing and Children’s Categories, $23 million related to the acquisition of Harlequin in August 2014 and $21 million related to the continued expansion of HarperCollins’ global footprint. The Company sold 2.0 million net units of the Divergent series in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to 8.3 million net units in fiscal 2015. Digital sales represented 19% and 22% of Consumer revenues during fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. Digital sales decreased 15% as compared to

 

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fiscal 2015 due to an industry-wide decline in e-book sales and the lower contribution from the Divergent series. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, HarperCollins had 239 titles on The New York Times Bestseller List, with 30 titles reaching the number one position. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $19 million.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the Book Publishing segment decreased $36 million, or 16%, as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the mix of titles as compared to the prior year and cost saving initiatives.

Digital Real Estate Services (10% and 7% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues

        

Advertising

   $ 133     $ 103     $ 30       29

Circulation and Subscription

     64       36       28       78

Real estate

     619       486       133       27

Other

     6       —         6       *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     822       625       197       32

Operating expenses

     (102     (58     (44     (76 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     (498     (366     (132     (36 )% 

Zillow settlement

     122       —         122       *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 344     $ 201     $ 143       71
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

** not meaningful

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $197 million, or 32%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to a $169 million increase from Move which was acquired in November 2014. The majority of the increase related to the inclusion of a full year of operations in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. Approximately $40 million of the increase related to Move was driven by increased ConnectionSM for Co-brokerage product revenues and to a lesser extent, non-listing media revenues in the period from November 2015 through the end of fiscal 2016, as compared to the comparable prior year period. At REA Group, revenues increased $22 million, or 5%, to $459 million in fiscal 2016 from $437 million in fiscal 2015 resulting from higher revenues from greater residential listing depth product penetration and higher developer and media revenues, largely offset by the $66 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, Segment EBITDA at the Digital Real Estate Services segment increased $143 million, or 71%, as compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to an increase at Move resulting from a gain of $122 million recognized in connection with the settlement of litigation with Zillow. The gain reflects proceeds received from Zillow of $130 million, less $8 million paid to NAR. The results at Move were also positively impacted by transaction costs of $19 million in fiscal 2015 which did not recur in the current fiscal year and higher revenues, offset by increased legal costs of $28 million related to the Zillow litigation. Total legal costs incurred in connection with the Zillow litigation were $38 million for fiscal 2016. Segment EBITDA was also impacted by higher revenues at REA Group, noted above, which were partially offset by the $37 million negative net impact of currency fluctuations. These increases were partially offset by $7 million in one-time transaction costs related to the acquisition of iProperty.

 

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Cable Network Programming (6% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
(in millions, except %)                Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

        

Advertising

   $ 81     $ 82     $ (1     (1 )% 

Circulation and Subscription

     398       413       (15     (4 )% 

Other

     5       5       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     484       500       (16     (3 )% 

Operating expenses

     (336     (339     3       1

Selling, general and administrative

     (24     (26     2       8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ 124     $ 135     $ (11     (8 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, revenues and Segment EBITDA at the Cable Network Programming segment decreased $16 million, or 3%, and $11 million, or 8%, respectively, as compared to fiscal 2015. The revenue decrease was primarily due to the $60 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations, which more than offset higher affiliate and advertising revenues of $44 million. The impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2016 resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $10 million. The decrease in Segment EBITDA was primarily the result of the $14 million negative impact of foreign currency fluctuations as higher sports programming rights and production costs offset higher affiliate and advertising revenues discussed above.

Other (0% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in fiscal 2016 and 2015)

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
     2016     2015     Change      % Change  
(in millions, except %)    Better/(Worse)  

Revenues:

         

Advertising

   $ 1     $ 1     $   —          —    

Other

     1       —         1        *
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     2       1       1        100

Operating expenses

     (3     (7     4        57

Selling, general and administrative

     (182     (209     27        13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment EBITDA

   $ (183   $ (215   $ 32        15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

** —not meaningful

Segment EBITDA at the Other segment for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 increased $32 million, or 15%, as compared to fiscal 2015. Segment EBITDA increased primarily due to $31 million lower costs associated with the U.K. Newspaper Matters. The net expense related to the U.K. Newspaper Matters included in Selling, general and administrative expenses was $19 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $50 million in fiscal 2015.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Financial Condition

The Company’s principal source of liquidity is internally generated funds and cash and cash equivalents on hand. As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $2,016 million. The Company expects these elements of liquidity will enable it to meet its liquidity needs in the foreseeable future. As described in greater detail below, in October 2013, the Company established a revolving credit facility of $650 million, which

 

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terminates on October 23, 2020. The Company may request that the commitments be extended under certain circumstances as set forth in the credit agreement and may also request increases in the amount of the facility up to a maximum amount of $900 million. In addition, the Company expects to have access to the worldwide capital markets, subject to market conditions, in order to issue debt if needed or desired. Although the Company believes that its cash on hand and future cash from operations, together with its access to the capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund its operating and financing needs, its access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including: (i) the Company’s performance, (ii) its credit rating or absence of a credit rating, (iii) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (iv) the current state of the economy. There can be no assurances that the Company will continue to have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms. See Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for further discussion.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s consolidated assets included $1,050 million in cash and cash equivalents that was held by its foreign subsidiaries. $276 million of this amount is cash not readily accessible by the Company as it is held by REA Group, a majority owned but separately listed public company. REA Group must declare a dividend in order for the Company to have access to its share of REA Group’s cash balance. The Company earns income outside the U.S., which is deemed to be permanently reinvested in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company does not currently intend to repatriate these earnings. Should the Company require more capital in the U.S. than is generated by and/or available to its domestic operations, the Company could elect to transfer funds held in foreign jurisdictions. The transfer of funds from foreign jurisdictions may be cumbersome due to local regulations, foreign exchange controls and taxes. Additionally, the transfer of funds from foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates and higher cash paid for income taxes for the Company.

The principal uses of cash that affect the Company’s liquidity position include the following: operational expenditures including employee costs and paper purchases; capital expenditures; income tax payments; investments in associated entities and acquisitions. In addition to the acquisitions and dispositions disclosed elsewhere, the Company has evaluated, and expects to continue to evaluate, possible future acquisitions and dispositions of certain businesses. Such transactions may be material and may involve cash, the issuance of the Company’s securities or the assumption of indebtedness.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500 million of its Class A Common Stock. On May 10, 2015, the Company announced it had begun repurchasing shares of Class A Common Stock under the stock repurchase program. No stock repurchases were made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017. Through August 7, 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 5.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $71 million. The remaining authorized amount under the stock repurchase program as of August 7, 2017 was approximately $429 million. All decisions regarding any future stock repurchases are at the sole discretion of a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors and management. The committee’s decisions regarding future stock repurchases will be evaluated from time to time in light of many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the committee may deem relevant. The stock repurchase authorization may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors cannot provide any assurances that any additional shares will be repurchased.

Dividends

In August 2016, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. This dividend was paid on October 19, 2016 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 14, 2016. In February 2017, the Board of Directors declared a semi-

 

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annual cash dividend of $0.10 per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. This dividend was paid on April 19, 2017 to stockholders of record as of March 15, 2017. The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders, if any, is within the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ decisions regarding the payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt facility covenants, other contractual restrictions, as well as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice, market volatility and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Sources and Uses of Cash—Fiscal 2017 versus Fiscal 2016

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2017      2016  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 499      $ 952  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations decreased by $453 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016. The decrease was primarily due to higher NAM Group settlement payments of $234 million during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the absence of net proceeds received in fiscal 2016 from the Zillow litigation settlement of $122 million, higher restructuring payments of $41 million during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, lower dividends received from Foxtel and other equity method investments of $30 million and higher net tax payments of $30 million in fiscal 2017.

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2017     2016  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

   $ (105   $ (1,124

The Company had net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $105 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $1,124 million for fiscal 2016. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company used $347 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily for the acquisitions of Wireless Group and ARM. The Company also had capital expenditures of $256 million. The net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 was partially offset by the utilization of restricted cash for the Wireless Group acquisition of $315 million and proceeds from the sale of REA Group’s European business of approximately $140 million.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company used $520 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily for the acquisitions of iProperty, Unruly, DIAKRIT, Flatmates and Checkout 51. The Company also had capital expenditures of $256 million in fiscal 2016. Additionally, the Company had set aside $315 million of cash for use in the Wireless Group acquisition as a result of U.K. takeover regulations and classified this as restricted cash as of June 30, 2016.

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2017     2016  

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations

   $ (217   $ 150  

The Company had net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of $217 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations of $150 million for fiscal 2016. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company paid dividends of

 

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$152 million, primarily to News Corporation stockholders and REA Group minority stockholders, and repaid the debt assumed in the acquisition of Wireless Group of $23 million.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company had proceeds from borrowings under the REA Facility of approximately $340 million. The net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was partially offset by dividend payments of $147 million, primarily to News Corporation stockholders and REA Group minority stockholders, and repurchases of News Corporation shares for $41 million.

Sources and Uses of Cash—Fiscal 2016 versus Fiscal 2015

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016      2015  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 952      $ 988  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations decreased by $36 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily due to lower dividends received from Foxtel and cost method investments of $104 million and higher restructuring payments of $44 million during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was offset by net proceeds received in fiscal 2016 from the Zillow litigation settlement of $122 million and a benefit in working capital related to the 53rd week.

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016     2015  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

   $ (1,124   $ (1,671

The Company had net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $1,124 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations of $1,671 million for fiscal 2015. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company used $520 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily for the acquisitions of iProperty, Unruly, DIAKRIT, Flatmates and Checkout 51. The Company also had capital expenditures of $256 million in fiscal 2016. Additionally, the Company had set aside $315 million of cash for use in the Wireless Group acquisition as a result of U.K. takeover regulations and classified this as restricted cash as of June 30, 2016.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company used $1,190 million of cash for acquisitions, primarily the acquisitions of Move and Harlequin, and used $355 million of cash for investments, primarily consisting of approximately $112 million for its investment in HT&E, $100 million for its investment in iProperty and approximately $67 million for its investment in SEEK Asia. The Company also had capital expenditures of $308 million which included $50 million related to the relocation of the Company’s U.K. operations to a new site in London. The net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was partially offset by proceeds from dispositions of $182 million, primarily resulting from the sale of marketable securities.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows (in millions):

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30,

   2016      2015  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

   $ 150      $ (190

 

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The Company had net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations of $150 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as compared to net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations of $190 million for fiscal 2015. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, the Company had proceeds from borrowings under the REA Facility of approximately $340 million. The net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 was partially offset by dividend payments of $147 million to News Corporation stockholders and REA Group minority stockholders and repurchases of News Corporation shares for $41 million.

Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 was primarily the result of the repayment of debt assumed in the acquisition of Move of approximately $129 million and repurchases of News Corporation shares for $30 million.

Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow Available to News Corporation

Free cash flow available to News Corporation is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, less capital expenditures (“free cash flow”) less REA Group free cash flow, plus cash dividends received from REA Group. Free cash flow available to News Corporation excludes cash flows from discontinued operations. Free cash flow available to News Corporation should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, cash flows from continuing operations and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow available to News Corporation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, since companies and investors may differ as to what items should be included in the calculation of free cash flow.

The Company considers free cash flow available to News Corporation to provide useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash that is available to be used to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the Company’s business, strategic acquisitions, dividend payouts and repurchasing stock. A limitation of free cash flow available to News Corporation is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance for the period. Management compensates for the limitation of free cash flow available to News Corporation by also relying on the net change in cash and cash equivalents as presented in the Statements of Cash Flows prepared in accordance with GAAP which incorporate all cash movements during the period.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash provided by continuing operating activities to free cash flow available to News Corporation:

 

     For the fiscal years ended June 30,  
           2017                 2016                 2015        
     (in millions)  

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

   $ 499     $ 952     $ 988  

Less: Capital expenditures

     (256     (256     (308
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     243       696       680  

Less: REA Group free cash flow

     (183     (131     (130

Plus: Cash dividends received from REA Group

     53       45       45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow available to News Corporation

   $ 113     $ 610     $ 595  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow available to News Corporation decreased $497 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 to $113 million from $610 million in fiscal 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower cash provided by continuing operating activities as discussed above, as well as higher REA Group free cash flow.

Free cash flow available to News Corporation increased by $15 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 to $610 million from $595 million in fiscal 2015. The improvement was primarily due to lower capital expenditures

 

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due to the absence of costs associated with the relocation of the Company’s operations to a new site in London in fiscal 2015, partially offset by lower cash provided by continuing operating activities as discussed above.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company’s Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) provides for an unsecured $650 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) that can be used for general corporate purposes. The Facility has a sublimit of $100 million available for issuances of letters of credit. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company may request increases in the amount of the Facility up to a maximum amount of $900 million.

In October 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) which, among other things, extended the original term of the Facility by two years and lowered the commitment fee payable by the Company. As a result of the Amendment, the lenders’ commitments now terminate on October 23, 2020, and any borrowings will be due at that time. The Company may request that the commitments be extended under certain circumstances as set forth in the Credit Agreement for up to two additional one-year periods.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, with customary exceptions, including limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to engage in transactions with affiliates, incur liens, merge into or consolidate with any other entity, incur subsidiary debt or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or all or substantially all of the stock of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain an adjusted operating income leverage ratio of not more than 3.0 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. If any of the events of default occur and are not cured within applicable grace periods or waived, any unpaid amounts under the Credit Agreement may be declared immediately due and payable. As of June 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

Interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on either (a) a Eurodollar Rate formula or (b) the Base Rate formula, each as set forth in the Credit Agreement. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are based on the pricing grid in the Credit Agreement, which varies based on the Company’s adjusted operating income leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2017, the Company was paying a commitment fee of 0.225% on any undrawn balance and an applicable margin of 0.50% for a Base Rate borrowing and 1.50% for a Eurodollar Rate borrowing.

As of the date of this filing, the Company has not borrowed any funds under the Facility.

REA Group Unsecured Revolving Loan Facility

REA Group entered into an A$480 million unsecured syndicated revolving loan facility agreement in connection with the acquisition of iProperty. The REA Facility consists of three sub facilities of A$120 million, A$120 million and A$240 million which become due in December 2017, December 2018 and December 2019, respectively. In February 2016, REA Group drew down the full A$480 million (approximately $340 million as of such date) available under the REA Facility, and the proceeds, less lenders’ fees of $1 million, were used to fund the iProperty acquisition. Borrowings under the REA Facility bear interest at a floating rate of the Australian BBSY plus a margin in the range of 0.85% and 1.45% depending on REA Group’s net leverage ratio. As of June 30, 2017, REA Group was paying a margin of between 0.85% and 1.05%. REA Group paid approximately $10 million in interest for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 at a weighted average interest rate of 2.7%. The REA Facility requires REA Group to maintain a net leverage ratio of not more than 3.25 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. As of June 30, 2017, REA Group was in compliance with all of the applicable debt covenants.

 

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Commitments

The Company has commitments under certain firm contractual arrangements (“firm commitments”) to make future payments. These firm commitments secure the future rights to various assets and services to be used in the normal course of operations. The following table summarizes the Company’s material firm commitments as of June 30, 2017.

 

     As of June 30, 2017  
     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
 
     (in millions)  

Purchase obligations(a)

   $ 1,105      $ 422      $ 350      $ 195      $ 138  

Sports programming rights(b)

     1,287        223        502        427        135  

Operating leases(c)

              

Land and buildings

     1,641        157        285        222        977  

Plant and machinery

     5        3        2        —          —    

Borrowings(d)

     380        103        277        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commitments and contractual obligations

   $ 4,418      $ 908      $ 1,416      $ 844      $ 1,250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Company has commitments under purchase obligations related to printing contracts, capital projects, marketing agreements, production services and other legally binding commitments.

(b) 

The Company has sports programming rights commitments with National Rugby League, Football Federation Australia, Australian Rugby Union and International Cricket as well as certain other broadcast rights which are payable through fiscal 2023.

(c) 

The Company leases office facilities, warehouse facilities, printing plants and equipment. These leases, which are classified as operating leases, are expected to be paid at certain dates through fiscal 2062. This amount includes approximately $210 million of land and office facilities that have been subleased from 21st Century Fox.

(d) 

Primarily represents the REA Facility based on the contractual maturity date of the various sub facilities included within the agreement. (See Note 9—Borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company has certain contracts to purchase newsprint, ink and plates that require the Company to purchase a percentage of its total requirements for production. Since the quantities purchased annually under these contracts are not fixed and are based on the Company’s total requirements, the amount of the related payments for these purchases is excluded from the table above.

The table also excludes the Company’s pension obligations, other postretirement benefits (“OPEB”) obligations and the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions as the Company is unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount and timing of the commitments. The Company made contributions of $26 million and $26 million to its pension plans in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. Future plan contributions are dependent upon actual plan asset returns and interest rates and statutory requirements. The Company anticipates that it will make contributions of approximately $24 million in fiscal 2018, assuming that actual plan asset returns are consistent with the Company’s expected returns in fiscal 2017 and beyond, and that interest rates remain constant. The Company will continue to make voluntary contributions as necessary to improve the funded status of the plans. Payments due to participants under the Company’s pension plans are primarily paid out of underlying trusts. Payments due under the Company’s OPEB plans are not required to be funded in advance, but are paid as medical costs are incurred by covered retiree populations, and are principally dependent upon the future cost of retiree medical benefits under the Company’s OPEB plans. The Company expects its OPEB payments to approximate $9 million in fiscal 2018. (See Note 16—Retirement Benefit Obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

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Contingencies

The Company routinely is involved in various legal proceedings, claims and governmental inspections or investigations, including those discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The outcome of these matters and claims is subject to significant uncertainty, and the Company often cannot predict what the eventual outcome of pending matters will be or the timing of the ultimate resolution of these matters. Fees, expenses, fines, penalties, judgments or settlement costs which might be incurred by the Company in connection with the various proceedings could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal claims when it determines that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Once established, accruals are adjusted from time to time, as appropriate, in light of additional information. The amount of any loss ultimately incurred in relation to matters for which an accrual has been established may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued for such matters. Legal fees associated with litigation and similar proceedings are expensed as incurred. The Company recognizes gain contingencies when the gain becomes realized or realizable. (See Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company’s tax returns are subject to on-going review and examination by various tax authorities. Tax authorities may not agree with the treatment of items reported in the Company’s tax returns, and therefore the outcome of tax reviews and examinations can be unpredictable. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of uncertain tax matters and believes such liabilities represent a reasonable provision for taxes ultimately expected to be paid; however, these liabilities may need to be adjusted as new information becomes known and as tax examinations continue to progress. As subsidiaries of 21st Century Fox prior to the Separation, the Company and each of its domestic subsidiaries have joint and several liability with 21st Century Fox for the consolidated U.S. federal income taxes of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group relating to any taxable periods during which the Company or any of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries were a member of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group. Consequently, the Company could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any other member of the 21st Century Fox consolidated group. In conjunction with the Separation, the Company entered into the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement with 21st Century Fox, which requires 21st Century Fox to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other taxing authorities in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it is important to the Company’s financial condition and results and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. The development and selection of these critical accounting policies have been determined by management of the Company. (See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Long-lived assets

The Company’s long-lived assets, include goodwill, finite-lived and indefinite lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. Assets acquired in business combinations are recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the cost of acquiring an entity and the estimated fair values assigned to its tangible and identifiable intangible net assets and is assigned to one or more reporting units for purposes of testing for impairment.

Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples, among other items. Identifying reporting units and assigning goodwill to them requires judgment involving the aggregation of business units with similar

 

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economic characteristics and the identification of existing business units that benefit from the acquired goodwill. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of long-lived assets acquired, their reporting unit, as well as their useful lives can significantly impact net income. The Company allocates goodwill to disposed businesses using the relative fair value method.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and at other times if a significant event or change in circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of these assets has been reduced below their carrying value. The Company uses its judgment in assessing whether assets may have become impaired between annual impairment assessments. Indicators such as unexpected adverse economic factors, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts, may signal that an asset has become impaired.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”) which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and instead requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and to recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Under ASU 2017-04, in assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances exist that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing goodwill for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative analysis to determine the fair value of the business, and compare the calculated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. In performing the valuation, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit primarily by using a discounted cash flow analysis and market-based valuation approach methodologies.

Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, long-term growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company completed its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test.

The performance of the Company’s annual impairment analysis resulted in $88 million of impairments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in fiscal 2017. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were discount rates (ranging from 9.0%-25.0%), long-term growth rates (ranging from 0.0%-3.3%) and royalty rates (ranging from 0.5%-7.5%). Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the market approach valuation method were EBITDA multiples from guideline public companies operating in similar industries and control premiums (ranging from 10%-15%).

Significant increases (decreases) in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, assuming no change in discount rates, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant decreases (increases) in discount rates, assuming no changes in royalty rates, growth rates, control premiums and multiples, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

The fair values of the Company’s reporting units in fiscal 2017 exceeded the respective carrying values in a range from approximately 3% to 23%. No material impairments were identified. Any increase in the discount rate or decrease in the projected cash flows terminal growth rate would have resulted in a reporting unit of the News and Information Services segment failing the 2017 impairment analysis, which would have required the

 

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company to record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and its carrying value. The News and Information Services segment has a reporting unit with goodwill of approximately $1.4 billion at June 30, 2017 that is at-risk for future impairment. Additionally, the Company has certain other reporting units with goodwill balances of $83 million which are considered to be at-risk. The Company will continue to monitor its goodwill for possible future impairment.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company evaluates the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable, in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment” (“ASC 360”). An asset group is the lowest level of assets and liabilities for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Events or circumstances that might warrant an impairment recoverability review include, among other things, material declines in operating performance, significant adverse market conditions and planned changes in the use of an asset group.

In determining whether the carrying value of an asset group is recoverable, the Company estimates undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated life of the primary asset of the asset group. The estimates of such future cash flows require estimating such factors as future operating performance, market conditions and the estimated holding period of each asset. If all or a portion of the carrying value of an asset group is found to be non-recoverable, the Company records an impairment charge equal to the difference between the asset group’s carrying value and its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sales prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Typical assumptions applied when using a market-based approach include projected EBITDA and related multiples. Typical assumptions applied when using an income approach include projected free cash flows, discount rates and long-term growth rates. All of these assumptions are made by management based on the best available information at the time of the estimates and are subject to deviations from actual results.

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized total fixed asset write-downs of $679 million, primarily at News UK and News Corp Australia.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as part of the Company’s long-range planning process, the Company reduced its outlook for the U.K. newspapers due to the impact of adverse print advertising and print circulation trends on the future expected performance of the business. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $360 million related to the write-down of fixed assets at the U.K. newspapers. The write-down was comprised of approximately $252 million related to print sites, $85 million related to printing presses and print related equipment and $23 million related to capitalized software. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were a discount rate of 8.5% and a -1.0% long term growth rate.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $310 million primarily related to the write-down of fixed assets at the Australian newspapers. The write-down was a result of the impact of adverse trends on the future expected performance of the Australian newspapers, where revenue declines from continued weakness in the print advertising market accelerated during the second quarter. The write-down was comprised of approximately $149 million related to printing presses and print related equipment, $77 million related to facilities, $66 million related to capitalized software and $18 million related to tradenames. Significant unobservable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation method were a discount rate of 11.5% and no long-term growth. As of June 30, 2017, the Company determined that the remaining carrying value of fixed assets reviewed as part of the analysis continue to be recoverable.

 

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Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions in which it operates and records its tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences in its reported results of operations. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s tax expense and in evaluating its tax positions including evaluating uncertainties as promulgated under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.”

The Company’s annual tax rate is based on its income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies available in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation allowance recorded against the Company’s net deferred tax assets, if any. In assessing the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets, management considers estimates of the amount and character of future taxable income. The Company’s actual effective tax rate and income tax expense could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including changes in income tax laws, tax planning and the Company’s forecasted financial condition and results of operations in future periods. Although the Company believes current estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Significant management judgment is required to determine whether the recognition threshold has been met and, if so, the appropriate amount of unrecognized tax benefits to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management re-evaluates tax positions each period in which new information about recognition or measurement becomes available. The Company’s policy is to recognize, when applicable, interest and penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits as part of Income tax benefit (expense).

Retirement Benefit Obligations

The Company’s employees participate in various defined benefit pension and postretirement plans sponsored by the Company and its subsidiaries. (See Note 16—Retirement Benefit Obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

The Company records amounts relating to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans based on calculations specified by GAAP. The measurement and recognition of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans require the use of significant management judgments, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, mortality and other actuarial assumptions. Net periodic benefit costs (income) is calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a discount rate for plan obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. Current market conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates, were considered in making these assumptions. In developing the expected long-term rate of return, the pension portfolio’s past average rate of returns, and future return expectations of the various asset classes were considered. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return of 5.1% for fiscal 2018 is based on a weighted average target asset allocation assumption of 22% equities, 62% fixed-income securities and 16% cash and other investments.

The Company recorded $1 million, $8 million, and ($4) million in net periodic benefit costs (income) in the Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In fiscal 2017, the Company changed the method used to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs (income) for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. For fiscal 2016 and previous periods presented, the Company estimated the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs (income) utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate for each country in which the Company has plans derived from

 

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a yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation. The new method utilized a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to their underlying projected cash flows. The Company changed to the new method to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates. The change is accounted for as a change in accounting estimate which is applied prospectively. This change in estimate is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s pension and postretirement net periodic benefit expense in future periods.

Although the discount rate used for each plan will be established and applied individually, a weighted average discount rate of 3.0% will be used in calculating the fiscal 2018 net periodic benefit costs (income). The discount rate reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed-income investments on the Company’s annual measurement date of June 30 and is subject to change each fiscal year. The discount rate assumptions used to account for pension and other postretirement benefit plans reflect the rates at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled. The rate was determined by matching the Company’s expected benefit payments for the plans to a hypothetical yield curve developed using a portfolio of several hundred high-quality non-callable corporate bonds. The weighted average discount rate is volatile from year to year because it is determined based upon the prevailing rates in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and other foreign countries as of the measurement date.

The key assumptions used in developing the Company’s fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 net periodic benefit costs (income) for its plans consist of the following:

 

     2017     2016     2015  
     (in millions, except %)  

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs (income)

      

Discount rate for PBO

     3.1     3.9     4.2

Discount rate for Service Cost

     3.1     3.9     4.2

Discount rate for Interest on PBO

     2.6     3.9     4.2

Discount rate for Interest on Service Cost

     2.9     3.9     4.2

Assets:

      

Expected rate of return

     5.7     5.7     6.3

Expected return

   $ 75     $ 81     $ 93  

Actual return

   $ 106     $ 121     $ 96  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)

   $ 31     $ 40     $ 3  

One year actual return

     8.2     9.4     7.2

Five year actual return

     8.8     7.7     8.6

The Company will use a weighted average long-term rate of return of 5.1% for fiscal 2018 based principally on a combination of current asset mix and an expectation of future long term investment returns. The accumulated net pre-tax losses on the Company’s pension plans as of June 30, 2017 were approximately $595 million which decreased from approximately $610 million for the Company’s pension plans as of June 30, 2016. This decrease of $15 million was primarily due to favorable asset returns. Lower discount rates increase present values of benefit obligations and increase the Company’s deferred losses and also increase subsequent-year benefit costs. Higher discount rates decrease the present values of benefit obligations and reduce the Company’s accumulated net loss and also decrease subsequent-year benefit costs. These deferred losses are being systematically recognized in future net periodic benefit costs (income) in accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits.” Unrecognized losses for the primary plans in excess of 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the plan’s projected benefit obligation are recognized over the average life expectancy for plan participants for the primary plans.

The Company made contributions of $26 million, $26 million and $9 million to its funded pension plans in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Future plan contributions are dependent upon actual plan asset returns, statutory requirements and interest rate movements. Assuming that actual plan returns are consistent with the

 

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Company’s expected plan returns in fiscal 2017 and beyond, and that interest rates remain constant, the Company anticipates that it will make contributions of approximately $24 million in fiscal 2018. The Company will continue to make voluntary contributions as necessary to improve the funded status of the plans. (See Note 16 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).

Changes in net periodic benefit costs may occur in the future due to changes in the Company’s expected rate of return on plan assets and discount rate resulting from economic events. The following table highlights the sensitivity of the Company’s pension obligations and expense to changes in these assumptions, assuming all other assumptions remain constant:

 

Changes in Assumption

  

Impact on Annual

Pension Expense

  

Impact on Projected

Benefit Obligation

0.25 percentage point decrease in discount rate

   Increase $2 million    Increase $87 million

0.25 percentage point increase in discount rate

   Decrease $2 million    Decrease $79 million

0.25 percentage point decrease in expected rate of return on assets

   Increase $3 million    —  

0.25 percentage point increase in expected rate of return on assets

   Decrease $3 million    —  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company has exposure to different types of market risk including changes in foreign currency rates and stock prices. The Company neither holds nor issues financial instruments for trading purposes.

The following sections provide quantitative information on the Company’s exposure to foreign currency rate risk and stock price risk. The Company makes use of sensitivity analyses that are inherently limited in estimating actual losses in fair value that can occur from changes in market conditions.

Foreign Currency Rates

The Company conducts operations in three principal currencies: the U.S. dollar; the Australian dollar; and the British pound sterling. These currencies operate primarily as the functional currency for the Company’s U.S., Australian and U.K. operations, respectively. Cash is managed centrally within each of the three regions with net earnings reinvested locally and working capital requirements met from existing liquid funds. To the extent such funds are not sufficient to meet working capital requirements, funding in the appropriate local currencies is made available from intercompany capital. The Company does not hedge its investments in the net assets of its Australian and U.K. foreign operations.

Because of fluctuations in exchange rates, the Company is subject to currency translation exposure on the results of its operations. Foreign currency translation risk is the risk that exchange rate gains or losses arise from translating foreign entities’ statements of earnings and balance sheets from functional currency to the Company’s reporting currency (the U.S. dollar) for consolidation purposes. The Company does not hedge translation risk because it generally generates positive cash flows from its international operations that are typically reinvested locally. Exchange rates with the most significant impact to its translation include the Australian dollar and British pound sterling. As exchange rates fluctuate, translation of its Statements of Operations into U.S. dollars affects the comparability of revenues and operating expenses between years.

The table below details the percentage of revenues and expenses by the three principal currencies for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

 

     U.S.
Dollars
    Australian
Dollars
    British Pound
Sterling
 

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2017

      

Revenues

     47     29     19

Operating and Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     47     26     20

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016

      

Revenues

     47     28     20

Operating and Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     48     24     21

Based on the year ended June 30, 2017, a one cent change in each of the U.S. dollar/Australian dollar and the U.S. dollar/British pound sterling exchange rates would have impacted revenues by approximately $32 million and $12 million, respectively, for each currency on an annual basis, and would have impacted Total Segment EBITDA by approximately $6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, on an annual basis.

Stock Prices

The Company has common stock investments in publicly traded companies that are subject to market price volatility. These investments had an aggregate fair value of approximately $97 million as of June 30, 2017. A hypothetical decrease in the market price of these investments of 10% would result in a decrease in comprehensive income of approximately $10 million before tax. Any changes in fair value of the Company’s common stock investments are not recognized unless deemed other-than-temporary.

 

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Credit Risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk.

The Company’s receivables did not represent significant concentrations of credit risk as of June 30, 2017 or June 30, 2016 due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.

The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions which are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. As of June 30, 2017, the Company did not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counterparties.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

NEWS CORPORATION

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     79  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     80  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

     82  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the fiscal years ended June  30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

     83  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 and 2016

     84  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

     85  

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015

     86  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     87  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of News Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of News Corporation;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of News Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of News Corporation; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was made as of a specific date. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the 2013 “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of News Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of June 30, 2017, News Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm who audited and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of News Corporation:

We have audited News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). News Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, News Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of News Corporation as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2017 of News Corporation and our report dated August 14, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

August 14, 2017

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of News Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of News Corporation as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2017. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of News Corporation at June 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), News Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated August 14, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

August 14, 2017

 

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NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 

            For the fiscal years ended
June 30,
 
     Notes      2017     2016     2015  

Revenues:

         

Advertising

      $ 2,860     $ 3,025     $ 3,349  

Circulation and subscription

        2,470       2,569       2,608  

Consumer

        1,573       1,578       1,594  

Real estate

        696       619       486  

Other

        540       501       487  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

        8,139       8,292       8,524  

Operating expenses

        (4,529     (4,728