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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. In addition, the Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
810-10,
“Consolidation” (“ASC
810-10”)
and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Consolidation is required if both of these criteria are met. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.
Changes in the Company’s ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary where a controlling financial interest is retained are accounted for as capital transactions. When the Company ceases to have a controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary the Company will recognize a gain or loss in the Statements of Operations upon deconsolidation.
 
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current fiscal year presentation. Specifically, in fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified Conference Sponsorship revenues at its Dow Jones reporting unit and Merchandising revenues at the News America Marketing reporting unit from Other revenues to Advertising revenues as the Company believes that the reclassification more accurately reflects the nature of those revenue streams. These revenue reclassifications totaled $57 million and $45 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and other investments that are readily convertible into cash with original maturities of three months or less. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance as of June 30, 2019 and 2018 also includes $97 million and $86 million, respectively, which is not readily accessible by the Company as it is held by REA Group Limited (“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 classifies cash as restricted when the cash is unavailable for use in its general operations. The Company had no restricted cash as of June 30, 2019 and 2018.
Concentration of credit risk
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions. The Company has deposits held with banks that 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.
Receivables, net
Receivables are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is an estimate of amounts that may not be collectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, receivable aging, current economic trends and specific identification of certain receivables that are at risk of not being collected.
Receivables, net consist of:
 
  
As of June 30,
 
  
2019
  
2018
 
  
(in millions)
 
Receivables
 $1,590  $1,829 
Allowances for sales returns
(a)
     (171
Allowances for doubtful accounts
  (46  (46
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Receivables, net
 $1,544  $1,612 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
(a)
As a result of the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard during fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified the allowance for sales returns from Receivables, net to Other current liabilities.
The Company’s receivables did not represent significant concentrations of credit risk as of June 30, 2019 or June 30, 2018 due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company’s products and services are sold.
Inventory, net
Inventory primarily consists of programming rights, books, newsprint and printing ink. In accordance with ASC 920, “Entertainment—Broadcasters”, program rights and the related liabilities are recorded at the gross amount of the liabilities when the license period has begun, the cost of the program is determinable and the program is accepted and available for airing. Programming costs are amortized based on the expected pattern of consumption over the license period or expected useful life of each program. The pattern of consumption is based primarily on consumer viewership information as well as other factors. The Company regularly reviews its programming assets to ensure they continue to reflect net realizable value. Changes in circumstances may result in a write-down of the asset to fair value.
Inventory for books and newsprint are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost for
non-programming
inventory is determined by the weighted average cost method. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon a calculation using the historical usage rates, sales patterns of its products and specifically identified obsolete inventory.
Investments
The Company makes investments in various businesses in the normal course of business. The Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are VIEs in accordance with ASC
810-10
and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it assesses whether it has the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company would consolidate any investments in which it was determined to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE.
Investments in and advances to equity investments or joint ventures in which the Company has significant influence, but is not the primary beneficiary, and has less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns an interest between 20% and 50% or when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company includes its investments and amounts due to and from such investments in its Balance Sheets. The Company’s Statements of Operations include the Company’s share of the investees’ earnings (losses) and the Company’s Statements of Cash Flows include all cash received from or paid to the investee.
The difference between the Company’s investment and its share of the fair value of the underlying net tangible assets of the investee upon acquisition is first allocated to either finite-lived intangibles, indefinite-lived intangibles or other assets and liabilities and the balance is attributed to goodwill. The Company follows ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), which requires that equity method finite-lived intangibles be amortized over their estimated useful life. Such amortization is reflected in Equity (losses) earnings of affiliates in the Statements of Operations. Indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill are not amortized.
 
Investments in which the Company has no significant influence (generally less than a 20% ownership interest) or does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
2016-01,
“Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic
825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU
2016-01”).
Gains and losses on equity securities with readily determinable fair market value are recorded in Other, net in the Statement of Operations. Equity securities without readily determinable fair market values are valued at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes in fair value resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. See Note 6—Investments.
Financial instruments and derivatives
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, approximate fair value. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange, trading in an over-the-counter market which are considered to be Level 2 measurements or unobservable inputs that require the Company to use its own best estimates about market participant assumptions which are considered to be Level 3 measurements. See Note 11—Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements.
ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) requires derivative instruments to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability. ASC 815 also requires that changes in the fair value of recorded derivatives be recognized currently in the Statements of Operations unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.
For derivatives that will be accounted for as hedging instruments, the Company formally designates and documents, at inception, the financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, the risk management objective and the strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. On an ongoing basis, the Company assesses whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions continue to be highly effective. The ineffective portion of a financial instrument’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in the Statements of Operations in Other, net.
The Company determines the fair values of its derivatives using standard valuation models. The notional amounts of the derivative financial instruments do not necessarily represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, therefore, are not a direct measure of the Company’s exposure to the financial risks. The amounts exchanged are calculated by reference to the notional amounts and by other terms of the derivatives, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not view the fair values of its derivatives in isolation, but rather in relation to the fair values or cash flows of the underlying hedged transactions or other exposures. All of the Company’s derivatives are
over-the-counter
instruments with liquid markets. The carrying values of the derivatives reflect the impact of master netting agreements which allow the Company to net settle positive and negative positions with the same counterparty. As the Company does not intend to settle any derivatives at their net positions, derivative instruments are presented gross in the Balance Sheets. See Note 11—Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements.
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, 2019, the Company did not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counterparties.
Cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges are used to mitigate the Company’s exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to particular risk associated with a highly probable forecasted transaction or a recognized asset or liability which could affect income or expenses. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, while the ineffective portion is recognized in the Statements of Operations in Other, net. Amounts recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss are recognized in the Statements of Operations when the hedged forecasted transaction impacts income or if the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur.
Fair value hedges
Fair value hedges are used to mitigate the Company’s exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk and could affect income or expenses. The hedged item is adjusted for gains and losses attributable to the risk being hedged and the derivative is remeasured to fair value. The Company records the changes in the fair value of these items in the Statements of Operations.
Economic hedges
Derivatives not designated as accounting hedge relationships are referred to as economic hedges. Economic hedges are those derivatives which the Company uses to mitigate their exposure to variability in the cash flows of a forecasted transaction or the fair value of a recognized asset or liability, but which do not qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815. The economic hedges are adjusted to fair value each period in Other, net in the Statements of Operations.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 50 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their useful lives or the life of the lease. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Changes in circumstances, such as technological advances or changes to the Company’s business model or capital strategy, could result in the actual useful lives differing from the Company’s estimates. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of buildings and equipment should be changed, the Company would depreciate the asset over its revised remaining useful life, thereby increasing or decreasing depreciation expense.
Operating leases
For operating leases, minimum lease payments, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease terms. The term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated beginning on the date that the Company obtains possession of the leased premises through the expected lease termination date.
Capitalized software
In accordance with ASC
350-40 
“Internal-use
Software,” the Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining
internal-use
software. Costs incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed. All direct costs incurred to develop
internal-use
software during the development stage are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, generally 2 to 13 years. Costs such as maintenance and training are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs are also expensed as incurred.
 
Upon adoption of ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles–Goodwill and
Other–Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic
350-24):
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract” (“ASU 2018-15”), the Company evaluates upfront costs, including implementation,
set-up
or other costs (collectively, “implementation costs”), for hosting arrangements under the
internal-use
software framework. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post implementation activities are expensed as incurred, whereas costs incurred in the development stage are generally capitalized as prepaid assets within Other Current Assets in the Balance Sheet. Capitalized implementation costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the hosting arrangement, which includes consideration of the
non-cancellable
contractual term and reasonably certain renewals. Amortization of capitalized implementation costs is included in the same line item in the Statements of Operations as the expense for fees for the associated hosting arrangement.
Royalty advances to authors
Royalty advances are initially capitalized and subsequently expensed as related revenues are earned or when the Company determines future recovery is not probable. The Company has a long history of providing authors with royalty advances, and it tracks each advance earned with respect to the sale of the related publication. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of the advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that the Company will recover the advance through the sale of the publication. The Company applies this historical experience to its existing outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recovery and a provision is established to
write-off
the unearned advance, usually between 12 and 24 months after initial publication of the first format. Additionally, the Company reviews its portfolio of royalty advances for unpublished titles to determine if individual royalty advances are not recoverable for discrete reasons, such as the death of an author prior to completion of a title or titles, a Company decision to not publish a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors that could impact recoverability. Based on this information, the portion of any advance that the Company believes is not recoverable is expensed.
Goodwill and intangible assets
The Company has goodwill and intangible assets, including trademarks and tradenames, newspaper mastheads, distribution networks, publishing imprints, radio broadcast licenses, publishing rights and customer relationships. Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the cost of acquiring entities or businesses and amounts assigned to their tangible and identifiable intangible net assets. In accordance with ASC 350, the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually during the fourth quarter for impairment or earlier if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair values below their carrying amounts. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at a reporting unit level. Reporting units are determined based on an evaluation of the Company’s operating segments and the components making up those operating segments. For purposes of its goodwill impairment review, the Company has identified Dow Jones, the Australian newspapers, the U.K. newspapers, News America Marketing, Unruly Holdings Limited (“Unruly”), Storyful Limited (“Storyful”), Wireless Group plc (“Wireless Group”), Foxtel, Australian News Channel (“ANC”), HarperCollins, REA Group and Move, Inc. (“Move”), as its reporting units. During 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.
In accordance with ASC 350, 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. If through a quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.
The Company also performs impairment reviews on its indefinite-lived intangible assets, including trademarks and tradenames, newspaper mastheads, distribution networks, publishing imprints and radio broadcast licenses. Newspaper mastheads and book publishing imprints are reviewed on an aggregated basis in accordance with ASC 350. Distribution networks, trademarks and tradenames and radio broadcast licenses are reviewed individually. In assessing its indefinite-lived intangible assets 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 the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing the asset 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 if the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If through a quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying amount, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value.
The methods used to estimate the fair value measurements of the Company’s reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets include those based on the income approach (including the discounted cash flow, relief-from-royalty and excess earnings methods) and those based on the market approach (primarily the guideline public company method). The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 measurements. 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. The cash flows employed in the analyses are based on the Company’s estimated outlook and various growth rates are assumed for years beyond the long-term business plan period. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting units. In assessing the reasonableness of its determined fair values, the Company evaluates its results against other value indicators, such as comparable public company trading values.
When a business within a reporting unit is disposed of, goodwill is allocated to the disposed business using the relative fair value method.
Borrowings
Loans and borrowings are initially recognized at the fair value of the consideration received. Transaction costs are recorded within current borrowings (current portion) and
non-current
borrowings (long-term portion) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. They are subsequently recognized at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Debt may be considered extinguished when it has been modified and the terms of the new debt instruments and old debt instruments are substantially different, as that term is defined in the debt modification guidance in ASC
470-50
“Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments.” The Company classifies the current portion of long term debt as
non-current
liabilities on the Balance Sheets when it has the intent and ability to refinance the obligation on a long-term basis, in accordance with ASC
470-50
“Debt.”
Retirement benefit obligations
The Company provides defined benefit pension, postretirement healthcare and defined contribution benefits to the Company’s eligible employees and retirees. The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension, postretirement healthcare and defined contribution plans in accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (“ASC 715”). The expense recognized by the Company is determined using certain assumptions, including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return of pension assets and mortality rates, among others. The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit plans (other than multiemployer plans) as an asset or liability in the Balance Sheets and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Balance Sheets.
Fair value measurements
The Company has various financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including certain marketable securities and derivatives. The Company also applies the provisions of fair value measurement to various non-recurring measurements for the Company’s non-financial assets and liabilities. With the exception of investments measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient prescribed in ASU 2015-07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)” or ASC 2016-01 described above, the Company measures assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” (“ASC 820”), using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy: (i) inputs that are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (“Level 1”); (ii) inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities (“Level 2”); and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the entity to use its own best estimates about market participant assumptions (“Level 3”). See Note 11—Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements.
The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include investments, long-lived assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of such assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable or at least annually during the fourth quarter for indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill. Any resulting asset impairment would require that the asset be recorded at its fair value. The resulting fair value measurements of the assets are considered to be Level 3 measurements.
Asset impairments
Investments
Equity method investments are regularly reviewed to determine whether a significant event or change in circumstances has occurred that may impact the fair value of each investment. If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in market value has occurred, including the length of time and extent to which the market value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and other factors influencing the fair market value, such as general market conditions.
During fiscal 2019, the Company adopted ASU
2016-01,
“Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic
825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU
2016-01”).
Prior to the adoption of ASU
2016-01,
the Company regularly reviewed its investments in equity securities for impairments based on criteria that included the extent to which an investment’s carrying value exceeded its related market value, the duration of the market decline, the Company’s ability to hold its investment until recovery and the investment’s financial strength and specific prospects. As a result of the adoption of ASU
2016-01,
the Company remeasures the value of these equity securities each quarter and includes the impact from the remeasurement in Other, net in the Statements of Operations.
Long-lived assets
ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment” (“ASC 360”) and ASC 350 require the Company to periodically review the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment adjustment is recognized if the carrying value of such asset exceeds its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets, accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value, less their costs to sell.
Treasury Stock
The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method. Upon the retirement of treasury stock, the Company allocates the value of treasury shares between common stock, additional
paid-in
capital and retained earnings. All shares repurchased to date have been retired.
Revenue recognition
During fiscal 2019, the Company adopted ASU
2014-09,
“Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU
2014-09”)
on a modified retrospective basis, which amended the FASB ASC by creating Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when or as the Company satisfies its respective performance obligations under each contract.
Circulation and subscription revenues
Circulation and subscription revenues include single-copy newspaper, newspaper subscription, information services subscription and pay television broadcast subscription revenues. Circulation revenues are based on the number of copies of the printed newspaper (through home-delivery subscriptions and single-copy sales) and/or digital subscriptions sold, and the associated rates charged to the customers. Single-copy revenue is recognized at a point in time on the date the newspapers are sold to distribution outlets, net of provisions for related returns.
Revenues from home delivery and digital subscriptions are recognized over the subscription term as the newspapers and/or digital subscriptions are delivered. Information services subscription revenues are recognized over time as the subscriptions are delivered. Payments from subscribers are generally due at the beginning of the month and are recorded as deferred revenue. Such amounts are recognized as revenue as the associated subscription is delivered.
Revenue generated from subscriptions to receive pay television broadcast, OTT services, broadband and home phone services for residential and commercial subscribers is recognized over time on a monthly basis as the services are provided. Payment is generally received monthly in advance of providing services, and is deferred upon receipt. Such amounts are recognized as revenue as the related services are provided.
Advertising revenues
Revenue from print advertising is recognized at the point in time the print advertisement is published. Broadcast advertising revenue is recognized over the time that the broadcast advertisement is aired. For impressions-based digital advertising, revenues are recognized as impressions are delivered over the term of the arrangement, while revenue from
non-impressions-based
digital advertising is recognized over the period that the advertisements are displayed. Such amounts are recognized net of agency commissions and provisions for estimated sales incentives, including rebates, rate adjustments or discounts.
Advertising revenues earned from integrated marketing services are recognized at the point in time when free-standing inserts are published. Revenues earned from
in-store
marketing services are partially recognized upon installation, with the remaining revenue recognized over the
in-store
campaign.
The Company enters into transactions that involve the exchange of advertising, in part, for other products and services, which are recorded at the estimated fair value of the product or service received. If the fair value of the product or service received cannot be reliably determined, the value is measured indirectly by reference to the standalone selling price of the advertising provided by the Company. Revenue from nonmonetary transactions is recognized when services are performed, and expenses are recognized when products are received or services are incurred.
Billings to clients and payments received in advance of performance of services or delivery of products are recorded as deferred revenue until the services are performed or the product is delivered. Payment for advertising services is typically due shortly after the Company has satisfied its performance obligation to print, broadcast or place the advertising specified in the contract. For advertising campaigns that extend beyond one month, the Company generally invoices the advertiser in arrears based on the number of advertisements that were printed, broadcast or placed, or impressions delivered during the month.
Consumer revenues
Revenue from the sale of physical books and electronic books
(“e-books”)
is recognized at the point in time of physical receipt by the customer or electronic delivery. Such amounts are recorded net of provisions for returns and payments to customers. If the Company prohibits its customer from selling a physical book until a future date, it recognizes revenue when that restriction lapses.
Revenue is recognized net of any amounts billed to customers for taxes remitted to government authorities. Payments for the sale of physical books and
e-books
are generally collected within one to three months of sale or delivery and are based on the number of physical books or
e-books
sold.
Real Estate revenues
Real estate revenues are derived from the sale of online real estate listing products and advanced client management and reporting products, as well as services to agents, brokers and developers. Revenue is typically recognized over the contractual period during which the services are provided. Payments are generally due monthly over the subscription term.
With the acquisition of Opcity Inc. (“Opcity”), the Company began providing certain leads to agents and brokers at no upfront cost with the Company receiving a portion of the agent sales commission at the time a home transaction is closed. As the amount of revenues is based on several factors outside of the Company’s control including home prices, revenue is recognized when a real estate transaction is closed and any variability no longer exists.
Other revenues
Other revenues are recognized when the related services are performed or the product has been delivered.
Contracts with multiple performance obligations
The Company has certain revenue contracts which contain multiple performance obligations such as print and digital advertising bundles and bundled video service subscriptions. Revenues derived from sales contracts that contain multiple products and services are allocated based on the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation to be delivered. Standalone selling price is typically determined based on prices charged to customers for the same or similar goods or services on a standalone basis. If observable standalone prices are not available, the Company estimates standalone selling price by maximizing the use of observable inputs to most accurately reflect the price of each individual performance obligation. Revenue is recognized as each performance obligation included in the contract is satisfied.
Identification of a customer and gross versus net revenue recognition
In the normal course of business, the Company acts as or uses an intermediary or agent in executing transactions with third parties. When the intermediary or agent is determined to be the Company’s customer, the Company records revenue based on the amount it expects to receive from the agent or intermediary.
In other circumstances, the determination of whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on an assessment of whether the Company is acting as the principal or an agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as a principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. The determination of whether the Company is acting as a principal or an agent in a transaction involves judgment and is based on an evaluation of the terms of the arrangement. The Company serves as the principal in transactions in which it controls the goods or services prior to being transferred to the ultimate customer.
Sales returns
Certain of the Company’s products, such as books and newspapers, are sold with the right of return. The Company records the estimated impact of such returns as a reduction of revenue. To estimate product sales that will be returned and the related products that are expected to be placed back into inventory, the Company analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, changes in customer demand and acceptance of the Company’s products. Based on this information, the Company reserves a percentage of each dollar of product sales that provide the customer with the right of return. As a result of the adoption of ASC 606, the Company reclassified its sales returns reserve from Receivables, net to Other current liabilities.
 
Subscriber acquisition costs
Costs related to the acquisition of subscription video service customers primarily consist of amounts paid for third-party customer acquisitions, which consist of the cost of commissions paid to authorized retailers and dealers for subscribers added through their respective distribution channels and the cost of hardware and installation subsidies for subscribers. All costs, including hardware, installation and commissions, are expensed upon activation, except where legal ownership of the equipment is retained, in which case the cost of the equipment and direct and indirect installation costs are capitalized and depreciated over the respective useful life.
Advertising expenses
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred in accordance with ASC
720-35,
“Other Expenses—Advertising Cost.” Advertising and promotional expenses recognized totaled $669 million, $663 million and $587 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Shipping and handling
Costs incurred for shipping and handling are reflected in Operating expenses in the Statements of Operations.
Translation of foreign currencies
The financial results and position of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. dollars using the current rate method, whereby operating results are converted at the average rate of exchange for the period and assets and liabilities are converted at the closing rates on the period end date. The resulting translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are generally included in income for the period.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are established where management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes interest and penalty charges related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.
The Company has not provided for taxes on undistributed earnings attributable to certain foreign subsidiaries. It is the Company’s intention to reinvest in these subsidiaries indefinitely as the Company does not anticipate the need to repatriate funds to satisfy domestic liquidity needs. An actual repatriation from these subsidiaries could be subject to foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state taxes. Calculation of the unrecognized tax liabilities is not practicable.
Following the enactment of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) (See Note 19—Income Taxes), the Company has elected to account for the tax on GILTI as a period cost and thus has not adjusted any net deferred tax assets of its foreign subsidiaries for the new tax. However, the Company has considered the potential impact of GILTI and BEAT on its U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward and determined that the projected tax benefit to be received from its NOL carryforward may be reduced due to these provisions. As such, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance on its U.S. federal NOL carryforward for the reduction in the projected tax benefit upon utilization.
 
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is calculated by dividing Net income (loss) available to News Corporation stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is calculated similarly, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of shares issuable under the Company’s equity-based compensation plans. See Note 14—Earnings (Loss) Per Share.
Equity-based compensation
Equity-based awards are accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. ASC 718 establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU
2014-09,
which amended ASC 606. ASU
2014-09
removes inconsistencies and differences in revenue recognition requirements between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards and requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB also issued several standards which provided additional clarification and implementation guidance on ASU
2014-09.
The Company adopted ASU
2014-09
and subsequent related standards on a modified retrospective basis as of July 1, 2018. As a result, the Company recorded a $20 million decrease to Accumulated deficit as of July 1, 2018 to reflect the cumulative impact of its adoption of ASC 606. See Note 3—Revenues.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU
2016-01,
“Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic
825-10):
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU
2016-01”).
The amendments in ASU
2016-01
address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU
2016-01
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018. The Company adopted the guidance on a cumulative-effect basis for its investments with readily determinable fair values effective July 1, 2018. In accordance with ASU
2016-01,
the cumulative net unrealized gains (losses) for these investments contained within Accumulated other comprehensive loss were reclassified through Accumulated deficit as of July 1, 2018, and the Company recorded a $22 million decrease to Accumulated deficit. The Company has elected to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. There was no financial statement impact upon adoption for these investments. See Note 6—Investments and Note 21—Additional Financial Information.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU
2017-07,
“Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU
2017-07”).
The amendments in ASU
2017-07
require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost (income) as defined in paragraphs
715-30-35-4
and
715-60-35-9
are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. ASU
2017-07
allows for a practical expedient that permits a company to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plans note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. ASU
2017-07
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2018. The Company adopted ASU
2017-07
utilizing the practical expedient. The other components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are included in Other, net in the Statements of Operations. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU
2018-07,
“Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU
2018-07”).
The amendments in ASU
2018-07
expanded the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. As permitted by ASU
2018-07,
the Company early-adopted this standard and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
2018-14,
“Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic
715-20):
Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans” (“ASU
2018-14”).
The amendments in ASU
2018-14
modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. ASU
2018-14
eliminates the disclosures for amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost (income) and the effect of a percentage change in health care cost trend rate. As permitted by ASU
2018-14,
the Company early adopted this standard. See Note 17—Retirement Benefit Obligations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
2018-15,
“Intangibles—Goodwill and
Other—Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic
350-40):
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)” (“ASU
2018-15”).
The amendments in ASU
2018-15
align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain
internal-use
software (and hosting arrangements that include an
internal-use
software license). As permitted by ASU
2018-15,
the Company early-adopted this standard on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Issued
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU
2016-02,
“Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU
2016-02”).
The amendments in ASU
2016-02
require lessees to recognize all leases on the balance sheet by recording a
right-of-use
asset and a lease liability, and lessor accounting has been updated to align with the new requirements for lessees. The new standard also provides changes to the existing sale-leaseback guidance. ASU
2016-02
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2019. The FASB has also issued additional standards which provide additional clarification and implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU
2016-02
and have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company plans to apply this guidance on a modified retrospective basis at the beginning of the period of adoption through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings, with no restatement of prior periods. The Company is in the process of finalizing its inventory of lease contracts and implementing processes and controls to enable the preparation of the required financial information for this standard. The Company is also finalizing the testing of its lease management system and the implementation process. The Company plans to elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. The Company plans to elect the practical expedient to combine lease and
non-lease
components for all asset classes. The Company also plans to elect the short-term lease exception to keep leases with an initial term of twelve months or less off of the balance sheet. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact ASU
2016-02
will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU
2016-13,
“Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU
2016-13”).
The amendments in ASU
2016-13
require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. ASU
2016-13
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU
2016-13
will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU
2017-12,
“Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU
2017-12”).
The amendments in ASU
2017-12
more closely align the results of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting with risk management activities through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. The amendments address specific limitations in current GAAP by expanding hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and by refining the measurement of hedge results to better reflect an entity’s hedging strategies. ASU
2017-12
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU
2017-12
will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU
2018-02,
“Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”
(“ASU 2018-02”).
The amendments in ASU
2018-02
provide a reclassification from Accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act (as defined below). See Note 19—Income Taxes. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. ASU
2018-02
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU
2018-02
will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
2018-13,
“Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU
2018-13”).
ASU
2018-13
removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements in Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” ASU
2018-13
eliminates certain disclosures related to transfers and the valuation process, modifies disclosures for investments that are valued based on net asset value, clarifies the measurement uncertainty disclosure, and requires additional disclosures for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU
2018-13
is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU
2018-13
will have on the disclosures included in its consolidated financial statements.