Google-owned YouTube on Monday said it may remove channels including Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News and Fox Sports from its TV streaming platform if it doesn't reach an agreement with Fox Corporation.YouTube TV's renewal date with Fox is coming on Wednesday, and while the two companies have been in ongoing negotiations, they've been unable to reach a deal, the YouTube team wrote in a blog post. The company also emailed YouTube TV subscribers about the potential fall out with Fox."Fox is asking for payments ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fox Corporation reported a revenue growth of 17% to $16 billion, with adjusted EBITDA growth of 26% to $3.6 billion and adjusted EPS growth of 39% to $4.78 per share, all records for the company [7][16][17] - Free cash flow increased by 100% to $3 billion, marking another record for Fox [7][16] - Net income attributable to stockholders was $2.3 billion or $4.91 per share, up from $1.5 billion or $3.13 per share in the previous fiscal year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total advertising revenue increased by 26% to $7 billion, driven by strong performance in both television and cable network programming segments [16][18] - Cable Network programming segment saw a revenue growth of 7% and EBITDA growth of 6%, with cable advertising revenues up 15% [19][20] - Television segment delivered 6% revenue growth, with advertising revenues growing 3% [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fox News maintained over 60% share of the cable news audience, with total day audience up 25% and demo audience up 31% [9][43] - Tubi achieved 17% growth in total view time and 32% revenue growth in the fourth quarter, reaching over 100 million monthly active users [12][13][55] - The overall advertising market for Fox remains healthy, with record-setting double-digit volume growth and strong pricing growth across the portfolio [8][74] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Fox One, a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, is set to launch at $19.99 per month, targeting both cordless consumers and current pay TV subscribers [11][12] - The company aims to engage viewers across various platforms, including traditional cable and digital offerings like Tubi and Fox One [14] - Fox is focused on organic growth while exploring opportunities for potential M&A, maintaining a high internal benchmark for capital use [72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the trajectory of the business, citing strong operational and financial momentum entering fiscal 2026 [15] - The advertising environment is expected to remain robust, with significant demand for live sports and news programming [74] - Management acknowledged potential headwinds from political advertising and the Super Bowl in fiscal 2026 but remains optimistic about the FIFA Men's World Cup [36][75] Other Important Information - The company announced a $5 billion increase to its share repurchase authorization, reflecting confidence in its balance sheet [15][25] - Tubi's growth is seen as a key driver for future profitability, with expectations for substantial improvement in fiscal 2026 [23][65] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on fiscal 2026 expectations and EBITDA trends - Management highlighted strong underlying momentum in audience and advertising demand, with political headwinds expected to impact results [33][34] Question: Update on cable advertising trends and LatAm strategy - Cable advertising remains strong, particularly at Fox News, with a focus on expanding in Latin America through strategic acquisitions [40][42] Question: Performance of Tubi and potential impact of ESPN and NFL relationship - Tubi is outperforming the broader CTV market, with a strong library and engagement metrics, while the relationship with the NFL remains positive [50][57] Question: Investment levels for fiscal 2026 and expected returns - Management indicated a collective investment portfolio moving back towards $350 million, with expectations for similar return profiles as seen with Tubi [60][66] Question: M&A participation and advertising market outlook - Fox is actively looking at opportunities but has not found any that meet its high internal benchmarks; the advertising market remains robust across various segments [71][74] Question: Bundling strategies and FCC impact on affiliate relationships - Fox One will be bundled with other services, focusing on convenience for consumers while maintaining a targeted approach; FCC changes are not expected to negatively impact affiliate relationships [82][85]

Financial Performance - Fox Corporation reported a revenue growth of 17% to $16 billion, with adjusted EBITDA growth of 26% to $3.6 billion and adjusted EPS growth of 39% to $4.78 per share, all records for the company [6][16][18] - Free cash flow increased by 100% to $3 billion, marking another record [6][16] - Net income attributable to stockholders was $2.3 billion or $4.91 per share, up from $1.5 billion or $3.13 per share in the previous fiscal year [18] Business Segment Performance - The Cable Network programming segment achieved 7% revenue growth and 6% EBITDA growth, with cable advertising revenues up 15% [20] - The Television segment delivered 6% revenue growth, with advertising revenues growing 3% [21] - Tubi saw a 32% revenue growth in the fourth quarter, driven by a 17% increase in total view time [12][19] Market Trends - Fox News maintained over 60% share of the cable news audience, with total day audience up 25% and demo audience up 31% [8][42] - The overall advertising market for Fox remains healthy, with record-setting double-digit volume growth and strong pricing growth across the portfolio [7][74] - Tubi reached over 100 million monthly active users and generated over $1.1 billion in revenue, achieving a 2.2% share of total U.S. television viewings [12][13] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - Fox One, a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, is set to launch at $19.99 per month, targeting both cordless consumers and current pay TV subscribers [11][12] - The company plans to invest in digital-led growth initiatives, including Tubi and Latin America, while maintaining a focus on organic growth [23][66] - Fox's strategy emphasizes engaging viewers across various platforms, including traditional cable and digital offerings [14] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the trajectory of the business, citing strong operational and financial momentum entering fiscal 2026 [15] - The company anticipates challenges in fiscal 2026 due to the absence of political advertising and the Super Bowl, but expects strong performance from the FIFA Men's World Cup [36][75] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with affiliates and local stations, especially with the launch of Fox One [85] Other Important Information - The company announced a $5 billion increase to its share repurchase authorization, reflecting a strong balance sheet [15][26] - Fox's advertising revenue growth was driven by a robust demand for sports programming and political advertising [17][74] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on fiscal 2026 expectations - Management acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly with political advertising and the Super Bowl, but emphasized strong underlying business momentum [31][34] Question: Update on cable advertising trends - Management reported strong advertising demand, particularly for Fox News, with significant increases in ratings translating to revenue growth [41][42] Question: Tubi's competitive position - Tubi is outperforming the broader CTV market due to its extensive content library and strong engagement with a younger, cordless audience [50][52] Question: M&A participation - Management stated that while they are always looking for opportunities, they have not found any that meet their high internal benchmarks for capital use [71][72]

Summary of Fox Corporation 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Fox Corporation (FOX) - **Date of Conference**: May 14, 2025 Key Industry Insights - **Advertising Performance**: Strong performance in advertising driven by major events like the Super Bowl and elections, with national advertising particularly robust. [4][36] - **Affiliate Revenue**: 25% of the affiliate revenue was booked during fiscal year 2025, indicating strong demand. [4][5] - **Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Strategy**: Launch of Fox One, a D2C platform, aimed at addressing the cordless market while respecting existing pay TV relationships. [10][13][19] Core Company Strategies - **Focus on Live Events**: The company continues to prioritize live news and sports, which are key revenue drivers. [9][28] - **Capital Allocation**: Emphasis on disciplined capital allocation, including organic investments, M&A, and returning capital to shareholders. [6][75] - **Tubi's Growth**: Tubi has shown significant growth, with revenues up 35% and 97 million monthly active users, primarily targeting the cordless market. [45][46] Financial Performance - **Advertising Trends**: National advertising pricing is up high single digits compared to the previous year, with local advertising showing mixed results. [36][38] - **Fox News Viewership**: Record viewership for Fox News, with significant advertising gains attributed to high engagement. [54][56] - **Free Cash Flow**: Strong free cash flow generation, with $600 million of debt repaid recently, positioning the company for future growth. [73][75] Future Outlook - **Skinny Bundles**: The company is optimistic about the potential of skinny bundles to attract new subscribers and mitigate declines in traditional pay TV. [30][32] - **Sports Rights**: Fox holds significant sports broadcasting rights for several years, providing a competitive edge against new digital entrants like Netflix and Amazon. [61][63] - **Tubi's Role**: Tubi is expected to serve as a marketing platform for Fox One, leveraging its user base to drive subscriptions. [46][50] Additional Considerations - **Valuation Concerns**: There is frustration regarding the market's valuation of Tubi and other hidden assets within the company. [84] - **Wagering Assets**: The company holds valuable wagering assets, including an 18.6% stake in DraftKings, which are not fully reflected in the stock's value. [70][71] - **Content Strategy**: A balanced approach to content spending, focusing on both scripted and non-scripted programming, is maintained. [81][82] Conclusion Fox Corporation is positioned for continued growth through its focus on live events, strategic capital allocation, and leveraging its digital platforms like Tubi and Fox One. The company remains optimistic about its advertising revenue and the potential of new market strategies to enhance its competitive position.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company advertising revenue grew 65% in the quarter, driven by a record-breaking Super Bowl generating over $800 million in gross advertising revenue [7][16] - Total revenues increased by 27%, with record free cash flow achieved [16] - Adjusted EBITDA was $856 million, down from $891 million in the prior year quarter due to higher expenses [17] - Net income attributable to Fox stockholders was $346 million, or $0.75 per share, compared to $666 million, or $1.40 per share in the prior year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cable Network Programming segment saw 11% revenue growth and 7% EBITDA growth, with cable advertising revenues up 26% [18] - Television segment delivered 40% revenue growth, with advertising revenues increasing 77% due to the Super Bowl [19] - Tubi experienced a 35% year-on-year revenue growth, with total viewing time up 24% year-over-year in April [12][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fox News finished the quarter as the most-watched cable network, with total day audience growing 48% and prime time ratings up over 30% [9][10] - Fox Sports ranked as the industry leader in live sports event viewership, accumulating 3.3 billion hours of sports event viewing, 17% better than the closest competitor [11] - Digital consumption trends for Fox News showed an 18% year-on-year growth in page views, reaching a record 11 billion views [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on launching a direct-to-consumer service named Fox One, targeting the cordless market and aiming to avoid cannibalizing traditional cable subscribers [15][66] - Fox aims to leverage its strong assets in live sports and news programming to attract advertisers, with a disciplined approach to capital allocation [8][15] - The company is committed to maintaining strong relationships with traditional cable distributors while expanding its digital offerings [50][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted no impact from the macro environment on business performance, with strong ratings and engagement [8] - The company is optimistic about the upcoming fiscal year, despite the absence of political advertising in fiscal 2026 [29] - Management expressed confidence in Tubi's growth trajectory and its potential to become a mainstream service [41][75] Other Important Information - The company repurchased an additional $800 million in shares, bringing the total repurchased to $6.4 billion since the buyback program began [21] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $4.8 billion in cash and $7.2 billion in debt, maintaining a strong balance sheet [21][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about FOX One and its pricing strategy - Management indicated that FOX One will target the cordless market and will not be priced at a discount, aiming for healthy pricing aligned with wholesale rates [26] Question: Update on brand advertising demand on Fox News - Over 200 new advertisers have been attracted since the election, with direct response advertising up over 30% and scatter pricing up over 50% [34][36] Question: Path to profitability for Tubi and capital allocation strategy - Tubi's revenue improved by 35% with a focus on engagement, and the company plans to continue investing in Tubi while maintaining a strong balance sheet [41][43] Question: Strategy around direct-to-consumer offerings and affiliate revenue growth - The company remains supportive of traditional cable distribution while launching a D2C service targeting cord-nevers, with a focus on maintaining affiliate relationships [50][52] Question: Digital investments and future plans for the Fox Lot - Digital investments are expected to decrease slightly, and the company plans to fill the office space vacated by Disney with high-demand sound stages [71][75]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company advertising revenue grew 65% in the quarter, driven by a record-breaking Super Bowl generating over $800 million in gross advertising revenue [7] - Total revenues increased by 27%, with record free cash flow achieved [16] - Adjusted EBITDA was $856 million, down from $891 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher expenses [17] - Net income attributable to Fox stockholders was $346 million, or $0.75 per share, compared to $666 million, or $1.40 per share, in the prior year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cable Network Programming segment saw 11% revenue growth and 7% EBITDA growth, with cable advertising revenues up 26% [18] - Television segment delivered 40% revenue growth, with advertising revenues increasing 77% due to the Super Bowl [19] - Tubi experienced a 35% year-on-year revenue growth, with total viewing time up 24% year-over-year in April [12][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fox News finished the quarter as the most-watched cable network, with total day audience growing 48% and prime time ratings up over 30% [9][10] - Fox Sports ranked as the industry leader in live sports event viewership, accumulating 3.3 billion hours of sports event viewing, 17% better than the closest competitor [11] - Digital consumption trends showed Fox News digital grew page views 18% year-on-year to a record 11 billion views [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on launching a direct-to-consumer service named Fox One, targeting the cordless market and planning partnerships with other distributors [15][66] - The strategy emphasizes maintaining strong relationships with traditional cable distributors while expanding digital offerings [50] - The company aims to leverage its strong operating momentum and financial results to deliver long-term value for shareholders [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted no impact from the macro environment on business performance, with strong ratings and engagement [8] - Confidence in the advertising business remains high, particularly with Fox News and Tubi showing solid demand [29] - The company anticipates continued growth in affiliate revenue and advertising, despite the absence of political advertising in the upcoming fiscal year [29] Other Important Information - The company repurchased an additional $800 million in shares, bringing the total repurchased to $6.4 billion since the buyback program began [21] - The balance sheet remains strong, with approximately $4.8 billion in cash and $7.2 billion in debt [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about FOX One and its pricing strategy - Management indicated that FOX One will target the cordless market and pricing will be healthy, not discounted, with plans for partnerships to broaden distribution [26] Question: Thoughts on fiscal 2026 outlook - Management highlighted the absence of political advertising as a factor for fiscal 2026, but noted strong tailwinds from advertising and affiliate revenue growth [29] Question: Update on brand advertising demand on Fox News - Over 200 new advertisers have been added since the election, with direct response advertising up over 30% and scatter pricing up over 50% [34][36] Question: Path to profitability for Tubi and capital allocation - Tubi's revenue improved by 35% with significant engagement, and the company plans to continue investing in Tubi while maintaining a strong balance sheet [41][44] Question: Strategy around direct-to-consumer and affiliate revenue growth - Management remains supportive of traditional cable distribution while launching a D2C service targeting cord-nevers, with a focus on maintaining affiliate relationships [50][52] Question: Digital investments and future plans for the Fox Lot - Digital investments are expected to decrease slightly, and the company plans to fill the office space vacated by Disney with high-demand sound stages [71][77]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company advertising revenue grew 65% in the quarter, driven by a record-breaking Super Bowl generating over $800 million in gross advertising revenue [6][17] - Total revenue increased by 27%, with record free cash flow achieved [17] - Adjusted EBITDA was $856 million, down from $891 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher expenses [18] - Net income attributable to Fox stockholders was $346 million, or $0.75 per share, compared to $666 million, or $1.40 per share in the prior year [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cable Network Programming segment revenue grew 11%, with advertising revenues up 26% due to strong Fox News ratings [19] - Television segment revenue increased by 40%, with advertising revenues up 77%, largely due to the Super Bowl [20] - Tubi's revenue grew 35% year on year, with total viewing time up 24% year over year in April [12][41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fox News finished the quarter as the most-watched cable network, with total day audience growth of 48% and demo growth of 58% [9] - Fox Sports ranked as the industry leader in live sports event viewership, accumulating 3.3 billion hours of viewing, 17% better than the closest competitor [11] - Digital consumption trends showed Fox News digital grew page views by 18% year on year, reaching a record 11 billion views [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on launching a direct-to-consumer service named Fox One, targeting the cordless market [15][66] - Fox aims to leverage its strong assets in live sports and news programming to attract advertisers [7][8] - The company plans to continue investing in Tubi and its digital properties while maintaining a strong balance sheet [41][76] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted no impact from the macro environment on business performance, with strong ratings and engagement [7] - The company is optimistic about the upcoming fiscal year, despite the absence of political advertising in fiscal 2026 [30] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining traditional cable distribution while launching new digital services [52] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $800 million in shares, bringing the total repurchased to $6.4 billion since the buyback program began [22] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $4.8 billion in cash and $7.2 billion in debt [22] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: Inquiry about FOX One pricing and addressable market - Management indicated that pricing for FOX One will be in line with wholesale pricing, targeting the cordless market and avoiding traditional cable subscribers [27][28] Question: Update on demand from brand advertisers on Fox News - Over 200 new advertisers have been added since the election, with direct response advertising up over 30% and scatter pricing up over 50% [34][36] Question: Path to profitability for Tubi and balance sheet considerations - Tubi's revenue improved by 35% with total viewing time up 18%, and the company plans to continue investing in Tubi while maintaining a strong balance sheet [41][44] Question: Strategy around direct-to-consumer and affiliate revenue growth - The company remains supportive of traditional cable distribution while launching a D2C service targeting cord-nevers, with a focus on maintaining healthy affiliate relationships [52][55] Question: Update on digital investments and Disney's plans for the Fox Lot - Digital investments are expected to decrease slightly, and Disney will vacate office space on the Fox Lot, which is expected to be filled easily due to high demand [76][78]

Core Insights - The Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry is experiencing challenges due to cord-cutting, but companies like Netflix, Gray Media, Fox Corporation, and TEGNA are benefiting from increased digital content consumption and diverse offerings [1][2]. Industry Overview - The industry includes companies providing entertainment, sports, news, and musical content across various platforms, generating revenue through program sales, advertising, and subscriptions [2]. - There is a shift towards a variable cost model to enhance flexibility and reduce fixed costs amid evolving market dynamics [2]. Trends - Companies are diversifying content for OTT services to adapt to changing consumer preferences, which is expected to boost ad revenues [3]. - The rise in digital viewing is driving demand for tailored content, leveraging AI and machine learning for user engagement [4]. - The macroeconomic landscape, including high inflation and competition from tech companies, is impacting advertising budgets and revenue growth [5]. - The introduction of low-priced "skinny bundles" is changing revenue dynamics, potentially dampening top-line performance [6]. Performance Metrics - The industry ranks 41 in the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating it is in the top 17% of over 250 industries, with a positive earnings outlook [7][9]. - The industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500, gaining 54.4% over the past year compared to 2% and 1.5% respectively [11]. - The current EV/EBITDA ratio for the industry is 15.35X, slightly above the S&P 500's 15.19X [14]. Company Highlights - **Fox Corporation**: Demonstrated strong financial momentum with a 20% revenue growth and record EBITDA of $781 million, while also expanding its audience share and attracting new advertisers [17][18]. - **TEGNA**: Focused on modernization and technology deployment, targeting $90-$100 million in annualized savings, with a strong balance sheet and digital transformation initiatives [22][24]. - **Netflix**: Achieved first-quarter revenues of $10.54 billion, up 12.5% year over year, with a growing subscriber base and ambitious revenue targets [27][28]. - **Gray Media**: Positioned to capitalize on market-leading stations and diversified revenue streams, with successful partnerships in local sports and a focus on reducing debt [31][35].