Fox Corporation (FOX) is a major U.S. mass media company specializing in broadcast television, news, and sports. Headquartered in New York City, it was formed in 2019 as a spin-off from 21st Century Fox, retaining assets such as Fox News, Fox Sports, Fox Television Stations, and the broadcast network FOX. Fox Corporation’s market capitalization stands at $25 billion, reflecting its position as a major player in the media landscape. Companies with a market cap of $10 billion or more are typically bucketed ...

Core Insights - Lachlan Murdoch's recent financial maneuvers indicate a significant consolidation of power within Fox Corp. and News Corp., controlling approximately one-third of the voting shares in both companies [1][2] - The establishment of a new holding company, LGC HoldCo, involved a $1 billion loan from JPMorgan Chase to facilitate the buyout of his siblings' stakes, with a total transaction value of $3.3 billion [2][3] - The resolution of the family trust dispute allows Lachlan to solidify his leadership role, following a court ruling that favored his siblings in a challenge against their father's attempts to concentrate power [4][5] Company Performance - Fox Corp. reported a 7% increase in advertising revenue to $1.1 billion in the latest quarter, contributing to an overall revenue of $3.3 billion and a net income of $720 million, which doubled year-over-year [15] - The growth in Fox's revenue is attributed to its streaming service Tubi and Fox News, with projections indicating significant future revenue from non-cable TV sources [16] - News Corp. exceeded analyst expectations with $2.1 billion in revenue, driven by a 6.7% increase in quarterly revenue at Dow Jones and a 9% rise in digital-only subscriptions [18] Strategic Moves - Lachlan's leadership has seen successful acquisitions, such as the majority stake in fintech Credible and the ad-supported streaming service Tubi, which has grown to over 100 million monthly users [12][13] - The digital real estate unit, including REA Group, reported a 4% year-over-year revenue increase, indicating a stable performance in a mature media environment [19] - Discussions around a potential merger between News Corp. and Fox Corp. were deemed "not optimal" for shareholders, reflecting ongoing concerns about asset valuation and market performance [20][21]

Core Viewpoint - The settlement over the Murdoch Family Trust is seen as positive news for investors, providing clarity and continuity to the company's strategy [1][2] Group 1: Strategic Clarity - The agreement offers clarity about the company's future strategy, indicating that it will be consistent and sustainable [2] - The deal follows a Nevada court's rejection of an attempt to amend the family trust, solidifying leadership and maintaining the group's conservative orientation [2] Group 2: Financial Implications - Rupert Murdoch's children, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence, will sell their holdings in Fox and News Corp over six months, each receiving $1.1 billion [3] - The sale of shares at a roughly 4.5% discount raised $1.37 billion [3] Group 3: Ownership Structure - A new trust benefiting Lachlan Murdoch and his siblings will hold 36% of Fox's Class B shares and 33% of News Corp's Class B shares [4] - Lachlan Murdoch stated that the company's strategy, established in 2019 after selling the majority of its entertainment assets to Disney, has proven successful [4]

Core Points - A legal battle involving Rupert Murdoch has concluded with a multibillion-dollar settlement, transferring control of Fox News and The Wall Street Journal to his son Lachlan Murdoch [1][2] - The settlement restructures the Murdoch Family Trust, changing the voting control from equal shares among Rupert's children to Lachlan having majority control [3][4] - Lachlan Murdoch will remain as chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation, while Rupert will take on a ceremonial role as chairman emeritus [4] - Other siblings, Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch, will exit the trust and receive substantial cash payouts, totaling approximately $1.1 billion each [5][6] - The total value of the settlement is reported to be $3.3 billion, with proceeds coming from the sale of Fox Corporation and News Corp shares [6] - The remaining assets of the old trust will be allocated to new trusts benefiting Lachlan Murdoch and Rupert's youngest daughters, Grace and Chloe [7]

Core Points - The Murdoch succession drama has concluded with a $3.3 billion settlement, granting Lachlan Murdoch control over the family's media assets, including Fox News, the New York Post, and the Wall Street Journal [1][2] - The settlement resolves ongoing legal disputes that had cast uncertainty over the future direction of Fox Corp. and News Corp. [2] - Rupert Murdoch's desire to maintain the conservative orientation of his media empire influenced the decision to solidify Lachlan's leadership [4][5] Group 1: Succession and Control - The succession battle became public when three of Rupert Murdoch's children attempted to block changes to his trust that would favor Lachlan [3] - Rupert Murdoch aimed to ensure that Lachlan, who aligns ideologically with him, would lead the company to preserve its conservative values [4][5] - As part of the settlement, Prudence, Elisabeth, and James agreed to relinquish their shares in the family trust and any future roles [6] Group 2: Family Dynamics - The legal disputes highlighted divisions within the Murdoch family, particularly between James, Elisabeth, Prudence, and their father [7] - Rupert Murdoch's concerns about the more liberal views of his son James motivated him to limit the influence of his other children [6] - The resolution of the disputes involved dropping ongoing litigation, indicating a move towards family unity [8]

Core Viewpoint - Newsmax has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Fox Corp., alleging that it holds an illegal monopoly in the right-leaning pay TV news market, engaging in exclusionary practices to maintain its dominance [1][9]. Group 1: Allegations Against Fox Corp. - Newsmax claims that Fox's anticompetitive behavior has hindered its growth and distribution potential, asserting that it could have become a more valuable media company without such interference [2]. - The lawsuit alleges that Fox pressures distributors into unfair agreements that prevent them from carrying competitors like Newsmax, imposing financial penalties for doing so [3][10]. - Newsmax cites internal communications from Fox leaders, revealed during a separate defamation lawsuit, indicating that Fox views Newsmax as a significant competitive threat [4][5]. Group 2: Impact on Competition - The lawsuit argues that Fox's actions have harmed competition, restricted consumer choice, and led to higher prices for consumers in the right-leaning news market [9]. - Newsmax contends that most distributors comply with Fox's restrictions due to a lack of alternatives, effectively coercing them into excluding Newsmax from their offerings [10]. - The complaint states that Fox sometimes refuses to license its popular channels unless distributors agree to disadvantage rival networks like Newsmax [11]. Group 3: Legal Proceedings - Newsmax is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages, aiming for a court declaration that Fox has violated federal and state antitrust laws [11].

Core Viewpoint - YouTube is at risk of removing Fox channels from its TV streaming platform if an agreement is not reached with Fox Corporation by the renewal deadline, highlighting ongoing negotiations and potential implications for viewers and advertisers [1][2]. Group 1: Negotiation Status - YouTube and Fox Corporation are in negotiations regarding the renewal of YouTube TV's contract, which is set to expire soon [1]. - Fox is demanding payments significantly higher than those received by other partners with similar content offerings, which YouTube argues is not reflective of market value [2][3]. - If no agreement is reached by 5 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, Fox channels will be removed from YouTube TV, affecting millions of viewers [2]. Group 2: Implications of Potential Blackout - A blackout of Fox channels could impact advertisers and the millions of viewers who have transitioned from traditional cable to streaming services [2][3]. - YouTube TV subscribers will receive a $10 credit if Fox channels go offline for an extended period, and they can access Fox content through Fox One, Fox's own streaming service [5]. Group 3: Market Context - The dispute between YouTube and Fox is part of a broader trend of contract disputes between content providers and delivery networks as viewers increasingly abandon cable [3]. - In February, YouTube faced a similar situation with Paramount Global, which was resolved with a multi-year distribution deal shortly after the warning [4]. Group 4: YouTube TV Metrics - YouTube TV's base plan costs $82.99 per month and includes over 100 live channels and unlimited cloud DVR [5]. - YouTube TV reportedly has over 8 million subscribers, with estimates suggesting around 9.4 million paying subscribers [6].

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.