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 - YouTube TV is at risk of losing access to Fox channels, including sports content, due to a contract dispute that needs resolution by a specified deadline [2][3][5]. Group 1: Contract Dispute - The current carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Fox is nearing its renewal deadline, with a critical decision required by 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday [3]. - Fox has expressed disappointment over Google's proposed terms, claiming they are not aligned with market standards [5]. Group 2: Financial Implications - YouTube stated that Fox is demanding payments significantly higher than those received by other partners with similar content offerings [4]. - YouTube TV's base plan costs $82.99 per month, and if Fox content becomes unavailable for an extended period, YouTube will offer subscribers a $10 credit [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Attention - Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has urged Google to finalize a deal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Fox channels for millions of viewers [6].

Google's YouTube said it will shut off Fox programming, including Fox Sports, from its YouTube TV streaming service unless a new contract is reached by 5:00 p.m. ET Wednesday. https://t.co/bXLW33Nlv2 ...

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]

Core Insights - Fox has acquired a 33% stake in Penske Entertainment, which owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, marking a strategic investment aimed at fostering growth for IndyCar and extending Fox Sports' media rights deal [1][4] - The partnership is expected to enhance IndyCar's visibility and engagement through innovative racing events, a stronger digital strategy, and improved promotion for drivers [4][5] - The Indianapolis 500 broadcast on Fox achieved an average of 7.01 million viewers, a 41% increase from the previous year, indicating a significant rise in IndyCar's viewership [8] Investment and Partnership Details - The investment is characterized as a strategic partnership to drive new growth for IndyCar, including a multi-year extension of Fox Sports' media rights [1][4] - Fox Sports is in its inaugural season broadcasting IndyCar, with all races aired on Fox, making it the only series in the U.S. not broadcast on cable [6][8] Leadership and Future Vision - Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports, expressed enthusiasm about joining the IndyCar ownership group, emphasizing the sport's potential for storytelling and fan engagement [2][5] - Roger Penske highlighted the long-standing trust and shared vision between Fox and Penske Entertainment, indicating a commitment to the sport's growth trajectory [5] Viewership Trends - IndyCar has seen a 31% year-over-year increase in viewership this season, reflecting a positive trend in audience engagement [8]

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]