News Corporation Reports Second Quarter Earnings Per Share Of $1.01 On Net Income Attributable To Stockholders Of $2.38 Billion

Affiliate revenue grew 13% and 42% at the domestic and international cable channels, respectively. Domestic network growth reflects higher rates across all networks, led by growth at the Fox News Channel and RSNs. Approximately 40% of the international affiliate revenue increase reflects strong local currency growth at the non-sports channels at FIC and STAR. The balance of the growth was principally from the inclusion of Fox Pan American Sports (“FPAS”) and Fox Star Sports Asia, partially offset by the impact of the strengthened U.S. dollar.

Advertising revenue at the domestic cable channels grew 8% in the quarter over the prior year period driven by growth across most networks. The international cable channels’ advertising revenue improved 29% from the prior year quarter. Nearly two-thirds of the international cable revenue increase reflects strong local currency growth at the non-sports channels at FIC and STAR. The balance of the growth was from the inclusion of FPAS and Fox Star Sports Asia, partially offset by the impact of the strengthened U.S. dollar.

Expenses at Cable Network Programming grew 26% in the quarter over the corresponding period in the prior year due to increased sports programming costs, including increased rights costs at the RSNs related to the timing benefit in the prior year resulting from the NBA lockout, rights fees for BCCI cricket in India, expanded college football coverage, UFC rights fees, as well as expenses associated with the consolidation of the FPAS and Fox Star Sports Asia networks. These increases were partially offset by reduced National Hockey League rights costs at the RSNs resulting from this season’s lockout.

FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

Filmed Entertainment reported quarterly segment operating income of $383 million, as compared to the $393 million reported in the same period a year ago. Quarterly results reflect the successful worldwide theatrical performances of Taken 2 , which has grossed approximately $375 million in worldwide box office to date, and Life of Pi, which has grossed over $500 million in worldwide box office and is nominated for eleven Academy Awards including Best Picture. In aggregate, the Fox film studios garnered thirty-one Academy Award nominations, the most of any studio. In addition, the quarterly results include the successful worldwide home entertainment performance of Ice Age: Continental Drift. Prior year second quarter film results included the successful worldwide home entertainment performances of Rio, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and X-Men: First Class.

TELEVISION

Television reported quarterly segment operating income of $224 million, an increase of $35 million or 19% versus the same period a year ago. This increase reflects a more than doubling of retransmission consent revenues and increased local advertising at the Fox Television Stations driven by political advertising revenues. These improvements were partially offset by lower national advertising revenues, primarily reflecting lower primetime ratings at the Fox Broadcast Network and three fewer World Series games in the current year, as well as increased costs associated with expanded college football coverage.

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