Nov. 4, 2009 (Business Wire) -- News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today reported first quarter consolidated operating income of $1.04 billion, an increase of 9% compared with $953 million of operating income reported a year ago. This result reflects double-digit percentage profit increases at the Filmed Entertainment, Cable Network Programming and Book Publishing segments, partially offset by decreases at the Television, Direct Broadcast Satellite Television, Newspapers and Information Services and Other segments.

First quarter net income of $571 million ($0.22 per share) increased 11% versus net income of $515 million ($0.20 per share) reported in the first quarter a year ago. The year-on-year increase is largely driven by higher operating profit and equity contributions from affiliates due to the absence of a $422 million write-down of the Company’s investment in Sky Deutschland AG (formerly known as Premiere AG) taken during the prior year period. These improvements were partially offset by the absence of the gain on the sale of eight television stations included in Other, net in the prior year.

Commenting on the results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch said:

“I am pleased that News Corporation has delivered exceptionally strong results this quarter, despite continued macro-economic challenges. Operating income growth was led by gains at our worldwide cable network programming businesses and renewed momentum at our Filmed Entertainment segment, reflecting our strong slate of films at the global box office.

“The strategic steps we took last year to ensure stability during the downturn have proven successful, with significant cost reductions offsetting much of the revenue declines in our Television and Newspapers and Information Services segments. The economies in which we do business are clearly in better shape than they were a year ago, and we have further positioned our operations to take advantage of the improvements we are seeing globally. We will continue to manage our businesses smartly and confidently under the security of a strong balance sheet.”

REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS

As a result of a restructuring in the first quarter, the operating results of STAR Group Limited (STAR) which were previously reported in the Television segment are now included within the Cable Network Programming segment. Prior year STAR results have also been reclassified to the Cable Network Programming segment to conform to the current year presentation. A schedule of fiscal 2009 revenue and operating income (loss) by quarter reflecting this reclassification is included in Note 1. In addition, the Magazines and Inserts segment has been renamed the Integrated Marketing Services segment.

Filmed Entertainment

The Filmed Entertainment segment reported fiscal first quarter operating income of $391 million, compared with $251 million reported in the same period a year ago. This set a record for the highest fiscal first quarter operating income ever for this segment. The increase was driven by the worldwide theatrical success of Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which is the highest international grossing animated film of all time and the third highest international grossing film ever, having generated more than $880 million in worldwide box-office receipts to date. First quarter film results also include the worldwide home entertainment performance of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the home entertainment and pay-TV performance of Taken.

Twentieth Century Fox Television reported decreased contributions versus a year ago, primarily due to lower contributions from home entertainment releases and reduced domestic television revenue.

Television

The Television segment reported first quarter operating income of $38 million, a decline of $45 million versus the same period a year ago, due to lower contributions from the Fox Television Stations (FTS) and FOX Broadcasting Company.

FTS’ first quarter operating income decreased 26% from the same period a year ago reflecting overall local advertising trends, particularly in the automotive and movie sectors, as well as lower comparative political advertising. FTS achieved record market share for the fiscal first quarter, with FTS revenues down only 14% for the quarter compared to estimated market declines of 21%.

FOX Broadcasting Company’s first quarter results were lower due to higher primetime programming costs driven by increased license fees for returning series and decreased advertising revenue. While primetime advertising revenues increased as a result of pricing, sports revenue declined, principally due to fewer National Football League games broadcast and lower Major League Baseball contributions.

Cable Network Programming

Cable Network Programming reported first quarter operating income of $495 million, an increase of $145 million over the first quarter a year ago. The 41% growth reflects increased contributions from FOX News Channel (FNC), the Fox International Channels, STAR, the Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) and the Big Ten Network.

FNC achieved its highest ever quarterly profit and increased its operating income 79% versus the first quarter a year ago primarily from increased affiliate revenues on higher rates and lower political coverage costs. During the quarter, viewership at FNC was 125% greater than its nearest competitor in primetime and 94% higher on a 24-hour basis, reflecting FNC’s broadcasting of the top ten shows in cable news. In terms of total viewers, FNC achieved its third highest rated quarter ever in primetime and fifth highest rated quarter ever in total day.

At the Company’s other cable channels, operating profit increased 28% from the prior year’s first quarter results. Higher contributions at the Big Ten Network and RSNs were primarily the result of increased affiliate revenues. Increased contributions from the Fox International Channels were driven by continued affiliate revenue growth in Latin America, Europe and Asia. STAR’s first quarter operating results improved versus the same quarter a year ago on advertising and subscription revenue gains, as well as the absence of the expense related to the termination of a distribution agreement in the prior year. Restructuring costs and related asset write-downs of $28 million arising from a reorganization of STAR in the first quarter partially offset these improvements.

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television

SKY Italia reported first quarter operating income of $128 million, a decrease of $37 million versus the $165 million in operating income reported a year ago. Slight local currency revenue growth was more than offset by increased programming costs, reflecting a larger average subscriber base, higher soccer costs and the addition of 16 new channels over the year ago quarter. SKY Italia’s 4.8 million quarter-end subscriber base remained unchanged compared with fiscal year end, as gross subscriber additions in the quarter were fully offset by existing subscriber cancellations.

Integrated Marketing Services

The Integrated Marketing Services segment reported first quarter operating income of $73 million, a 7% increase versus the $68 million reported in the same quarter a year ago. Higher demand for in-store marketing products and increased contributions from free-standing inserts, partially offset by higher commissions for in-store marketing products, primarily drove the improved results.

Newspapers and Information Services

The Newspapers and Information Services segment reported first quarter operating income of $25 million, a decrease of $109 million compared with the same period a year ago. The decline was driven by lower advertising revenues, partially offset by lower operating expenses.

The U.K. newspaper group reported lower first quarter operating income contributions compared to the year ago quarter due to a 15% reduction in advertising revenues and a 6% decline in circulation revenues in local currency terms.

The Australian newspaper group reported lower first quarter operating income versus a strong first quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily due to a 17% decline in local currency advertising revenues, reflecting reduced classified, national and real estate advertising. Circulation revenues were in line with the prior year quarter. The reduced revenue contribution was partially offset by lower operating expenses.

Dow Jones’ first quarter operating results declined from the same period a year ago, due to lower advertising revenue at The Wall Street Journal and lower information services revenue. These declines were partially offset by reduced operating expenses and increased circulation revenues which were driven by price increases at The Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal now has the largest circulation of any newspaper in the U.S.

Book Publishing

HarperCollins operating income of $20 million increased $17 million versus the same period a year ago due to higher sales at the Children’s and General Books divisions, as well as reduced operating expenses from restructuring efforts in the prior year. First quarter results included strong sales of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith and the paperback edition of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. During the quarter, HarperCollins had 47 books on The New York Times bestseller list, including four books that reached the number 1 spot.

Other

The Other segment reported a first quarter operating loss of $128 million, $27 million greater than the prior year. This decline was primarily due to the absence of contributions from NDS Group Limited (NDS) reflecting the sale of a portion of the Company’s ownership stake in February 2009. The prior year quarter included NDS revenue and operating income of $163 million and $29 million, respectively. As a result of the sale, the Company’s portion of NDS operating results subsequent to February 5, 2009 is included within Equity earnings of affiliates. In addition, earnings contributions from the Digital Media Group decreased by $22 million from a year ago, principally due to lower search and advertising revenue. These declines were partially offset by improved operating results at our eastern European television stations.

REVIEW OF EQUITY EARNINGS (LOSSES) OF AFFILIATES’ RESULTS

First quarter net earnings from affiliates were $32 million versus a loss of $359 million in the same period a year ago. The increased contributions from affiliates are due to the absence of a $422 million write-down taken a year ago of the Company’s investment in Sky Deutschland, partially offset by the Company’s increase in ownership. The first quarter results were also positively impacted by higher contributions from BSkyB due to higher subscription revenues and the absence of the prior year write-down of its ITV investment.

The Company’s share of equity earnings (losses) of affiliates is as follows:

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Foreign Exchange Rates

Average foreign exchange rates used in the year-to-date results are as follows:

To receive a copy of this press release through the Internet, access News Corp’s corporate Web site located at http://www.newscorp.com

Audio from News Corp’s conference call with analysts on the first quarter results can be heard live on the Internet at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today. To listen to the call, visit http://www.newscorp.com

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information about these and other factors that could affect future results is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The “forward-looking statements” included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and we do not have any obligation to publicly update any “forward-looking statements” to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

As a result of a restructuring in the first quarter, the operating results of STAR which were previously reported in the Television segment are now included within the Cable Network Programming segment. Prior year STAR results have also been reclassified to the Cable Network Programming segment to conform to the current year presentation. A schedule of fiscal 2009 revenue and operating income (loss) by quarter reflecting this reclassification is included in Note 1. In addition, the Magazines and Inserts segment has been renamed the Integrated Marketing Services segment.

NOTE 1 – RECLASSIFICATION OF STAR REVENUE AND OPERATING RESULTS

As a result of a restructuring in the first quarter, the operating results of STAR which were previously reported in the Television segment are now included within the Cable Network Programming segment. Prior year STAR results have also been reclassified to the Cable Network Programming segment to conform to the current year presentation.

The following tables present the reclassified prior year revenue and operating results by quarter.

NOTE 2 - OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

Operating income before depreciation and amortization, defined as operating income plus depreciation and amortization and the amortization of cable distribution investments, eliminates the variable effect across all business segments of non-cash depreciation and amortization. Since operating income before depreciation and amortization is a non-GAAP measure it should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Operating income before depreciation and amortization does not reflect cash available to fund requirements, and the items excluded from operating income before depreciation and amortization, such as depreciation and amortization, are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance. Management believes that operating income before depreciation and amortization is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments. Operating income before depreciation and amortization, which is the information reported to and used by the Company’s chief decision maker for the purpose of making decisions about the allocation of resources to segments and assessing their performance, provides management, investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze operating performance of each business segment and enterprise value against historical and competitors’ data.

The following table reconciles operating income before depreciation and amortization to the presentation of operating income.