FOXA.NASDAQFox CORP

10-Q: Fox Corporation Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results Driven by Super Bowl LIX and Digital Growth

Sentiment:

Quarterly Report


Fox Corporation's Q3 2025 revenues surged by 27% year-over-year, fueled by Super Bowl LIX broadcast and robust digital expansion.

Better than expectedThe company's revenue increased by 27% year-over-year, driven by Super Bowl LIX and digital growth, indicating better-than-expected performance.

Summary

  • Fox Corporation reported a 27% increase in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, reaching $4.371 billion compared to $3.447 billion in the same period of fiscal 2024.
  • The revenue growth was primarily driven by higher affiliate fees, advertising revenue, and other revenues.
  • Advertising revenue saw a significant boost due to the broadcast of Super Bowl LIX, contributing approximately $700 million.
  • Digital growth, particularly from the Tubi AVOD service, and higher news ratings also contributed to the increase in advertising revenue.
  • Operating expenses increased by 45% to $2.965 billion, mainly due to higher sports programming rights amortization and production costs related to Super Bowl LIX.
  • Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders decreased by 48% to $346 million, compared to $666 million in the prior year.
  • For the nine months ended March 31, 2025, revenues increased by 20% to $13.013 billion, and net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders increased by 31% to $1.546 billion.
  • The company repurchased approximately 17 million shares of Class A Common Stock for approximately $750 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2025.
  • As of March 31, 2025, the company's remaining stock repurchase authorization was approximately $650 million.
  • The company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.27 per share on both Class A and Class B Common Stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The report shows strong revenue growth driven by specific events and digital expansion, but a decrease in net income and restructuring charges temper the overall positive outlook. The company's strategic focus and capital allocation strategies are viewed favorably.

Positives

  • Significant revenue growth driven by Super Bowl LIX and digital expansion.
  • Strong performance in both Cable Network Programming and Television segments.
  • Continued growth in affiliate fee revenue due to higher average rates per subscriber.
  • Successful stock repurchase program, returning capital to shareholders.
  • The company is in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.
  • The company has an unused five-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a maturity date of June 2028.

Negatives

  • Net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders decreased in Q3 2025.
  • Operating expenses increased significantly due to higher programming costs.
  • Decline in the average number of subscribers across all networks partially offset affiliate fee revenue growth.
  • Restructuring charges and write-offs related to the discontinuation of Venu Sports impacted profitability.

Risks

  • Potential adverse effects from ongoing legal proceedings, including defamation and disparagement claims.
  • Risks associated with evolving technologies and distribution platforms.
  • Dependence on the popularity of content, including sports events.
  • The company's ability to renew programming rights, particularly sports programming rights, on sufficiently favorable terms, or at all.
  • Potential for further declines in the number of subscribers to MVPD services.
  • The failure to enter into or renew on favorable terms, or at all, affiliation or carriage agreements or arrangements through which the Company makes its content available for viewing through online video platforms.

Future Outlook

The company expects to continue to pay semi-annual dividends, although each dividend is subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors.

Industry Context

Fox's performance reflects the ongoing shift in the media landscape, with traditional broadcasting benefiting from major events like the Super Bowl, while digital platforms like Tubi continue to drive growth. The discontinuation of Venu Sports highlights the challenges in launching new streaming ventures in a competitive market.

Comparison to Industry Standards

  • Comparing Fox Corporation's performance to peers like Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Comcast, the revenue growth driven by major sporting events and digital platforms aligns with industry trends.
  • However, the decline in net income and the impact of restructuring charges may raise concerns compared to companies with more diversified revenue streams or less exposure to sports programming costs.
  • The company's stock repurchase program is a common practice among media companies to return value to shareholders, similar to actions taken by Disney and News Corporation.

Legal Proceedings

  • The Company continues to believe the Smartmatic and other pending lawsuits alleging defamation or disparagement are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously, including through any appeals.
  • The Company intends to continue to vigorously defend against these claims in In re Fox Corporation Deriv. Litig., C.A. No. 2023-0418 (Del.Ch.).
  • The Company intends to vigorously defend against the claims on appeal in Campos v. Tubi.

Stakeholder Impact

  • Shareholders will benefit from the stock repurchase program and continued dividend payments.
  • Employees may see increased opportunities due to company growth, but also face potential uncertainty from restructuring efforts.
  • Customers will continue to have access to a wide range of content through Fox's various platforms.
  • Suppliers and partners may see increased business opportunities due to Fox's revenue growth.

Next Steps

  • The company intends to continue to vigorously defend against claims in the Smartmatic case.
  • The company intends to continue to vigorously defend against claims on appeal in Campos v. Tubi.
  • The company expects to continue to pay semi-annual dividends, although each dividend is subject to approval by the Company's Board of Directors.

Key Dates

DateDescription
June 30, 2024End of fiscal year 2024
August 8, 2024Filing of 2024 Form 10-K with the SEC
December 2024The put right held by the Credible minority interest shareholder was exercised
January 10, 2025FOX, Disney and WBD announced the decision to discontinue Venu Sports
January 24, 2025The Illinois State Court entered a final order approving the Settlement and Release Agreement in Campos v. Tubi
February 2025The Company acquired a controlling ownership interest in a digital media company
February 24, 2025Ten individuals appealed the Illinois State Courts final order approving the Settlement and Release Agreement in Campos v. Tubi
March 5, 2025Record date for determining dividend entitlements
March 26, 2025Payment date for semi-annual dividend of $0.27 per share
March 31, 2025End of Q3 2025
April 2025$600 million of 3.050% senior notes due in April 2025 matured and were repaid in full
April 30, 2025The parties filed motions for summary judgment in the Smartmatic case
May 8, 2025As of May 8, 2025, 214,037,161 shares of Class A Common Stock and 235,581,025 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding
June 2028Maturity date of the $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility
fiscal 2027The put right held by the entertainment production companys minority shareholder will become exercisable
fiscal 2030The put right held by the digital media companys minority shareholders will become exercisable
late 2025 or early 2026At this time, a trial in the Smartmatic lawsuit is not expected to commence until late 2025 or early 2026 at the earliest

Keywords

Fox Corporation, financial results, Q3 2025, Super Bowl LIX, Tubi, advertising revenue, affiliate fees, stock repurchase, dividends, cable network programming, television, segment EBITDA

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