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Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. – ‘10-Q’ for 12/31/06

On:  Wednesday, 2/7/07, at 4:39pm ET   ·   For:  12/31/06   ·   Accession #:  1193125-7-22629   ·   File #:  1-32352

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 2/07/07  Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.    10-Q       12/31/06    5:1.1M                                   RR Donnelley/FA

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 2: EX-12.1     Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                  HTML     16K 
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                          to Section 906                                         

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

or

Commission file number 001-32352

NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 852-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and larger accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of February 5, 2007, 2,184,051,129 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 986,520,953 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

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NEWS CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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NEWS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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NEWS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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NEWS CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

News Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with its subsidiaries (together “News Corporation” or the “Company”), is a diversified entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in eight segments: Filmed Entertainment, Television, Cable Network Programming, Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (“DBS”), Magazines and Inserts, Newspapers, Book Publishing and Other.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 23, 2006.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of News Corporation and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Equity investments in which the Company exercises significant influence but does not exercise control and is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company is not able to exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted for under the cost method.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain fiscal 2006 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2007 presentation.

The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday nearest to each reporting date. As such, all references to December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 relate to the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of December 31.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” total comprehensive income for the Company consists of the following:

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Basis of Presentation (continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), to create a single model to address accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company will adopt FIN 48 as of July 1, 2007, as required. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 will be recorded in retained earnings and other accounts as applicable. The Company has not determined the effect, if any, the adoption of FIN 48 will have on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), providing a framework to improve the comparability and consistency of fair value measurements in applying GAAP. SFAS No. 157 also expands the disclosures regarding fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. The Company is currently evaluating what effects the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on the Company’s future results of operations and financial condition.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (“SFAS No. 158”). SFAS No. 158 improves financial reporting by requiring an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in that funded status in the fiscal year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. FAS 158 will be effective for the Company as of June 30, 2007 and applied prospectively. Using information as of the Company’s last measurement date, June 30, 2006, the Company would have recorded a decrease of approximately $150 million in other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. These amounts may change when the Company actually adopts FAS 158 on June 30, 2007, as a result of changes in the underlying market information during the current fiscal year.

Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions

Fiscal 2007 Transactions

Acquisitions

In September 2006, the Company and VeriSign, Inc. (“VeriSign”) announced a joint venture to form a new provider of mobile entertainment. The transaction closed in January 2007, and the Company paid approximately $188 million for a controlling interest in VeriSign’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Jamba, which was combined with the Company’s Fox Mobile Entertainment assets.

In November 2006, the Company acquired a controlling interest in TGRT for approximately $103 million. TGRT is a national general interest broadcast television station in Turkey. The excess purchase price over the fair market value of the tangible net assets acquired including acquisition related costs was approximately $102 million, which will be allocated to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets and goodwill.

In November 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to buy FPC Magazines, a publisher of 25 magazine titles in Australia, from F Hannan Pty Limited for approximately $130 million. The closing of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions (continued)

In December 2006, NDS Group plc, an indirect majority owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired Jungo Limited (“Jungo”), a developer and supplier of software for residential gateway devices, for approximately $91 million. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets acquired, including acquisition related costs was approximately $82 million, of which $30 million has been preliminarily allocated to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets with the remaining $52 million preliminarily allocated to goodwill. Additional consideration of up to $17 million may be payable in cash, contingent upon Jungo achieving certain revenue and profitability targets in the year ending December 31, 2007.

In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”) the excess purchase price that has been allocated or has been preliminarily allocated to goodwill is not being amortized for all of the acquisitions noted above. Where the allocation of the excess purchase price is not final, the amount allocated to goodwill is subject to changes upon completion of final valuations of certain assets and liabilities. A future reduction in goodwill for additional value to be assigned to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets or tangible assets could reduce future earnings as a result of additional amortization. For every $10 million reduction in goodwill for additional value to be assigned to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets or tangible assets, Depreciation and amortization expense would increase by approximately $1 million per year, representing amortization expense assuming an average useful life of ten years.

The aforementioned acquisitions were all accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”

Share Exchange Agreement

On December 22, 2006, the Company signed a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty”). Under the terms of the transaction, Liberty will exchange its entire economic position in the Company (approximately 325 million shares and 188 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”), respectively) for 100% of a News Corporation subsidiary (“Splitco”), whose holdings will consist of an approximately 38% interest (approximately 470 million shares) in The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (“DIRECTV”) constituting the Company’s entire interest in DIRECTV, three of the Company’s Regional Sports Networks (FSN Northwest, FSN Pittsburgh and FSN Rocky Mountain (the “Three RSNs”)) and $550 million in cash, subject to adjustment.

The transaction contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, regulatory approvals, the receipt of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, approval by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Class B Common Stock, other than the shares owned by Liberty and its associates and by Mr. K. Rupert Murdoch, the Murdoch Family Trust and Cruden Financial Services LLC (collectively the “Murdoch Interests”) and the absence of a material adverse effect on Splitco. If approved, the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of calendar 2007.

Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, the Company must pay to Liberty a termination fee of $100 million in cash if the Share Exchange Agreement is terminated by either the Company or Liberty due to the failure by the Company to obtain the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of the Class B Common Stock, other than by Liberty and its associates and the Murdoch Interests; provided that the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) does not change its recommendation to stockholders to vote in favor of the Share Exchange Agreement. The Company must pay to Liberty a termination fee of $300 million in circumstances in which the Share Exchange Agreement is terminated by Liberty following a change in recommendation by the Board.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions (continued)

The Company will enter into a non-competition agreement with DIRECTV and non-competition agreements with each of the Three RSNs, in each case, restricting its right to compete for a period of four years with DIRECTV and the Three RSNs in the respective regions in which such entities are operating on the date the Share Exchange Agreement is consummated.

Other Transactions

In August 2006, the Company announced that its Fox Interactive Media (“FIM”) division entered into a multi-year search technology and services agreement with Google, Inc. (“Google”), pursuant to which Google is the exclusive search and keyword-targeted advertising sales provider for a majority of FIM’s web properties. Under the terms of the agreement, Google is obligated to make guaranteed minimum revenue share payments to FIM of $900 million based on FIM’s achievement of certain traffic and other commitments. These guaranteed minimum revenue share payments are expected to be made over the period beginning the first quarter of calendar 2007 and ending in the second quarter of calendar 2010.

The Company previously entered into an agreement with a direct response marketing company that provided the Company with participation rights if the direct response marketing company is ever sold or consummates certain other strategic transactions. In December 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to terminate the participation rights for $100 million, of which $50 million was received by the Company in December 2006. The Company expects this transaction to close in March 2007 and expects to record a gain on this transaction. An additional termination payment of $175 million will be made to the Company by the direct response marketing company if it is sold prior to March 31, 2008.

Fiscal 2006 Transactions

Acquisitions

In September 2005, the Company acquired the 25% stake in News Out of Home (“NOOH”) that it did not already own for approximately $175 million in cash. This acquisition increased the Company’s ownership of NOOH to 100%. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately $130 million, of which $51 million was allocated to goodwill with the remaining $79 million allocated to certain indefinite-lived intangible assets.

In order to increase the Company’s Internet presence, the Company purchased several Internet companies during fiscal 2006 through its FIM division. The amount of goodwill resulting from Internet acquisitions during fiscal 2006 was approximately $1.3 billion and primarily related to the following fiscal 2006 transactions:

In September 2005, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common and preferred stock of Intermix Media, Inc. (“Intermix”) for approximately $580 million in cash. Under an existing stockholders’ agreement between Intermix, MySpace, Inc. (“MySpace”), an Internet entertainment company, and certain other stockholders of MySpace, Intermix exercised its option in July 2005 to acquire the outstanding 47% equity interest of MySpace that it did not already own for approximately $70 million in cash. This transaction, which closed in October 2005, increased Intermix’s ownership in MySpace to 100%. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets acquired from Intermix was approximately $644 million, of which approximately $560 million has been allocated to goodwill¸ with the remaining $84 million allocated to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets.

In September 2005, the Company acquired Scout Media, Inc., the parent company of Scout.com, the country’s leading independent online sports network, and Scout Publishing, producer of widely read local

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2—Acquisitions, Disposals and Other Transactions (continued)

sports magazines in the United States, for approximately $60 million, substantially all of which has been allocated to goodwill.

In October 2005, the Company acquired IGN Entertainment, Inc., a leading community-based Internet media and services company for video games and other forms of digital entertainment, for approximately $620 million in cash and approximately $30 million in cash pending the satisfaction of certain conditions. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets acquired including acquisition related costs was approximately $622 million, of which $551 million has been allocated to goodwill, with the remaining $71 million allocated to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets.

In May 2006, the Company acquired a U.S. regional cable sports and entertainment channel in the southeast region for approximately $375 million. This channel has broadcast rights to the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers and shares broadcast rights to Major League Baseball’s (“MLB”) Atlanta Braves and the National Basketball Association’s Atlanta Hawks together with one of the Company’s existing regional sports networks. The purchase price preliminarily allocated to goodwill was $295 million, with the remaining $80 million preliminarily allocated to identifiable finite-lived intangible assets.

The aforementioned acquisitions were all accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.”

Disposals

In October 2005, the Company sold its TSL Education Ltd. division (“TSL”), which included The Times Educational Supplement and other newspapers, magazines, websites and exhibitions aimed at teachers and education professionals in the United Kingdom, for cash consideration of approximately $395 million. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a gain of $381 million, net of tax of $0.

In April 2006, the Company sold Sky Radio Limited (“Sky Radio”), a commercial radio station group in the Netherlands and Germany, for cash consideration of approximately $215 million. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $134 million, net of tax of $0.

The net income, assets, liabilities and cash flow attributable to the TSL and Sky Radio operations were not material to the Company in any of the periods presented and accordingly have not been presented separately. There was no provision for income taxes related to these transactions as any tax due was offset by a release of a valuation allowance that was applied to an existing deferred tax asset established for capital losses, which because of the sale of TSL and Sky Radio was able to be utilized. Therefore, there was no resulting tax provision.

In February 2004, the Company sold the Los Angeles Dodgers (“Dodgers”) and related properties to entities owned by Frank McCourt (the “McCourt Entities”) for $421 million in consideration. Part of the consideration delivered by the McCourt Entities at closing was a $125 million note secured by certain real estate in Boston, Massachusetts. In March 2006, the McCourt entities remitted the real estate to the Company in full satisfaction of the note, including accrued interest of $20 million. This real estate consists of approximately 23 acres located in the Seaport District of Boston, Massachusetts. In conjunction with this transfer, the Company assumed $36 million in debt. The Company recorded the assets and liabilities received at fair value upon closing. No gain or loss was recognized as the net fair value of the land approximated the value of the note. In September 2006, the Company sold this property for $202 million in cash. The Company discharged all of the debt on the property at the time of the sale. Upon the completion of the March 2006 transaction, the Company recorded the assets and liabilities received at fair value and accordingly no gain or loss was recognized on the sale of the land in September 2006.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 3—United Kingdom Redundancy Program

In fiscal 2005, the Company announced its intention to invest in new printing plants in the United Kingdom to take advantage of technological and market changes. As the new automated technology comes on line, the Company expects lower production costs and improved newspaper quality, including expanded color.

In conjunction with this project, during the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company received formal approval for the construction of the main new plant which was the last contingency, thereby committing the Company to a redundancy program (the “Program”) for certain production employees at the Company’s U.K. newspaper operations. The Program is in response to the reduced workforce that will be required as new printing presses and the new printing facilities eventually come on line. As a result of this Program, the Company expects to reduce its production workforce by approximately 65%, and as of December 31, 2006, approximately 700 employees in the United Kingdom had already accepted severance agreements and are expected to leave the Company in fiscal 2007 and 2008.

In accordance with SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements & Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” the Company recorded a redundancy provision of approximately $109 million during fiscal 2006 in Other operating charges, of which $99 million was recorded during the six months ended December 31, 2005. During the three and six months ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an additional $6 million and $10 million, respectively, relating to the Program, which was comprised of an increase to the original provision amount, accretion and retention expenses, in Other operating charges in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Program liabilities of approximately $57 million and $66 million were included in the December 31, 2006 unaudited consolidated balance sheet in other current liabilities and in non-current other liabilities, respectively. The Company expects to record an additional provision of approximately $17 million through fiscal 2008 to record accretion on the redundancy provision and to recognize any retention bonuses earned. A majority of the Program’s costs are expected to be paid in cash to employees in fiscal 2008.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 4—Inventories, net

The Company’s inventories were comprised of the following:

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5—Investments

The Company’s investments were comprised of the following:

During the six months ended December 31, 2006, Gemstar-TV Guide’s common stock experienced significant volatility in its market value, trading between a low of $2.59 per share on July 25, 2006 and a high of $4.11 per share on December 29, 2006, equating to approximately 68% and 107% of the Company’s carrying value at December 31, 2006, respectively. As of December 31, 2006, the Company’s market value in Gemstar-TV Guide exceeded its carrying value by approximately $32 million.

Due to the volatility of Gemstar-TV Guide’s common stock, the Company will continue to monitor this investment for possible future impairment.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5—Investments (continued)

Fiscal Year 2007 Acquisitions and Disposals

In August 2006, the Company sold a portion of its equity investment in Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited (“Phoenix”), representing a 19.9% stake for approximately $164 million. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $136 million on the sale included in Other, net in the unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2006. The Company retained a 17.6% stake in Phoenix, which is accounted for under the cost method of accounting and, accordingly, the carrying value is adjusted to market value each reporting period as required under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”

In October 2006, certain cable systems in Taiwan, in which the Company maintains a minority interest ownership, entered into an agreement to be acquired by a third party. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval by Taiwan’s government and other conditions. The Company expects to record a gain on this transaction.

In October 2006, the Company acquired a 7.3% share in John Fairfax Holdings, Ltd. (“Fairfax”), an Australian newspaper publisher, for approximately $299 million. As of December 31, 2006 the Company’s investment in Fairfax was recorded at fair value.

In December 2006, the Company acquired 25% stakes in each of NGC International and NGC UK joint ventures for a combined total of approximately $154 million, the two joint ventures produce and distribute the National Geographic Channel in various international markets. The transaction increased the Company’s interest in NGC International to 75% with National Geographic Television holding the remaining interest. NGC UK is now owned 25% by the Company, 50% by BSkyB with the remaining portion held by National Geographic Television.

Prior Fiscal Years Acquisitions and Disposals

In July 2005, the Company sold its entire cost investment in China Netcom Group Corporation (“China Netcom”). The Company’s 1% investment in China Netcom was sold for total consideration of approximately $112 million. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $52 million on this sale which was included in Other, net in the consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2005.

In October 2004, the Company and its then 34% investee, DIRECTV, announced a series of transactions with Group Televisa, Globopar and Liberty that would result in the reorganization of the companies’ direct-to-home (“DTH”) satellite television platforms in Latin America. The transactions would result in DIRECTV Latin America and Sky Latin America consolidating their two DTH platforms into a single platform in each of the major territories served in the region. As part of these transactions, DIRECTV would acquire News Corporation’s interests in Sky Multi-Country Partners, Innova and Sky Brasil.

The Sky Multi-Country Partners transaction closed during fiscal 2005 and the Company recognized a pre-tax loss of approximately $55 million on this transaction.

In February 2006, the Company completed its sale of its investment in Innova, a Mexican DTH platform, to DIRECTV for $285 million. As a result of this transaction, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $206 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company deferred a portion of its total gain on sale due to its indirect retained interest through the Company’s ownership of DIRECTV. Upon the closing of the Innova transaction, the Company was released from both its Innova transponder lease guarantee and its guarantee under Innova’s credit agreement.

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NEWS CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 5—Investments (continued)

In August 2006, the Company completed the sale of its investment in Sky Brasil, a Brazilian DTH platform, to DIRECTV for approximately $300 million in cash which was received in fiscal 2005. The Company recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $261 million, which is included in Other, net in the unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2006. The Company deferred a portion of its total gain on sale due to its indirect retained interest through the Company’s ownership of DIRECTV. As a result of the transaction, the Company was released from its Sky Brasil transponder lease guarantee and was released from its credit agreement guarantee in January 2007. (See Note 10—Commitments and Guarantees)

Summarized financial information for significant equity affiliates, determined in accordance with Regulation S-X, accounted for under the equity method is as follows:

Note 6—Intangible Assets

Effective July 1, 2005, the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Topic No. D-108, “Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other Than Goodwill” (“D-108”). D-108 requires companies who have applied the residual value method in the valuation of acquired identifiable intangibles for purchase accounting and impairment testing to now use a direct value method. As a result of the adoption, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $1.6 billion ($1.0 billion net of tax, or ($0.32) per diluted share of Class A Common Stock and ($0.27) per diluted share of Class B Common Stock), to reduce the intangible balances attributable to its television stations’ Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses. As required, this charge has been reflected as a cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax in the unaudited consolidated statement of operations.

The direct valuation method used for FCC licenses requires, among other inputs, the use of published industry data that are based on subjective judgments about future advertising revenues in the markets where the Company owns television stations. This method also involves the use of management’s judgment in estimating an appropriate discount rate reflecting the risk of a market participant in the U.S. broadcast industry. The resulting fair values for FCC licenses are sensitive to these long-term assumptions and any variations to such assumptions could result in an impairment to existing carrying values in future periods.

Note 7—Borrowings

The Company previously entered into two loan agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “EBRD”) and had an outstanding balance of $154 million under these loans at June 30, 2006. In August 2006, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (“RZB”) for $300 million and repaid all amounts outstanding under the Company’s loan agreements with the EBRD. As of December 31, 2006, $140 million remains available for future use. The RZB loan bears interest at LIBOR for a period equal to each one, three or six month interest period, plus a margin of up to 2.85% dependent upon

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7—Borrowings (continued)

certain financial metrics. Principal amounts under the RZB loan are to be repaid in equal amounts every six months starting on the second anniversary of the date of the agreement until the fifth anniversary of the date of the agreement. The remaining available amount under the RZB loan, which may be drawn prior to the second anniversary of the date of the agreement, will be used to expand the Company’s outdoor advertising business primarily in Russia and Eastern Europe. The loans are secured by certain guarantees, bank accounts and share pledges of the Company’s Russian operating subsidiaries.

Interest expense, net consists of:

Note 8—Stockholders’ Equity

Rights of Holders of Common Stock

On August 8, 2006, the Company announced that, in accordance with the terms of the settlement of a lawsuit regarding the Company’s stockholder rights plan, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had approved the adoption of an Amended and Restated Rights Plan, extending the term of the Company’s existing stockholder rights plan from November 7, 2007 to October 20, 2008. The Board has the right to extend the term for an additional year if the situation with Liberty has not, in the Board’s judgment, been resolved. The terms of the Amended and Restated Rights Plan remain the same as the Company’s existing stockholder rights plan in all other material respects. Pursuant to the terms of the settlement, on October 20, 2006, the Amended and Restated Rights Plan was presented for a vote of the Company’s Class B stockholders at the Company’s 2006 annual meeting of stockholders and the stockholders voted in favor of its approval. (See Note 11—Contingencies for more information on the settlement of the lawsuit).

Dividends

The Company declared a dividend of $0.06 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.05 per share for the Company’s Class B Common Stock in the three months ended September 30, 2006, which were paid in October 2006 to stockholders of record on September 13, 2006. The total aggregate dividend paid to stockholders in October 2006 was approximately $180 million.

Repurchase Program

In June 2005, the Company announced a stock repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to acquire from time to time up to an aggregate of $3 billion in Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. In May 2006, the Company announced that the Board had authorized increasing the total amount of the stock repurchase program to $6 billion. The remaining authorized amount under the Company’s stock repurchase program at December 31, 2006, excluding commissions, was approximately $3.4 billion.

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 9—Equity Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the Company’s equity-based compensation transactions:

At December 31, 2006, the Company’s total compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock appreciation rights not yet recognized for all plans was approximately $285 million, the majority of which is expected to be recognized over the next three fiscal years. Compensation expense on all equity-based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award.

Stock options exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 resulted in the Company’s issuance of approximately 11 million and 5 million shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively. The Company recognized a tax benefit on stock options exercised of $26 million and $12 million for the six months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

During the six months ended December 31, 2006, the Company issued 1.7 million RSUs. These RSUs will be settled in shares of Class A Common Stock upon vesting, except for approximately 0.5 million RSUs that will be settled in cash.

During the six months ended December 31, 2006, approximately 4.0 million RSUs vested, of which approximately 3.4 million were settled in Class A Common Stock, before statutory tax withholdings, and the remaining RSUs were settled in cash.

Note 10—Commitments and Guarantees

Commitments

In July 2006, the Company signed a new contract with MLB for rights to telecast certain regular season and post season games, as well as exclusive rights to telecast MLB’s World Series and All-Star Game for a seven-year term through the 2013 MLB season. The Company will pay approximately $1.8 billion over the term of the contract for these rights.

The Company has commenced a project to upgrade its printing presses with new automated technology, that once on line, are expected to lower production costs and improve newspaper quality, including expanded color. As part of this initiative, the Company entered into several third party printing contracts in the United Kingdom totaling approximately $463 million and expiring in fiscal 2022.

In October 2006, the Company entered into an eight year agreement with Nielsen Media Research (“Nielsen”) under which Nielsen will provide audience measurement services for 49 of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates.

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Note 10—Commitments and Guarantees (continued)

Guarantees

The Company had guaranteed a transponder lease for Sky Brasil, an equity affiliate of the Company. The Company also guaranteed $210 million of the obligation of Sky Brasil under a credit agreement. Upon the closing of the sale of Sky Brasil in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company was released from the transponder lease and was released from its credit agreement guarantee in January 2007.

Note 11—Contingencies

Stockholder Litigation

On October 6, 2005, 13 professionally managed investment funds that own the Company’s stock filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company and its individual directors. The complaint, captioned Unisuper et al. v. News Corp., C.A. No. 1699-N, raised claims of breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty relating to the policy of the Board concerning the Company’s stockholder rights plan, and the August 2005 decision of the Board to extend the expiration of the existing stockholder rights plan until November 8, 2007.

On April 13, 2006, the Company announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the trial and all remaining proceedings in the litigation were postponed pending a stockholder vote on a rights plan to be held at the Company’s annual stockholders meeting in October 2006 (the “Annual Meeting”). If stockholders voted in favor of the rights plan, the litigation was to be dismissed. If stockholders voted against the rights plan, the Company had the right to treat the vote as advisory and proceed with the litigation.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, if the Company’s stockholders voted in favor of the rights plan, then at the expiration of the existing rights plan or any other rights plan, the Company may adopt subsequent rights plans of one-year duration without stockholder approval, subject to interim periods of nine months between rights plans. If during or prior to any interim period, any stockholder (i) acquires 5 percent or more of the Company’s voting stock, (ii) offers to purchase voting stock or assets that would result in their owning 30 percent or more of the Company’s voting stock or assets or (iii) in certain other circumstances, the Company may immediately adopt a new rights plan of one-year duration. The Company may, of course, also adopt new rights plans or extend existing rights plans of unlimited duration with stockholder approval. The provisions discussed in this paragraph shall be in effect until the twentieth anniversary of the Annual Meeting. The terms of the settlement agreement are not intended to limit, restrict or eliminate the ability of the Company’s stockholders under applicable Delaware law to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation in any manner. As part of the settlement, the Company has agreed to pay the plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and expenses in the litigation.

On April 18, 2006, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered a scheduling order (the “Scheduling Order”) (i) preliminarily approving the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of the class of Plaintiffs (the “Class”) set forth in the Stipulation of Settlement and (ii) setting the date for a hearing for the purposes of: (a) determining whether the action should be certified as a class action, (b) determining whether the terms of the proposed settlement are fair, reasonable and in the best interests of the Class, and (c) considering the application of Plaintiffs’ counsel for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses. The settlement hearing was held on May 23, 2006. Liberty filed an objection to the settlement. Before approving the settlement, the Court instructed the parties to clarify the terms of the releases that they were providing each other in order to make them easier to read, and to make express that claims against the parties based on future conduct were not being released. On June 1, 2006, the Court issued its order and final judgment approving the settlement.

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Note 11—Contingencies (continued)

At the Annual Meeting on October 20, 2006, the Company’s stockholders approved the extension of the existing rights plan to October 2008, with the Company having the right to extend the rights plan for a year if the situation with Liberty has not, in the Board’s judgment, been resolved, and pursuant to the Stipulation of Settlement and the Court’s order, this action has been dismissed, with prejudice.

NDS

Echostar Litigation

On June 6, 2003, Echostar Communications Corporation, Echostar Satellite Corporation, Echostar Technologies Corporation and Nagrastar L.L.C. (collectively, “Echostar”) filed an action against NDS in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Echostar filed an amended complaint on October 8, 2003, which purported to allege claims for violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), the Communications Act of 1934 (“CA”), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, California’s Unfair Competition statute and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) statute. The complaint also purported to allege claims for civil conspiracy, misappropriation of trade secrets and interference with prospective business advantage. The complaint sought injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory and exemplary damages and restitution. On December 22, 2003, all of the claims were dismissed by the court, except for the DMCA, CA and unfair competition claims, and the court limited these claims to acts allegedly occurring within three years of the filing of Echostar’s original complaint.

After Echostar filed a second amended complaint, NDS filed a motion to dismiss this complaint on March 31, 2004. On July 21, 2004, the court issued an order directing Echostar to, among other things, file a third amended complaint within ten days correcting various deficiencies noted in the second amended complaint. Echostar filed its third amended complaint on August 4, 2004. On August 6, 2004, the court ruled that NDS was free to file a motion to dismiss the third amended complaint, which NDS did on September 20, 2004. The hearing occurred on January 3, 2005. On February 28, 2005, the court issued an order treating NDS’s motion to dismiss as a motion for a more definite statement, granting the motion and giving Echostar until March 30, 2005 to file a fourth amended complaint correcting various deficiencies noted in the third amended complaint. On March 30, 2005, Echostar filed a fourth amended complaint, which NDS moved to dismiss. On July 27, 2005, the court granted in part and denied in part NDS’s motion to dismiss, and again limited Echostar’s surviving claims to acts allegedly occurring within three years of the filing of Echostar’s original complaint. NDS’s management believe these surviving claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them.

On October 24, 2005, NDS filed its Amended Answer with Counterclaims, alleging that Echostar misappropriated NDS’s trade secrets, violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and engaged in unfair competition. On November 8, 2005, Echostar moved to dismiss NDS’s counterclaims for conversion and claim and delivery, arguing that these claims were preempted and time-barred. Echostar also moved for a more definite statement of NDS’s trade secret misappropriation claim. On December 8, 2005, the court granted in part and denied in part Echostar’s motion to dismiss and for a more definite statement, but granted NDS leave to file amended counterclaims. On December 13, 2005, NDS filed a Second Amended Answer with Counterclaims, which Echostar answered on December 27, 2005. The court has set this case to go to trial in November 2007.

Sogecable Litigation

On July 25, 2003, Sogecable, S.A. and its subsidiary Canalsatellite Digital, S.L., Spanish satellite broadcasters and customers of Canal+ Technologies SA (together, “Sogecable”), filed an action against NDS in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Sogecable filed an amended complaint on October 9, 2003, which purported to allege claims for violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the

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Note 11—Contingencies (continued)

federal RICO Act. The amended complaint also purported to allege claims for interference with contract and prospective business advantage. The complaint sought injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory and exemplary damages and restitution. On December 22, 2003, all of the claims were dismissed by the court. Sogecable filed a second amended complaint. NDS filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint on March 31, 2004. On August 4, 2004, the court issued an order dismissing the second amended complaint in its entirety. Sogecable had until October 4, 2004 to file a third amended complaint. On October 1, 2004, Sogecable notified the court that it would not be filing a third amended complaint, but would appeal the court’s entry of final judgment dismissing the suit to the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On December 14, 2006, the appellate court issued a memorandum decision reversing the district court’s dismissal. On January 26, 2007, NDS filed its petition for rehearing by an en banc panel of the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Intermix

FIM Transaction

On August 26, 2005 and August 30, 2005, two purported class action lawsuits captioned, respectively, Ron Sheppard v. Richard Rosenblatt et. al., and John Friedmann v. Intermix Media, Inc. et al., were filed in the California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles. Both lawsuits named as defendants all of the then incumbent members of the Intermix Board, including Mr. Rosenblatt, Intermix’s former Chief Executive Officer, and certain entities affiliated with VantagePoint Venture Partners, a former major Intermix stockholder. The complaints alleged that, in pursuing the transaction whereby Intermix was to be acquired by FIM (the “FIM Transaction”) and approving the related merger agreement, the director defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Intermix stockholders by, among other things, engaging in self-dealing and failing to obtain the highest price reasonably available for Intermix and its stockholders. The complaints further alleged that the merger agreement resulted from a flawed process and that the defendants tailored the terms of the merger to advance their own interests. The FIM Transaction was consummated on September 30, 2005. The Friedmann and Sheppard lawsuits were subsequently consolidated and, on January 17, 2006, a consolidated amended complaint was filed (the “Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation”). The plaintiffs in the consolidated action are seeking various forms of declaratory relief, damages, disgorgement and fees and costs. On March 20, 2006, the court ordered that substantially identical claims asserted in a separate state action filed by Brad Greenspan, captioned Greenspan v. Intermix Media, Inc., et al., be severed and related to the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation. The defendants filed demurrers seeking dismissal of all claims in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation and the severed Greenspan claims, which were heard by the Court on July 6, 2006. On October 6, 2006, the Court sustained the demurrers without leave to amend. The plaintiffs in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation and the Greenspan case have indicated that they will appeal the dismissal of their claims.

In November 2005, plaintiff in a derivative action captioned LeBoyer v. Greenspan et al. pending against various former Intermix directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, filed a First Amended Class and Derivative Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”). The original derivative action was filed in May 2003 and arose out of Intermix’s restatement of quarterly financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. The plaintiff asserted breach of fiduciary duty and related claims in connection with the restatement. Until the filing of the Amended Complaint, the action had been stayed by mutual agreement of the parties since its inception pending determination of whether plaintiffs in a related securities class action lawsuit (the “Securities Litigation”) would be able to state a claim against the defendants. The Securities Litigation was dismissed pursuant to a class settlement in September 2005. In addition, a substantially similar derivative action filed in Los Angeles Superior Court was dismissed based on inability of the plaintiffs to adequately plead demand futility. Plaintiff LeBoyer’s November 2005 Amended Complaint

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added various allegations and purported class claims arising out of the FIM Transaction which are substantially

similar to those asserted in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation. The Amended Complaint also adds as defendants the individuals and entities named in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation that were not already defendants in the matter. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages, disgorgement, costs and fees. Intermix believes that the plaintiff lacks standing to pursue any claims in a derivative capacity and that the lawsuit is generally without merit. Intermix intends to vigorously defend itself, and expects that the individual defendants will vigorously defend themselves in the matter. On July 14, 2006, the parties filed their briefing on defendants’ motion to dismiss and stay the matter. On October 16, 2006, the court dismissed the fourth through seventh claims for relief, which related to the 2003 restatement, finding that the plaintiff is precluded from relitigating demand futility. At the same time, the court asked for further briefing regarding the standing issues and the effect of the judge’s dismissal of the claims in the Greenspan case and the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation on the remaining claims, which include two direct class action claims related to alleged breaches of fiduciary duty leading up to the FIM Transaction and a third claim under Section 14a of the Exchange Act asserted as a derivative claim and alleging material misstatements and omission in the FIM Transaction proxy statement. The parties filed the requested additional briefing in which the defendants requested that the court stay the federal court proceedings pending the resolution of any appeal in the in the Greenspan case and the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation. The court vacated the scheduled November 27, 2006 hearing with respect to this briefing and took the matter under submission. No ruling has been received yet.

On June 14, 2006, a purported class action lawsuit, captioned Jim Brown v. Brett C. Brewer, et al., was filed against certain former Intermix directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff asserts claims for alleged violations of Section 14a of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9, as well as control person liability under Section 20a. The plaintiff alleges that certain defendants disseminated false and misleading definitive proxy statements on two occasions: one on December 30, 2003 in connection with the shareholder vote on January 29, 2004 on the election of directors and ratification of financing transactions with certain entities of VantagePoint Venture Partners (“VantagePoint”), a former large stockholder of Intermix, and another on August 25, 2005 in connection with the shareholder vote on the FIM Transaction. The complaint names as defendants certain Vantage Point related entities and the members of the Intermix Board who were incumbent on the dates of the respective proxy statements. Intermix is not named as a defendant, but has certain indemnity obligations to the former officer and director defendants in connection with these claims and allegations. Intermix believes that the claims are without merit and expects that the individual defendants will vigorously defend themselves in the matter. On August 25, 2006, plaintiff amended his complaint to add certain investment banks (the “Investment Banks”) as defendants. Intermix has certain indemnity obligations to the Investment Banks as well. After conferring with defendants concerning deficiencies in the amended complaint pursuant to local rule and entering a stipulation with defendants regarding a briefing schedule, plaintiff amended his complaint again on September 27, 2006. On October 19, 2006, defendants filed motions to dismiss all claims in the Second Amended Complaint. These motions will be heard on February 12, 2007. Intermix believes that the claims are without merit and expects the individual defendants will vigorously defend themselves in the matter.

Greenspan Litigation

On February 10, 2005, Brad Greenspan, Intermix’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer who was asked to resign as CEO and was removed as Chairman in the fall of 2003, filed a derivative complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court against Intermix, various of its former directors and officers, VantagePoint and certain of VantagePoint’s principals and affiliates. The complaint alleged claims of libel and fraud against Intermix and various of its then current and former officers and directors, claims of intentional interference with contract and

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Note 11—Contingencies (continued)

prospective economic advantage, unfair competition and fraud against VantagePoint and certain of its affiliates

and principals and claims alleging that Intermix’s forecasts of profitability leading up to its January 2004 annual stockholder meeting and associated proxy contest waged by Mr. Greenspan were false and misleading. These claims generally related to Intermix’s decision to consummate its Series C Preferred Stock financing with VantagePoint in October 2003, Mr. Greenspan’s contemporaneous separation from Intermix and matters arising during the proxy contest. The complaint also alleged that Intermix’s acquisition of the assets of a company known as Supernation LLC (“Supernation”) in July 2004 involved breaches of fiduciary duty. Mr. Greenspan sought remittance of compensation received by the various then current and former Intermix director and officer defendants, unspecified damages, removal of various Intermix directors, disgorgement of unspecified profits, reformation of the Supernation purchase, punitive damages, fees and costs, injunctive relief and other remedies. Intermix and the other defendants filed motions challenging the validity of the action and Mr. Greenspan’s ability to pursue it. Mr. Greenspan voluntarily dismissed this action in October 2005.

Prior to dismissing his derivative lawsuit, in August 2005, Mr. Greenspan filed another complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court against the same defendants. The complaint, for breach of fiduciary duty, included substantially the same allegations made by Mr. Greenspan in the above-referenced lawsuit. Mr. Greenspan further alleged that defendants’ actions have, with the FIM Transaction, culminated in the loss of Mr. Greenspan’s interest in Intermix for a cash payment allegedly below its value. On October 31, 2005, the defendants filed motions seeking dismissal of the lawsuit on the grounds that the complaint fails to state any cause of action. Instead of responding to these motions, Mr. Greenspan filed an amended complaint on February 21, 2006, in which Mr. Greenspan omitted certain previously named defendants and added two other former directors as defendants. In this amended complaint, Mr. Greenspan asserts seven causes of action. The first two causes of action, for intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and violation of California’s Business & Professions Code section 17200, generally related to Intermix’s decision to consummate its Series C Preferred Stock financing with VantagePoint in October 2003 and allege that Mr. Greenspan was “forced” to resign. The third through sixth causes of action assert various claims for breach of fiduciary duty related to the FIM Transaction and substantially mirror the allegations in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation. By Order of March 20, 2006, the court ordered that Mr. Greenspan’s claims based on the FIM Transaction be severed from the rest of his complaint and coordinated with the claims asserted in the Intermix Media Shareholder Litigation. The seventh cause of action is asserted against Intermix for indemnification. In his amended complaint, Mr. Greenspan seeks compensatory and consequential damages, punitive damages, fees and costs, injunctive relief and other remedies. Motions to dismiss the first six causes of action were filed and, on October 6, 2006, granted without leave to amend. On November 21, 2006, Mr. Greenspan dismissed with prejudice the seventh cause of action for indemnity, which was the only remaining claim and his sole cause of action against Intermix.

News America Marketing

On January 18, 2006, Valassis Communications, Inc. (“Valassis”) filed a complaint against News America Incorporated, News America Marketing FSI, Inc. and News America Marketing Services, In-Store, Inc. (collectively “News America”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Valassis alleges that News America possesses monopoly power in a claimed in-store advertising and promotions market (the “in-store market”) and has used that power to gain an unfair advantage over Valassis in a purported market for coupons distributed by free standing inserts (“FSIs”). Valassis alleges that News America has entrenched its monopoly power in the alleged in-store market by entering into exclusive contracts with retailers. Valassis further alleges that News America has unlawfully bundled the sale of in-store marketing products with the sale of FSIs and that such bundling constitutes unlawful tying in violation of Sections 1 and 3 of the Sherman Antitrust

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Act of 1890, as amended (the “Sherman Act”). Valassis also asserts that News America has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act, various state antitrust statutes and has tortiously interfered with Valassis’ actual or expected business relationships. Valassis’ complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, fees and costs. On April 20, 2006, News America moved to dismiss Valassis’ complaint in its entirety for failure to state a cause of action. On September 28, 2006, the Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation granting the motion. On October 16, 2006, Valassis filed an Amended Complaint, alleging the same causes of action. Pursuant to agreement among the parties, discovery has not yet commenced. News America has answered the federal claims and moved to dismiss the state claims. The court has not yet ruled on the motion.

Other

The Company is party to several purchase and sale arrangements which become exercisable over the next ten years by the Company or the counter-party to the agreement. Total contingent receipts/payments under these agreements (including cash and stock) have not been included in the Company’s financial statements. In the next twelve months, none of these arrangements that become exercisable are material.

The Company experiences routine litigation in the normal course of its business. The Company believes that none of its pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity.

The Company’s operations are subject to tax in various domestic and international jurisdictions and as a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The Company believes it has appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of all pending tax matters and does not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of pending tax matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, future results of operations or liquidity.

Note 12—Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company sponsors non-contributory pension plans and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans covering specific groups of employees. The benefits payable for the non-contributory pension plans are based primarily on a formula factoring both an employee’s years of service and pay near retirement. Participant employees are vested in the plans after five years of service. The Company’s policy for all pension plans is to fund amounts, at a minimum, in accordance with statutory requirements. During the six months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company made discretionary contributions of $18 million and $59 million, respectively, to its pension plans. Plan assets consist principally of common stocks, marketable bonds and government securities. The retiree health and life insurance benefit plans offer medical and/or life insurance to certain full-time employees and eligible dependents that retire after fulfilling age and service requirements.

The components of net periodic benefit costs were as follows:

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Note 12—Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits (continued)

Note 13—Other, net

Other, net consisted of the following:

Note 14—Segment Information

The Company is a diversified entertainment company, which manages and reports its businesses in eight segments:

Filmed Entertainment, which principally consists of the production and acquisition of live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in all formats in all entertainment media worldwide, and the production of original television programming in the United States and Canada.

Television, which principally consists of the operation of 35 full power broadcast television stations, including nine duopolies, in the United States (Of these stations, 25 are affiliated with the FOX network and ten are affiliated with the MyNetworkTV network. Prior to September 2006, nine of the MyNetworkTV stations were affiliated with the UPN network and one was an independent station.), the broadcasting of network programming in the United States and the development, production and broadcasting of television programming in Asia.

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Note 14—Segment Information (continued)

Cable Network Programming, which principally consists of the licensing and production of programming distributed through cable television systems and DBS operators primarily in the United States.

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television, which principally consists of the distribution of premium programming services via satellite directly to subscribers in Italy.

Magazines and Inserts, which principally consists of the publication of free standing inserts, which are promotional booklets containing consumer offers distributed through insertion in local Sunday newspapers in the United States and the provision of in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers in the United States and Canada.

Newspapers, which principally consists of the publication of four national newspapers in the United Kingdom, the publication of more than 110 newspapers in Australia and the publication of a mass circulation, metropolitan morning newspaper in the United States.

Book Publishing, which principally consists of the publication of English language books throughout the world.

Other, which includes: NDS Group plc, a company engaged in the business of supplying open end-to-end digital technology and services to digital pay-television platform operators and content providers; News Outdoor, an advertising business which offers display advertising in outdoor locations primarily throughout Russia and Eastern Europe; FIM, which operates the Company’s Internet activities; and Global Cricket Corporation, which has the exclusive rights to broadcast the Cricket World Cup and other related events through 2007.

The Company’s operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities. The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measures are segment operating income (loss) and Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization.

Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, defined as operating income (loss) 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. Depreciation and amortization expense includes the depreciation of property and equipment, as well as amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Amortization of cable distribution investments represents a reduction against revenues over the term of a carriage arrangement and, as such, it is excluded from Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization is a non-GAAP measure and it should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization does not reflect cash available to fund requirements, and the items excluded from Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, such as depreciation and amortization, are significant components in assessing the Company’s financial performance.

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Note 14—Segment Information (continued)

Management believes that Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s business segments. Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization provides management, investors and equity analysts a measure to analyze operating performance of each business segment and enterprise value against historical and competitors’ data, although historical results, including Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, may not be indicative of future results (as operating performance is highly contingent on many factors, including customer tastes and preferences).