‘Naivety is not in our nature’: News Corp mulls Foxtel’s future Media Man Int

‘Naivety is not in our nature’: News Corp mulls Foxtel’s future - 5th November 2021

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News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson says the company is undergoing a review of Foxtel. CREDIT: AP

By Zoe Samios

News Corporation boss Robert Thomson has signalled the Rupert Murdoch-controlled media giant is edging closer to a float of Foxtel, attributing a rise in first-quarter profits to the pay TV company and Dow Jones.

Mr Thomson would not confirm whether an initial public listing was on the cards for Foxtel, which runs streaming services Kayo Sports, Binge and Flash, but said the company was focused on delivering maximum value to its shareholders - News Corp and Telstra. He confirmed a strategic review of the business was underway.

“It’s inappropriate at this moment to discuss specifics in the review, but clearly we and our partners at Telstra recognise that the prospects of Foxtel have changed fundamentally and that we have a streaming success story,” Mr Thomson said. “Whatever we do, we will not be naive - naivety is not in our nature.”

The Rupert Murdoch-controlled media company said its subscription services segment - which includes Foxtel - reported a 46 per cent jump in earnings [before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation] for the September quarter, due to a $US34 million ($45 million) reduction in sports programming and production costs. Foxtel’s streaming products Kayo Sports, Binge and Foxtel Now have about 2.1 million paid subscribers.

“We are primed to capitalise on the patent success of the Foxtel streaming strategy, which was highlighted during the Foxtel Strategy Day, and are reviewing potential permutations to maximise shareholder value and growth,” Mr Thomson said. “We are obviously now in a position to be even more ambitious for Foxtel and are always seeking to maximise its undoubted potential.”

Foxtel’s total closing paid subscribers were around 3.9 million as of September 30. About 1.8 million were residential and commercial broadcast subscribers, while 2.1 million consisted of Kayo, Binge and Foxtel Now subscribers.

Kayo Sports paying subscribers grew by 6000 from last quarter to 1.06 million and Binge subscribers grew to 885,000 from 733,000 in the previous quarter. Residential subscribers have from 1.9 million at June 30 to 1.77 million. Foxtel Group’s streaming revenues make up 19 per cent of total subscription revenues in the quarter, which increased $US14 million due to currency foreign fluctuations. Adjusted revenue was flat year-on-year.

News Corp and Telstra, which jointly own Foxtel, have been weighing up the prospect of a public float of Foxtel for months. The company now runs three streaming services – Kayo Sports, Binge and Flash – and earlier this month flagged plans to sell smart televisions under a new agreement with Comcast-owned Sky. It also recently hired a new chief financial officer, Stuart Hutton., who was behind the de-merger of manufacturing company Orora from Amcor in 2013. Foxtel has also tapped former Hulu boss Randy Freer, who has ties to the Murdoch family and Hollywood, as a consultant.

But Foxtel still has its challenges. Residential and commercial subscribers continue to decline, and as of June 30, it still had $1.9 billion in debt owed to credit facilities and its shareholders.

News Corp revenue grew 18 per cent to $US2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) in the first quarter, while net income grew from $US47 million to $US267 million. EBITDA was $US410 million, up from $US268 million the year prior, driven by higher revenues, lower costs at Foxtel and a $US11 million positive impact from foreign currency fluctuations.

The growth was also helped by Dow Jones, which grew revenue and profit to its highest point since it was acquired by News Corp.

(The Sydney Morning Herald)