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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Prospective investors should consider carefully the risk factors set forth below before making an investment in the Company's securities.
Risks Related to Macroeconomic Conditions, Our Business and Our Industry
Changes in consumer behavior and evolving technologies and distribution platforms macontinue to challenge existing business models and may adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition andor results of operations.
The ways in which consumers view content and technology and business models in our industry continue to rapidly evolve and new distribution platforms and increased competition from new entrants and emerging technologies have added to the complexity of maintaining predictable revenue streams. Technological advancements have driven changes in consumer behavior as consumers seeknow have more control over when, where and how they consume content and have affecteincreased advertisers' options for reaching their target audiences. Consumer preferences have evolved towards SVOD and AVOD services and other direct-to-consumer offerings, and there has been a substantial increase in the availability of content with reduced advertising or without advertising at all. As consumers switch to digital consumption of video content, there is still to be developed a consistent, broadly accepted measure of multiplatform audiences across the industry. In addition, consumers ar the increasingly usinge of time-shifting and advertising-skipping technologies such as DVRs that enable themviewers to fast-forward or circumvent advertisements. Substantial use of these technologies could i impacts the attractiveness of the Company's programming to advertisers and may adversely affect our advertising revenues.
Changes in consumer behavior and technology have also had an adverse impact on MVPDs that deliver the Company's broadcast and cable networks to consumers. Consumers are increasingly turning to lower-cost alternatives, including direct-to-consumer offerings, which has contributed to industry-wide declines in subscribers to MVPD services over the last several years. These declines are expected to continue and possibly accelerate in the future. If consumers increasingly favor alternative offerings over MVPD subscriptions, the Company may continue to experience a decline in viewership and ultimately demand for the programming on its networks, which could lead to lower affiliate fee and advertising revenues. Changing distribution models may also negatively impact the Company's ability to negotiate affiliation agreements on favorable terms, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our affiliate fee and advertising revenues also may be adversely affected by consumers' use of antennas (and their integration with set-top boxes or other consumer devices) to access broadcast signals to avoid subscriptions.
To remain competitive in this evolving environment, the Company must effectively anticipate and adapt to new market changes. The Company continues to focus on einvesting in and expanding its digital distribution offerings and direct engagement with consumers, including through TUBIubi, FOX Nation, FOX Weather and other offerings. However, if the Company fails to protect and exploit the value of its content while responding to, and developing new technology and business models to take advantage of, technological developments and consumer preferences, it could have a significant adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition andor results of operations.
Declines in advertising expenditures could cause the Company's revenues and operating results to decline significantly in any given period or in specific markets.
The Company derives substantial revenues from the sale of advertising, and its ability to generate advertising revenues depends on a number of factors. The strength of the advertising market can fluctuate in response to the economic prospects of specific advertisers or industries, advertisers' spending priorities and the economy in general or the economy of an individual geographic market. In addition, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) and other widespread health emergencies, natural and other disasters, acts of terrorism, wars, and political uncertainties and hostilities can also lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of economic uncertainty, disruptedions in programming and services or r(in particular live event programming) or reduced advertising spots due to pre-emptions. As described below, For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused ssome of the Company's advertisers to reduced their spending in recent years, which has had a negative impact on the Companys advertising revenues, and similar events that adversely affect the Company's advertising revenues.
could occur again in the future.
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Major sports events, such as the NFL's Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup and the state, congressional and presidential election cycles also may cause the Company's advertising revenues to vary substantially from year to year. Political advertising expenditures are impacted by the ability and willingness of candidates and
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political action campaigns to raise and spend funds on advertising and the competitive nature of the elections affecting viewers in markets featuring our programming.
Advertising expenditures may also be affected by changes in consumer behavior and evolving technologies and platforms. There is increasing competition for the leisure time of audiences and demand for the Company's programming as measured by ratings points is a key factor in determining the advertising rates as well as the affiliate rates the Company receives. In addition, as described above, newer technologies and platforms are increasing the number of media and entertainment choices available to audiences. Some of these technologies and platforms allow users to , changing the ways view programming from a remote location or on a time-delayed basis aers enjoy content and provide users the ability to fast-forward, rewind, pause and skip programming anenabling them to avoid advertisements, which. These changes could negatively affect the attractiveness of the Company's offerings to advertisers. The pricing and volume of advertising may also be affected by shifts in spending toaway from traditional media and toward digital and mobile offerings, which can deliver targeted advertising more promptly, from traditional media, or or toward newer ways of purchasing advertising such as through automated purchasing, dynamic advertising insertion, and third parties selling local advertising spots and advertising exchanges, some or all of which. These new methods may not be as beneficial to the Company as traditional advertising methods. The Company also generates advertising revenues through its TUBIubi AVOD service. The market for AVOD advertising campaigns is relatively new and evolving and if this market develops slower or differently than we expect, it could adversely affect our advertising revenues. Declines in advertising revenues may also be caused by regulatory intervention or other third-party action that impacts where and when advertising may be placed.
Advertising sales also largely depend on audience measurement and could be negatively affected if measurement methodologies do not accurately reflect actual viewership levels. Although Nielsen's statistical sampling method is the primary measurement methodology used for our linear television advertising sales, we measure and monetize our digital platforms based on a combination of internal and third-party data, including demographic composite estimates. A consistent, broadly accepted measure of multiplatform audiences across the industry remains to be developed. Although we expect multiplatform measurement innovation and standards to benefit us as the video advertising market continues to evolve, we are still partially dependent on third parties to provide these solutions.
A decrease in advertising expenditures, reduced demand for the Company's programming or the inability to obtain market ratings that adequately measure demand for the Company's content on all platforms could lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising spending, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
Because the Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of distributors, the failure to enter into or renew affiliation and carriage agreements on favorable terms, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company depends on affiliation and carriage arrangements that enable it to reach a large percentage of households through MVPDs and third party-owned television stations. The inability to enter into or renew MVPD arrangements on favorable terms, or at all, or the loss of carriage on MVPDs' basic programming tiers could reduce the distribution of the Company's owned and operated television stations and broadcast and cable networks, which could adversely affect the Company's revenues from affiliate fees and its ability to sell national and local advertising time. The loss of favorable MVPD packaging, positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities could also negatively impact the Company's revenues from affiliate fees. These risks are exacerbated by consolidation among traditional MVPDs, their increased vertical integration into the cable or broadcast network business and their use of alternative technologies to offer their subscribers access to local broadcast network programming, which have provided traditional MVPDs with greater negotiating leverage. Competitive pressures faced by MVPDs, particularly in light of the lowevolving consumer retail prices of viewing patterns and distreaming serviceibution models, could adversely affect the terms of our contract renewals with MVPDs. In addition, if the Company and an MVPD reach an impasse in contract renewal negotiations, the Company's networks and owned and operated television stations could become unavailable to the MVPD's subscribers (i.e., "go dark"), which, depending on the length of time and the size of the MVPD, could have a negative impact on the Company's revenues from affiliate fees and advertising.
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The Company also depends on the maintenance of affiliation agreements and license agreements with third party-owned television stations to distribute the FOX Network and MyNetworkTV in markets where the Company does not own television stations. Consolidation among television station group owners could increase their negotiating leverage and reduce the number of available distribution partners. There can be no assurance that these affiliation and license agreements will be renewed in the future on terms favorable to the Company, or at all. The inability to enter into affiliation or licensing arrangements with third-party owned television stations on favorable terms could reduce distribution of the FOX Network and MyNetworkTV and the inability to enter into such affiliation or licensing arrangements for the FOX Network on favorable terms could adversely affect the Company's affiliate fee revenues and its ability to sell national advertising time.
In addition, the Company has arrangements through which it makes its content available for viewing through third-party online video platforms. If these arrangements are not renewed on favorable or commercially reasonable terms or at all, it could adversely affect the Company's revenues and oresults of operating resultsons.
If the number of subscribers to MVPD services continues to decline or such declines accelerate, the Company's affiliate fee and advertising revenues could be negatively affected.
As described above, changes in technology and consumer behavior have contributed to industry-wide declines in the number of subscribers to MVPD services, which have had a negative impact on the number of subscribers to the Company's networks. These industry-wide subscriber declines are expected to continue and possibly accelerate in the future. The majority of the Company's affiliation agreements with MVPDs are multi-year contracts that provide for payments to the Company that are based in part on the number of MVPD subscribers covered by the agreement. If declines in the number of MVPD subscribers are not fully offset by affiliate rate increases, the Company's affiliate fee revenues will be negatively affected. Because MVPD subscriber losses could also decrease the potential audience for the Company's networks, which is a critical factor affecting both the pricing and volume of advertising, future MVPD subscriber declines could also adversely impact the Company's advertising revenues.
The Company is exposed to risks associated with weak economic conditions (including the current inflationary environment) an and increased volatility and disruption in the financial markets.
The U.S. Prevailing economy has experienced a period of weakness due to, among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had ic conditions and may continue to have an adverse impact on the state of the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Factors that amarkets affect economic conditions include inflation, global supply chain disruptions, the rate various aspects of unemployment, the level of consumer confidence, changes in consumer spending habits, political and sociopolitical uncertainties and conflicts, and potour business. In recential changes in trade relationships between years, the U.S. and other countries. The Company also faces risks associateconomy has experienced with the impacta period of weak economic conditions on advertisers, affiliates, suppliers, wholesale distributors, retailers, insurers and others with which it does business.
Increasedness and the financial markets have experienced significant volatility and disruptions in the financial markets could make it more difficult or expensive fors a result of the ComOVID-19 pany to refinance outstanddemic, declining indebtedness and obtain new financing. The financial markets can experience high levels of volateconomic growth, diminished availability and access to capital can be constrained for extended periods of time, and we cannot guarantee that the Company will be able to refinance outstanof credit, declines in consumer confidence, concerns regarding indebtedness or obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to the Company or at all. In addition, the Company's access to ahigh inflation, uncertainty about economic stability and cost of borrowing can be affected by the Company's short-term and long-term debt ratings assigned by ratings agencies. If we are not successful in obtaining financing or incur significantly higher borrowing costspolitical and sociopolitical uncertainties and conflicts. Additional factors than contemplated, it may t have a material adverse effect on our business, financialffected economic condition or results of operations.
Disruptions ins and the financial markets can also adversely affect the Company's lenders, insurerinclude higher interest rates, global supply chain disruptions, customers and counterpartiunemployment rates, including vendors, retailers and othchanges in consumer partners. For instance, the inspending hability of the Company's counterparties to obtain capital on acceptable terms could impair their ability to perform under their agreements with the Companyts and potential changes in trade relationships between the U.S. and lead to negative effects on the Company, including business disrupother countries. Weak economic conditions, decreased revenues and increases in bad debt expenses.
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The COVID-19 pande have had and mic and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics could materiallyay continue to have an adversely affe impact on the Company's business, financial condition orand results of operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has result For example, reduced in widespread and continuadvertising negative impacts on the macroeconomic environment and disruptionexpenditures due to the Company's business. COVID-19 had a signifi a weak economy cant negatively impact on the Company'sur advertisers' spending in fiscal 2020, which hrevenues, as lessened in subsequent years; however, future declines in the economic prospectdescribed above, and increasing inflation raises of advertisers or the economy in general could further negur labor and other costs required to operate our business. Increased volatively impact their advertising expenditurelity and weakness in the future. Although inancial markets, the furthe Company has not experienced meanr tighteningful subscriber declines due to the pandemic, a worsening of the pandemic could cause industry-wide changes of credit markets or a decrease in consumer behavior, suchour debt ratings as increasing numbers of consumers cancelsigned by rating or foregoing subscriptions to MVPD services, which cs agencies could adversely affect the Company's future affour abiliate fee and advertisity to cost-effectively refinance outstanding revenues.indebtedness or obtain new financing.
The Company's business depends on also faces risks associated with the volume and popularityimpact of the content it distributes. Particularly in fiscal 2020weak economic conditions and fiscal 2021, COVID-19 caused cancelladisruptions and postponemen in the financial markets of live sports events ton third parties with which the Company had broadcast rights and suspensions of the production of certain entertainment content. These content disruptionsdoes business, including adversely affected the Company's advertising andtisers, affiliate revenues and operating expenses. If there are similares, suppliers, wholesale disruptions in the future, there could be additional advtributors, retailers, lenderse impacts on such re, insurers, venues or operating expenses. In addition, a significant decline in the Company's estimated revenues or dors, retailers, banks and othe expected popularity of its programming could lead to a downward revision inrs. For instance, the valueinability of, among o ther things, the Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets, programming rights and long-lived assets and result in a non-cashcounterparties to obtain capital on acceptable terms could impairment charge that is material their ability to the Company's reported net earnings.
The magnitude of the continuing impact of COVID-19 and iperform under their agreements variants remains uncertain and subjectwith the Company and lead to change and will depend on evolving factorsnegative effects on the Company may be unable to control or accurately predict. These include the dura, including business disruption and scope of the pandemic; the duration and extent of its impact on global and regional economies and economic activity; the effect of governmental actions; the impact of the pandemic ons, decreased revenues and increases in bad debt expenses.
There can be no assurance the health,at further well-beakening and productivity of the Company's employees and the Company's ab of economic conditions or volatility to conduct its operaor disruptions; and potent in the financial changes in consumer behaviomarkets will not occur. The COVID-19 pandemic and oIf ther widespread health emergencies or pandemicsy do, it could have a material adverse effeimpact on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
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The Company's businesses operates in a highly competitive industry.
The Company competes with other companies for high-quality content to reach large audiences and to generate advertising revenue. The Company also competes for distriadvertisers' expenditures and distribution on MVPDs and other third-party digital platforms. The Company's ability to attract viewers and advertisers and obtain favorable distribution depends in part on its ability to provide popular programming and adapt to new technologies and distribution platforms, which are increasing the number of content choices available to audiences. The cConsolidation of advertising agencies, distribuamong our competitors and other industry participants has increased, and may continue to do so, further intensifying competitive pressures. Our competitors and television service providers also has increased include companies with interests in multiple media businesses that are often vertically integrated, as well as companies in adjacent sectors with significant financial, marketing and otheir negotiating leverager resources, greater efficiencies of scale, fewer regulatory burdens and madore competition for audiencve pricing. These competitors could also have preferential access to important technologies, advertising revenue, and distribusuch as those that use artificial intelligence or competitive information, including customer data. Our competitors may also enter into business combination more intense. s or partnerships that strengthen their competitive position.
Competition for audiences and/or advertising comes from a variety of sources, including broadcast television networks; cable television systems and networks; direct-to-consumer live streaming and on-demand platforms, SVOD and AVOD services and; mobile, gaming and social media platforms; audio programming; and print and other media. Other television stations or cable networks may change their formats or programming, a new station or new network may adopt a format to compete directly with the Company's stations or networks, or stations or networks might engage in aggressive promotional campaigns. In addition, some competitors that operate an increasing number of SVOD services have introduced or are planning to introduce adwith advertising-supported offerings that may increasetensify competition for audiences and/or advertising. Increased competition in the acquisition of programming may also affect the scope of rights we are able to acquire and the cost of such rights, and the future value of the rights we acquire or retain cannot be predicted with certainty. Entering into or renewing contracts for programming rights or acquiring additional rights may result in increased
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully in the future against existing or potential costs tompetitors or the Cat company. With respect to long-term contracts for sports programming rights, ouetition in the marketplace will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations and cash flows over.
Acceptance of the term of aCompany's contract depend on a number of factors, including the strength of theent by the public is difficult to predict, which could lead to fluctuations in or advertisse impacts on revenues.
Programming market, our audiencedistribution is a speculative business size,nce the ability to securerevenues derived from the distribution from aof content depend impose surcharges or obtain carriagprimarily on its acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. Low public acceptance on MVPDs forf the Company's content, and t will adversely affect the timing and amountCompany's results of operations. The commercial success of our rights payments. There can be no assurprogramming also depends on the quality and acceptance that revenu of other competing programming, the growing number of alternative from acquired rights contracts will exceed ourorms of entertainment and leisure activities, general economic conditions and their effects on costs fonsumer spending and other the rightangible and intangible factors, as well as the other costsll of which can change and cannot be predicted with certainty. Moreover, we must of producing and distributing the ten invest substantial amounts in programming. There can be no assurance tha and the acquisition of sports rights before we learn the extent the Companyo which the content will be able to earn consumer acceptance and, as described below, compete successfulition for popular content, particularly in the future against exissports and entertainment programming, is intense. A decline in the ratings or potential competitors orpularity of that ce Competitionany's entertainment, news or consolidation insports programming or the marketplace will not have a materialCompany's failure to obtain or retain rights to popular content could adverse ely affect on its business, financial condition or resulthe Company's advertising revenues in the near term and, over a longer period of time, its of operationaffiliate fee revenues.
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Our business is dependents on the popularity of special sports events and the continued popularity of the sports leagues and teams for which we have programming rights.
Our sports business depends on the popularity and success of the sports franchises, leagues and teams for which we have acquired broadcast and cable network programming rights. If a sports league declines in popularity or fails to generate fan enthusiasm, this may negatively impact viewership and advertising and affiliate fee revenues received in connection with our sports programming. Our operating results may be impacted in part by special events, such as the NFL's Super Bowl, which is broadcast on the FOX Network on a rotating basis with other networks, the MLB's World Series and the FIFA World Cup, which occurs every four years (for each of women and men), and other regular and post-season sports events delivered to consumersthat air on our broadcast television and cable networks. Our advertising and affiliate fee revenues are subject to fluctuations based on the dates of sports events and their availability for viewing throughon our broadcast television and cable networks and the popularity of the competing teams. For example, any decrease in the number of post-season games played in a
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sports league for which we have acquired broadcast programming rights, or the participation of a smaller-market sports franchise in post-season competition could result in lower advertising revenues for the Company. There can be no assurance that any sports league will continue to generate fan enthusiasm or provide the expected number of regular and post-season games for advertisers and customers, and the failure to do so could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition andor results of operations. Additionally, increased competition for the sale of In prior years, a significant number of live sports event advertising time with other television networks, stations and other advertising platforms, such as digital media, audio s were cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pand print, mayemic, which adversely affect the Company'sed our revenues and o results of operating resultsons. A shortfall in the expected popularity of the sports events for which the Company has acquired rights, or in the volume of sports programming the Company expects to distribute, could adversely affect the Company's advertising revenues in the near term and, over a longer period of time, adversely affectits affiliate fee revenues.
The inability to renew programming rights, particularly sports programming rights, on sufficiently favorable terms, or at all, could cause the Company's advertising and affiliate fee revenues to decline significantly in any given period or in specific markets.
We enter into long-term contracts for both the acquisition and the distribution of media programming and products, including contracts for the acquisition of programming rights for sports events and other programscontent, and contracts for the distribution of our programming to content distributors. Programming rights agreements, retransmission consent agreements, carriage contracts and affiliation agreements have varying durations and renewal terms that are subject to negotiation with other parties, the outcome of which is unpredictable. In addition, competiThe negotiation for popularof programming rights, and sports agreements for popular licensed programming rights in partic, and popular, that are licensed from thirdsports programming in partiescular, is intense, andcomplicated by the licintenses have varying duraity of competition and renewal termfor these rights. Moreover, the value of these agreements may also bebe negatively affected by various league decisions and/orfactors outside of our control, such as league agreements that we may not be able to control, including a and decisions to alter the number, frequency and timing of regular and post-season games played during a season. As these contracts We may be unable to renew expire, we may seek renewalisting, or enter into new, programming rights agreements on terms that are favorable terms; however, o us and we may be outbid by third parties may outbid us forand therefore unable to obtain the rights contractsat all. The loss of rights or renewal on less favorable terms could inegatively impact the quality or quantity of the Company's our programsming, in particular theour sports coverage offered by the Company, its cable networks, broadcast stations and affiliates to the FOX Networkprogramming, and could adversely affect the Company'sour advertising and affiliate fee revenues. Upon renewal, the Company'sThese resultvenues could be adversely affected if escalations in programming rights costs are unmatched by increases in advertising and affiliate fee revenues. In addition, also be negatively impacted if the Companywe does not obtain exclusive rights to the programming itwe distributes, it could negatively impact the Company's advertising. Our results of operations and affiliate fee revenues.
Acceptance of the Company's content by cash flows over the public is difficult to predict, which could lead to fluctuations in revenues.
Television distribution is a speculative business since the revenues derived from the distribution of contentterm of a sports programming agreement depends primarily up on its acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. Low public acceptance ofa number of factors, including the Company's content will adversely affectstrength of the Company's results of operations. The commercial success ofadvertising market, our programming also depends uponaudience size, the qualitytiming and acceptancemount of other competing programming, the growing number of alternative forms of entertainur rights payments and leisure activities, general economic conditions and their effects on consumer spending and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which can change and cannot be predicted with certainty. Moreover, we must often invest substantial amounts in programming and the acquisitiour ability to secure distribution from and impose surcharges or obtain carriage on of sports rights beMVPDs fore we learn the extent to which the c content will earn consumer acceptance. Competition for popular content, particularly sports and entertainment. If escalations in programming, is intense, and the
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C rights costs (tompany may need to increase the price it pays fogether with our popular content rights. The Company's failure to obtain or retain rights to popular content, or a decline in the ratings or popularityroduction and distribution costs) are not of the Company's news, sports or entertainment television programming, which could be a result of the loss of talent or rights to certain programming, could adversely affect advertisingfset by increases in advertising and affiliate fee revenues in the near term and, over a longer period of time,, our results of operations could be adversely affect affiliate fee revenuested.
Damage to our brands, particularly the FOX brand, or our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition andor results of operations.
Our brands, particularly the FOX brand, are among our most valuable assets. We believe that our brand image, awareness and reputation strengthen our relationship with consumers and contribute significantly to the success of our business. Maintaining, further enhancing and extending our brands may require us to make significant investments in marketing, programming or new products, services or events. T, and these investments may not be successful. We may introduce new programming that is not popular with our consumers and advertisers, which may negatively affect our brands. To the extent our content, in particular our live news and sports programming and primetime entertainment programming, is not compelling to consumers, our ability to maintain a positive reputation may be adversely impacted. GThe Companys brands, credibility and reputation could be damaged by incidents that erode consumer, advertiser or business partner trust or a perception that the Companys offerings, including its journalism, programming and other content, are low quality, unreliable or fail to attract and retain audiences. Litigation, governmental scrutiny and fines and significant negative claims or publicity regarding the Company or its operations, content, products, management, employees, practices, advertisers, business partners and culture, including individuals associated with content we create or license, may damage the Company's reputation and brands, even if such claims aremeritless or untrue. Furthermore, to the extent our marketing, customer service and public relations efforts are not effective or result in negative consumer reaction, our ability to maintain a positive reputation may likewise be adversely impacted. If we are not successful in maintaining or enhancing the image or awareness of our brands, or if our reputation is harmed for any reason, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition andor results of operations.
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Our investments in new businesses, products, services and technologies through acquisitions and other strategic investments present many risks, and we may not realize the financial and strategic goals we had contemplated, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition andor results of operations.
We have acquired and invested in, and expect to continue acquiring and investing in, new businesses, products, services and technologies that complement, enhance or expand our current businesses or otherwise offer us growth opportunities. Such acquisitions and strategic investments may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including insufficient revenues from an investment to offset any new liabilities assumed and expenses associated with the investment; a failure of the investment or acquired business to perform as expected, meet financial projections or achieve strategic goals; a failure to further develop an acquired business, product, service or technology; unidentified issues not discovered in our due diligence that could cause us to not realize anticipated benefits or to incur unanticipated liabilities; difficulties in integrating the operations, personnel, technologies and systems of acquired businesses; the potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired businesses; the diversion of management attention from current operations; and compliance with new regulatory regimes. Because acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and their anticipated benefits or value may not materialize, our acquisitions and investments may adversely affect our business, financial condition andor results of operations.
The loss of key personnel, including talent, could disrupt the management or operations of the Company's business and adversely affect its revenues.
The Company's business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of its Chair K. Rupert Murdoch and Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer Lachlan K. Murdoch, and other key employees and news, sports and entertainment personalities. The Company Although we maintain long-term and emergency transition plans for key management personnel, we believes that the our executive officers unique combination of skills and experience possessed by its executive officers e would be difficult to replace and that theeir loss of its executive officers coss could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including the impairment of the Company'its ability to execute successfully execute its business strategy. Additionally, the Company employs or independently contracts with several news, sports and entertainment personalities with significant, loyal audienceho are featured on programming the Company offers. News, sports and entertainment personalities are sometimes have a significantly responsible for impact on the ranking of programming on a television station or a cable network and, therefore, a significant influence on the ability of the stator station or network to sell advertising. The Company's broadcast television station and its and cable networks
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debiliver programming with highly regarded on-air talent whty to are important to attttracting and retaining an audiences for the distributed news, sports and entertainment content and sell advertising. There can be no assurance that theseour news, sports and entertainment personalities will remain with us or retain their current appeal, or that the costs associated with retaining thiscurrent talent and nhiring new talent will be favorable or acceptable to us. If, or the Company fails to retain or attractat new talent will be as successful as these personalities and talent or they loseeir predecessors. Any of their current audiences or foregoing could advertising partners,sely affect the Company's business, financial condition andor results of operations could be adversely affected.
Labor disputes involving our own employees or those at businesses we depend on mmay disrupt our operations and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition andor results of operations.
In a variety of the Company's businesses, the Company and its partners engage the services of trade emwriters, directors, actors, musicians and other creative talent, production crew members, trade employees and others who se services are subject to collective bargaining agreements. ICertain of the Company or its partners are unable toese are industry-wide agreements, and the Company lacks practical influence with renew expiring spect to the negotiation and terms of collective bargaining agreements, t. The affected unions couwriters guild (WGA), screen actors guild take action in the form of(SAG-AFTRA) and directors guild (DGA) collective bargaining agreements expired in 2023. The WGA members went on strikes or work stoppages. Such ac in May 2023 and the SAG-AFTRA members went on strike in July 2023. In June 2023, the DGA announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with the Associations, as well as higher costs in of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which negotiates with the guilds on behalf of connection with thesetent producers. When negotiations to renew collective bargaining agreements or a significant labor dispute, could have an adverse effect oare not successful or become unproductive, strikes, work stoppages or lockouts have occurred, such as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in the Spring and Summer of 2023, and further strikes, work stoppages or lockouts could occur in the Company's business byfuture. Such events have caused, and may continue to causinge, delays in production or reducing profit margins. Moreover, the Company has certainand may lead to higher costs in connection with new collective bargaining agreements, which are industry-widcould reduce profit margins and could, over the long term, have agreements, andn adverse effect on the Company may lack practic's business, financial control over the negotiations and termdition or results of the agreements in dispute.operations.
In addition, our broadcast television and cable networks have programming rights agreements of varying scope and duration with various sports leagues to broadcast and produce sports events, including certain college football and basketball, NFL and MLB games. Any labor disputes that occur in any sports league for which we have the rights to broadcast live games or events may preclude us from airing or otherwise
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distributing scheduled games or events, resulting in decreased revenues, which could adversely affect our business, revenue andfinancial condition or results of operations.
The Company could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets and , programming and other assets and investments.
The Company performs an annual impairment assessment of its recorded goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including FCC licenses. The Company also continually evaluates whether current factors or indicators, such as the prevailing conditions in the capital markets, require the performance of an interim impairment assessment of those assets, as well as other investments and other long-lived assets. Any significant shortfall, now or in the future, in advertising revenue and/or the expected popularity of our programming could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of certain reporting units. A downward revision in the fair value of a reporting unit, indefinite-lived intangible assets, programming rights, investments or long-lived assets could result in a non-cash impairment charge. Any such charge could be material to the Company's reported net earnings.
Risks Relating to Cybersecurity, Piracy, Privacy and Data Protection
The degradation, failure or misuse of the Company's network and information systems and other technology could cause a disruption of services or improper disclosure of personal data or other confidential information, resulting in increased costs, liabilities or loss of revenue.
Cloud services, content delivery and other networks, information systems and other technologies that we or our vendors or other partners use, including technology systems used in connection with the production and distribution of our content (the "Systems"), are critical to our business activities, and shutdowns or disruptions of, and cybersecurity attacks on, the Systems pose increasing risks. Disruptions to the Systems, such as computer hacking and phishing, theft, computer viruses, ransomware, worms or other destructive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks or other malicious activities, as well as power outages, natural or other disasters (including extreme weather), terrorist activities or human error, may affect the Systems and could result in disruption of our services, misappropriation, misuse, alteration, theft, loss, leakage, falsification, and accidental or premature release or improper disclosure of confidential or other information, including intellectual property and personal data (of third parties, employees and users of our streaming services and other digital properties) contained on the Systems. The techniques used to access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and continue to become more sophisticated and targeted, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence may intensify cybersecurity risks. While we and our vendors and partners continue to develop, implement and maintain security measures seeking to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks, including unauthorized access to or misuse of the Systems, such efforts are
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costly, require ongoing monitoring and updating and may not be successful in preventing these events from occurring. In addition, the Company's recovery and business continuity plans may not be adequate to address any cybersecurity incidents that occur. The Company's high-profile sports and entertainment programming and its extensive news coverage of elections, sociopolitical events and public controversies subject us to heightened cybersecurity risks. Although no cybersecurity incident has been material to the Company's businesses to date, we expect to continue to be subject to cybersecurity threats and attacks and there can be no assurance that we will not experience a material incident. Any cybersecurity incidents could result in a disruption of our operations, customer or advertiser dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation or brands, regulatory investigations, claims, lawsuits or loss of customers or revenue, and the Company may also be subject to liability under relevant contractual obligations and laws and regulations protecting personal data and may be required to expend significant resources to defend, remedy and/or address any incidents. The Company may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate it for any losses that may occur.
Technological developments may increase the threat of content piracy and signal theft and limit the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property rights.
Content piracy and signal theft present a threat to the Company's revenues from products and services, including television shows, cable and other programming. The Company seeks to limit the threat of content piracy as well as cable and direct broadcast satellite programming signal theft; however, policing unauthorized use of the Company's products and services and related intellectual property is often difficult and the steps taken by the Company may not in every case prevent infringement. Although no content theft has been material to the Company's businesses to date, we expect to continue to be subject to content threats and there can be
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no assurance that we will not experience a material incident. Developments in technology, including artificial intelligence, digital copying, file compression technology, growing penetration of high-bandwidth Internet connections, increased availability and speed of mobile data networks, and new devices and applications that enable unauthorized access to content, increase the threat of content piracy by making it easier to acreate, access, duplicate, widely distribute and store high-quality pirated material. In addition, developments in software or devices that circumvent encryption technology and the falling prices of devices incorporating such technologies increase the threat of unauthorized use and distribution of direct broadcast satellite programming signals and the proliferation of user-generated content sites and live and stored video streaming sites, which deliver unauthorized copies of copyrighted content, including those emanating from other countries in various languages, may adversely impact the Company's businesses. The proliferation of unauthorized distribution and use of the Company's content could have an adverse effect on the Company's businesses and profitability because it reduces the revenue that the Company could potentially receive from the legitimate sale and distribution of its products and services.
The Company takes a variety of actions to combat piracy and signal theft, both individually and, in some instances, together with industry associations, but the protection of the Company's intellectual property rights depends on the scope and duration of the Company's rights as defined by applicable laws in the U.S. and abroad and how those laws are construed. If those laws are interpreted in ways that limit the extent or duration of the Company's rights or if existing laws are changed, the Company's ability to generate revenue from intellectual property may decrease or the cost of obtaining and enforcing our rights may increase. A change in the laws of one jurisdiction may also have an impact on the Company's overall ability to protect its intellectual property rights across other jurisdictions. The Company's efforts to enforce its rights and protect its products, services and intellectual property may not be successful in preventing content piracy or signal theft. Further, while piracy and the proliferation of piracy-enabling technology tools continue to escalate, if any laws intended to combat piracy and protect intellectual property are repealed, weakened or not adequately enforced, or if the applicable legal systems fail to evolve and adapt to new technologies that facilitate piracy, we may be unable to effectively protect our rights and the value of our intellectual property may be negatively impacted, and our costs of enforcing our rights could increase.
The Company is subject to complex laws, regulations, rules, industry standards, and contractual obligations related to privacy and personal data protection, which are evolving, inconsistent and potentially costly.
We are subject to U.S. federal and state laws and regulations, as well as laws fromthose of other countries, relating to the collection, use, disclosure, and security of personal information. The number and complexity of these laws and regulations continues to increase. For example, California, Virginia, Utah and, Colorado, Connecticut ha, and several other states have passed legislation imposing
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broad obligations on businesses' collection, use, handling and disclosure of personal information of their respective residents and imposing fines for noncompliance. The FTC also has initiated a rulemaking proceeding regarding potential rules concerning the collection, use, disclosure and security of personal information. In addition, the E.U., the U.K. and other countries also have privacy and data security legislation, with significant penalties for violations, that apply to certain of the Company's operations. New privacy and data protection laws and regulations continue to be introduced and interpretations of existing privacy laws and regulations, some of which may be inconsistent with one another, continue to evolve. As a result, significant uncertainty exists as to their application and scope. Compliance with these laws and regulations may be costly and could require the Company to change its business practices, including in connection with data-driven targeted advertising in its digital offerings. Although the Company expends significant resources to comply with privacy and data protection laws, we may be subject to regulatory or other legal action despite these efforts. Any such action could result in damage to our reputation or brands, loss of customers or revenue, and other negative impacts to our operations. The Company may also be subject to liability under relevant contractual obligations and may be required to expend significant resources to defend, remedy and/or address any claims. The Company may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate it for any losses that may occur. For more information, see Item 1, "Government Regulation Privacy and Information Regulation."
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Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Changes in laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition andor results of operations.
The Company is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which its businesses operate. In general, the television broadcasting and traditional MVPD industries in the U.S. are highly regulated by federal laws and regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies, including the FCC. The FCC generally regulates, among other things, the ownership of media, broadcast and multichannel video programming and technical operations of broadcast licensees. For example, the Company is required to apply for and operate in compliance with licenses from the FCC to operate a television station, purchase a new television station, or sell an existing television station, with licenses generally subject to an eight-year renewable term. Our program services and online properties are subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including those relating to issues such as content regulation, user privacy and data protection, and consumer protection. Further, the United States Congress, the FCC , the FTC and state legislatures currently have under consideration, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters, including technological changes and measures relating to network neutrality, privacy and data security, which could, directly or indirectly, affect the operations and ownership of the Company's media properties. From time to time, the FCC considers whether virtual MVPDs should be considered MVPDs (as defined by the FCC) and regulated as such, which could negatively impact the Company's distribution model. Any restrictions on political or other advertising may adversely affect the Company's advertising revenues. In addition, some policymakers maintain that traditional MVPDs should be required to offer a la carte programming to subscribers on a network-by-network basis or "family friendly" programming tiers. Unbundling packages of program services may increase both competition for carriage on distribution platforms and marketing expenses, which could adversely affect the business, financial condition andor results of operations of the Company's cable networks. The threat of regulatory action or increased scrutiny that deters certain advertisers from advertising or reaching their intended audiences could adversely affect advertising revenue. Similarly, new laws or regulations or changes in interpretations of laws or regulations could require changes in the operations or ownership of our business. Furthermore, new laws, regulations and standards related to environmental (including climate), social and governance matters are likely to impose additional costs on us, expose us to new risks and subject us to increasing scrutiny. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company may be subject to investigations or fines from governmental authorities, including under FCC rules and policies, or delays in our renewal and other applications with the FCC.
FCC rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material on television or radio broadcast stations between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The FCC has indicated that, in addition to issuing fines to licensees, it would consider initiating license revocation proceedings for "serious" indecency violations. We air a significant amount of live news reporting and live sports coverage on our broadcast television stations and networks and a portion of our content is under the control of our on-air talent. The Company cannot predict whether information delivered by our stations and on-air talent could violate FCC rules related to indecency, which had been found to be unconstitutionally vague by the U.S. Supreme Court, especially given the spontaneity of live news and sports programming. Violation of the FCC's indecency rules
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could subject us to government investigation, penalties, license revocation, or renewal or qualification proceedings, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition andor results of operations.
The Communications Act and FCC regulations limit the ability of non-U.S. citizens and certain other persons to invest in us.
The Company owns broadcast station licensees in connection with its ownership and operation of U.S. television stations. Under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Communications Act, and the FCC rules, without the FCC's prior approval, no broadcast station licensee may be owned by a corporation if more than 25% of its stock is owned or voted by non-U.S. persons, their representatives, or by any other corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country. The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to take action to prevent, cure or mitigate the effect of stock ownership above the applicable foreign ownership threshold, including: refusing to permit any transfer of Common Stock to or ownership of Common Stock by a non-U.S. stockholder;
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voiding a transfer of Common Stock to a non-U.S. stockholder; suspending rights of stock ownership if held by a non-U.S. stockholder; or redeeming Common Stock held by a non-U.S. stockholder. We are currently in compliance with applicable U.S. law and continue to monitor our foreign ownership based on our assessment of the information reasonably available to us, but we are not able to predict whether we will need to take action pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The FCC could review the Company's compliance with applicable U.S. law in connection with its consideration of the Company's renewal applications for licenses to operate the broadcast stations the Company owns.
The failure or destruction of satellites or transmitter facilities the Company depends on to distribute its programming could materially adversely affect its businesses and results of operations, as could changes in FCC regulations governing the availability and use of satellite transmission spectrum.
The Company uses satellite systems to transmit its broadcast and cable networks to affiliates. The distribution facilities include uplinks, communications satellites and downlinks. Transmissions may be disrupted as a result of local disasters, including extreme weather, that impair on-ground uplinks or downlinks, or as a result of an impairment of a satellite. Currently, there are a limited number of communications satellites available for the transmission of programming. If a disruption occurs, failure to secure alternate distribution facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company's businesses and results of operations. Each of the Company's television stations and cable networks uses studio and transmitter facilities that are subject to damage or destruction. Failure to restore such facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company's businesses and results of operations. Further, changes in FCC regulations have reduced the availability and use of satellite transmission spectrum. In 2020, the FCC began reallocating and "re-packing" a band of satellite transmission spectrum known as the "C-Band used by the television industry to transmit programming in order to free up spectrum for the next generation of commercial wireless broadband services. This has reduced the availability and use of satellite transmission spectrum for the television industry, and additional changes in FCC regulations could lead to further reductions. The decreased availability of satellite transmission spectrum could diminish the quality of and increase interference to our transmissions, which could significantly hinder the Company's ability to deliver its programming to broadcast affiliates and traditional MVPDs.
The Company could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
We are subject to taxation in U.S. federal, state and local, as well as certain international jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws, regulations, practices or the interpretations thereof (including changes in legislation currently being considered) could adversely affect the Company's results of operations or its tax assets. Judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for taxes. In addition, transactions occur during the ordinary course of business or otherwise for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.
Tax returns are routinely audited, tax-related litigation or settlements may occur, and certain jurisdictions may assess income tax liabilities against us. The final outcomes of tax audits, investigations, and any related litigation could result in materially different tax recognition from our historical tax provisions and accruals. These outcomes could conflict with private letter rulings, opinions of counsel or other interpretations provided to the Company. If these matters are adversely resolved, we may be required to recognize additional charges to our
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tax provisions and pay significant additional amounts with respect to current or prior periods or our taxes in the future could increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Unfavorable litigation or governmental investigation results could require us to pay significant amounts or lead to onerous operating procedures.
We are subject from time to time to a number of lawsuits, including claims relating to competition, intellectual property rights, employment and labor matters, personal injury and property damage, free speech, customer privacy, regulatory requirements, and advertising, marketing and selling practices. Greater constraints on tSee Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for a discussion of certain of these matters. The Company has incurred significant expenses defending against the defamation and disparagement matters described in Note 14, including the payment of approximately $800 million to settle the Dominion matter and a related lawsuit in April 2023.
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The use of arbitration to resolve certaiCompany continues to believe the Smartmatic and other lawsuits alleging defamation or disparagement as well as related derivative lawsuits are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously, including through any appeals.However, the outcome of these pending matters is subject to significant uncertainty, and it is possible that an adverse resolution of one or more of these pending matters could result in reputational harm and/or significant monetary damages, injunctive relief or settlement costs. There can be no assurance that the ultimate resolution of these disputes could pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Greater constraints on the use of arbitration to resolve certain disputes could adversely affect our business. We also spend substantial resources complying with various regulatory and government standards, including any related investigations and litigation. We may incur additional significant expenses in the future defending any such against any lawsuit or government charge and may be required to pay amounts or otherwise change our operations in ways that could adversely impact our businesses, results of operations or financial condit, financial condition or cash flows. In addition, regardless of merit or outcome, litigation and government investigations are time-consuming and costly to defend, divert managements attention and resources away from our business, may result in reputational harm and may impair our ability to conduct our business.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure
Certain of the Company's directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity ownership in News Corp or because they also serve as officers and/or on the board of directors of News Corp.
In June 2013, 21CF completed the separation of its businesses into two independent publicly traded companies by distributing to its shareholders shares of a new company called News Corporation ("News Corp"). Certain of the Company's directors and executive officers own shares of common stock of News Corp, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. In addition, certain of the Company's officers and directors also serve as officers and/or as directors of News Corp, including our Chair, K. Rupert Murdoch, who serves as News Corp's Executive Chairman, and our Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Lachlan K. Murdoch, who serves as News Corp's Co-Chairman. This ownership of or service to both companies may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for News Corp and the Company. In addition to any other arrangements that the Company and News Corp may agree to implement, the Company and News Corp have agreed that officers and directors who serve at both companies will recuse themselves from decisions where conflicts arise due to their positions at both companies.
Our amended and restated by-laws acknowledge that our directors and officers, as well as certain of our stockholders, including K. Rupert Murdoch, certain members of his family and certain family trusts (so long as such persons continue to own, in the aggregate, 10% or more of the voting stock of each of News Corp and the Company), each of which we refer to as a covered stockholder, are or may become stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents of News Corp and certain of its affiliates. Our amended and restated by-laws provide that any such overlapping person will not be liable to us, or to any of our stockholders, for breach of any fiduciary duty that would otherwise exist because such individual directs a corporate opportunity to News Corp instead of us. The provisions in our amended and restated by-laws could result in an overlapping person submitting any corporate opportunities to News Corp instead of us.
Certain provisions of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated by-laws, Delaware law, the Company's stockholder rights agreement, and t and the ownership of the Company's Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust may discourage takeovers and the concentration of ownership will affect the voting results of matters submitted for stockholder approval.
The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may make more difficult or expensive a tender offer, change in control, or takeover attempt that is opposed by the Company's Board of Directors or certain stockholders holding a significant percentage of the voting power of the Company's outstanding voting stock. In particular, the
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amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide for, among other things:
a dual class common equity capital structure, in which holders of FOX Class A Common Stock can vote only in very specific, limited circumstances;
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a prohibition on stockholders taking any action by written consent without a meeting (unless there are three record holders or fewer);
special stockholders' meeting to be called only by a majority of the Board of Directors, the Chair or vice or deputy chair, or upon the written request of holders of not less than 20% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock;
the requirement that stockholders give the Company advance notice to nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors or to make stockholder proposals at a stockholders' meeting;
the requirement of an affirmative vote of at least 65% of the voting power of the Company's outstanding voting stock to amend or repeal our amended and restated by-laws;
restrictions on the transfer of the Company's shares; and
the Board of Directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock and series common stock with such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.
These provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, even in the case where a majority of the stockholders may consider such proposals desirable.
Further, as a result of his ability to appoint certain members of the board of directors of the corporate trustee of the Murdoch Family Trust, which beneficially owns less than one percent of the outstanding FOX Class A Common Stock and 42.13.39% of FOX Class B Common Stock, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares beneficially owned by the Murdoch Family Trust. K. Rupert Murdoch, however, disclaims any beneficial ownership of these shares. Also, K. Rupert Murdoch beneficially owns or may be deemed to beneficially own an additional approximatelyless than one percent of FOX Class A Common Stock and less than one percent of FOX Class B Common Stock. Thus, K. Rupert Murdoch may be deemed to beneficially own in the aggregate approximatelyless than one percent of FOX Class A Common Stock and 42.73.99% of FOX Class B Common Stock.
This concentration of voting power could discourage third parties from making proposals involving an acquisition of the Company. Additionally, the ownership concentration of FOX Class B Common Stock by the Murdoch Family Trust increases the likelihood that proposals submitted for stockholder approval that are supported by the Murdoch Family Trust will be adopted and proposals that the Murdoch Family Trust does not support will not be adopted, whether or not such proposals to stockholders are also supported by the other holders of FOX Class B Common Stock. Furthermore, the adoption of the stockholder rights agreement prevents, unless the Company's board of directors otherwise determines at the time, other potential stockholders from acquiring a similar ownership position in the Company's Class B Common Stock and, accordingly, could prevent a meaningful challenge to the Murdoch Family Trust's influence over matters submitted for stockholder approval.
The Company's Board of Directors has approved a $47 billion stock repurchase program for the FOX Class A Common Stock and FOX Class B Common Stock, which has and in the future could increase the percentage of FOX Class B Common Stock held by the Murdoch Family Trust. The Company has entered into a stockholders agreement with the Murdoch Family Trust pursuant to which the Company and the Murdoch Family Trust have agreed not to take actions that would result in the Murdoch Family Trust and Murdoch family members together owning more than 44% of the outstanding voting power of the shares of FOX Class B Common Stock or would increase the Murdoch Family Trust's voting power by more than 1.75% in any rolling 12-month period. The Murdoch Family Trust would forfeit votes to the extent necessary to ensure that the Murdoch Family Trust and the Murdoch family collectively do not exceed 44% of the outstanding voting power of the Class B Common Stock, except where a Murdoch family member votes their own shares differently from the Murdoch Family Trust on any matter.
Risks Related to the Company's Separation from 21CF
The indemnification arrangements the Company entered into with 21CF in connection with the Transaction may require the Company to divert cash to satisfy indemnification obligations to 21CF. The
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indemnification from 21CF may not be sufficient to insure the Company against the full amount of liabilities that have been allocated to 21CF.
Pursuant to the agreements the Company and 21CF entered into in connection with the Transaction, 21CF will indemnify the Company for certain liabilities and the Company will indemnify 21CF for certain
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liabilities. Payments pursuant to these indemnities may be significant and could negatively impact our business. Third parties could also seek to hold the Company responsible for any of the liabilities of the businesses that were retained by 21CF in connection with the Transaction. 21CF has agreed to indemnify the Company for such liabilities, but such indemnity from 21CF may not be sufficient to protect the Company against the full amount of such liabilities, and 21CF may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if the Company ultimately succeeds in recovering from 21CF any amounts for which it is held liable, the Company may be temporarily required to bear these losses itself. Each of thThese risks could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations andor cash flows.
The Company could be liable for income taxes owed by 21CF.
Each member of the 21CF consolidated group, which, prior to the Transaction, included 21CF, the Company and 21CF's other subsidiaries, is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income and, in certain jurisdictions, state tax liabilities of each other member of the consolidated group for periods prior to and including the Transaction. Consequently, the Company could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any other member of what was previously the 21CF consolidated group. The tax matters agreement entered into in connection with the Transaction requires 21CF and/or Disney to indemnify the Company for any such liability. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the taxing authorities in amounts that the Company cannot quantify.