News Corporation Reports Third Quarter Operating Income of $889 Millio

News Corporation Reports Third Quarter Operating Income of $889 Million; Growth of 9% over Third Quarter a Year Ago; Revenues Increase 17% to $6.0 Billion

    Business Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2005--News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV):

    QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

--	Cable Network Programming operating income up 55% on advertising revenue growth at Fox News, higher affiliate and advertising revenues at FX and lower programming costs at the Regional Sports Networks.
--	Continued robust home entertainment sales of film and television titles drive Filmed Entertainment operating income up 15%.
--	Television segment operating income down 15% as STAR's growing profitability was offset primarily by higher programming costs at the FOX network. Network ratings during the quarter grew 11% versus prior year.
--	SKY Italia operating results continue to improve with a growing subscriber base that now exceeds 3.2 million.
--	Print segments report earnings contributions in line with a year ago in aggregate as both advertising growth and the inclusion of Queensland Press' results within Australian newspapers were primarily offset by increased depreciation costs in the UK and pricing declines at Magazines and Inserts' free standing inserts division.
--	Completed acquisition of the 17.9% interest in Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. that the Company did not own.

    News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today reported third quarter consolidated revenues of $6.0 billion, a 17% increase over the $5.2 billion in the prior year, and consolidated operating income of $889 million, up 9% over the $815 million a year ago. The year-on-year operating income growth was driven by double-digit percentage increases at the Filmed Entertainment and Cable Network Programming segments.
    Net income for the third quarter was $400 million, ($0.13 diluted earnings per share on a combined basis(1)), a decrease of $34 million from the $434 million ($0.15 diluted earnings per share on a combined basis(1)) reported in the third quarter a year ago. Higher consolidated operating income and an improvement in equity earnings of affiliates were more than offset by a $77 million loss recognized on the restructuring of the Company's investment in Regional Programming Partners which is included in Other, net.
    Commenting on the results, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch said:
    "Our third quarter results were led by the strong performances of our filmed entertainment and cable network programming segments and was achieved despite a weaker performance at television. While the television segment was down year-on-year, reflecting higher programming costs and the soft advertising marketplace in the US, our stations generated record market share and the broadcast network, on the heels of its victory during the February sweeps, is poised to win the broadcast season ratings race for the first time in its history. SKY Italia, buoyed by revenue expansion of 20% in local currency, continued on its path to profitability - which we expect to deliver for the first time in the fourth quarter - as subscriber churn remained at low levels. And we are also pleased with the operating progress being demonstrated by DIRECTV, with net new subscriber additions of 505,000 during the quarter and an encouraging reduction in churn. The financial and operational momentum we have maintained across our broad asset base gives us confidence in our ability to achieve the fiscal year targets we have set."

    (1) See supplemental financial data on page 15 for detail on earnings per share.

Consolidated Operating Income 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 -------- -------- -------- -------- US $ Millions

Filmed Entertainment $ 251 $ 218 $ 949 $ 810 Television 221 260 608 599 Cable Network Programming 172 111 565 368 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (21) (24) (247) (251) Magazines and Inserts 79 84 216 205 Newspapers 186 176 488 448 Book Publishing 30 36 152 152 Other (29) (46) (122)(a) (74) -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Consolidated Operating Income $ 889 $ 815 $ 2,609 $ 2,257 -------- -------- -------- --------

(a) The nine months ended March 31, 2005 include $49 million of costs associated with our reincorporation in the United States.

    REVIEW OF OPERATING RESULTS

    FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

    The Filmed Entertainment segment reported record third quarter operating income of $251 million, up 15% versus the $218 million reported in the same period a year ago. The current quarter results primarily reflect strong worldwide theatrical revenues and increased contributions from film and television home entertainment releases.
    Third quarter film results were largely driven by the worldwide home entertainment release of Alien vs. Predator, the domestic home entertainment performance of Napoleon Dynamite and continued international home entertainment contributions from I, Robot. In addition, the current quarter included the initial results and related releasing costs from several strong theatrical releases, most notably Robots and Hide & Seek, as well as the continued success of Sideways. The third quarter a year ago included the worldwide home entertainment performance of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and the worldwide theatrical performance of Cheaper By The Dozen.
    Twentieth Century Fox Television (TCFTV) also reported increased contributions versus the third quarter a year ago primarily reflecting sustained momentum in home entertainment sales, most notably from Family Guy and 24. Several TCFTV shows have increased their ratings year on year and continue to perform well including 24 and Reba.

    TELEVISION

    The Television segment reported third quarter operating income of $221 million, a decrease of $39 million versus the same period a year ago, primarily reflecting higher contributions from STAR and Fox Television Stations which were more than offset by a decline at the FOX Broadcasting Company (FBC).
    Fox Television Stations' (FTS) third quarter operating income was up 6% over prior year, despite softness in the overall advertising market and the negative impact of local people meters, as FTS achieved record market share primarily due to FBC's airing of Super Bowl XXXIX and the Daytona 500 as well as from primetime ratings strength led by American Idol. Current-year growth also reflects a decrease in entertainment programming costs as a result of lower costing syndicated programming which more than offset the expansion of local news in several FTS markets.
    At the FOX Broadcasting Company, third quarter operating results decreased compared to a year ago as increased advertising revenues from higher pricing for the primetime entertainment schedule as well as additional revenues from airing Super Bowl XXXIX were more than offset by increased programming costs. The higher programming costs were a result of the Super Bowl broadcast as well as increased license fees on returning programs and several new series cancellations. Ratings during the quarter grew 11% and included FBC's first place finish during the February sweeps, led by the growth of returning series American Idol and 24 as well as strong ratings from the new hit series House.
    STAR's third quarter operating income increased more than 60%, as advertising and subscription revenue gains drove total revenue up 10%. Higher revenues primarily reflect the continued strength of STAR Plus, as well as contributions from several new channels in India, including STAR One, another Hindi entertainment channel.

    CABLE NETWORK PROGRAMMING

    Cable Network Programming reported third quarter operating income of $172 million, an increase of $61 million over last year's result. The 55% growth reflects continued advertising and affiliate strength at Fox News Channel and FX, the lack of NHL programming costs at the Regional Sports Networks due to the cancellation of the season and the absence of losses from the Los Angeles Dodgers which was sold during fiscal 2004.
    Fox News Channel (FNC) reported operating income growth of 45% compared to the third quarter a year ago fueled primarily by double-digit advertising revenue growth which was partially offset by higher costs associated with covering international breaking news stories. Viewership during the quarter was up 15% in primetime and 5% on a 24-hour basis and for the fourth consecutive quarter FNC had more total viewers than CNN, MSNBC, Headline News and CNBC combined.
    At our other cable channels (including the Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), the FX Channel (FX) and SPEED Channel) operating profit improved 44% during the quarter driven by double-digit revenue growth at FX and SPEED Channel and lower sports costs at the RSNs as a result of the NHL lockout. The revenue gains at FX were driven primarily by higher advertising from ratings growth and increased pricing, as well as higher affiliate revenues from increased rates and additional subscribers. These revenue gains were partially offset by higher programming costs primarily from additional airings of original hit series Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me as well as the addition of new syndicated series. Following the quarter, The Shield's fourth season delivered the highest premiere of any cable series, season-to-date on either basic or pay-TV, with household ratings up 37% over prior year.

    DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE TELEVISION

    SKY Italia reported a third quarter operating loss of $21 million versus $24 million a year ago on local currency revenue growth of 20%. The improvement versus the prior year primarily reflects strong subscriber additions over the past year with more than 136,000 net new subscribers added during the third quarter alone. SKY Italia's subscriber base exceeded 3.2 million at quarter end. The revenue growth was mostly offset by increased programming spending during the quarter primarily due to the broadcast of additional soccer matches and movie titles as well as the addition of ten new entertainment and news channels on the basic programming tier.

    MAGAZINES AND INSERTS

    The Magazines and Inserts segment reported third quarter operating income of $79 million versus $84 million in the third quarter a year ago. Increased contributions from the InStore division on higher advertising revenues were more than offset by declines at the Free Standing Inserts division primarily from lower rates.

    NEWSPAPERS

    The Newspaper segment reported third quarter operating income of $186 million, a 6% increase versus the same period a year ago primarily reflecting advertising revenue growth in Australia and the inclusion of results from the Queensland Press Group which was fully consolidated for this quarter.
    The Australian newspaper group reported a 67% increase in operating income in local currency terms, primarily driven by a robust advertising market and the inclusion of results from the Queensland Press Group. Advertising revenue growth was spread across display advertising, with sustained strength in the national and retail sectors, as well as classified advertising, where the employment market continued its robust growth.
    The U.K. newspaper group reported an operating income decline of 26% in local currency terms as circulation revenue gains were more than offset by significantly increased depreciation costs associated with the development of new printing operations. Circulation revenue growth was led by increased sales from moving fully to a compact version of The Times as well as an increased cover price at The News of the World.

    BOOK PUBLISHING

    HarperCollins reported operating income of $30 million during the quarter versus $36 million reported in the same period a year ago which included strong sales of Zondervan's The Purpose Driven Life. Current quarter results included strong sales of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Winning by Jack Welch and Witness by Amber Frey. During the third quarter, HarperCollins had 38 books on The New York Times bestseller list including five titles that reached number one.

    OTHER ITEMS

    On March 21, 2005 the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of the 17.9% interest in Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. (FEG) that the Company did not own. Under the terms of the exchange offer and subsequent merger of FEG into the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, holders of Fox Class A Common Stock received 2.04 shares of the Company's Class A Shares.
    Following the quarter, the Company, along with Cablevision Systems Corporation, completed its previously announced agreement to restructure its ownership of six regional sports networks held in the jointly owned Regional Programming Partners venture. As a result of this transaction, the Company now owns 100% of Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Net and National Advertising Partners and no longer has an ownership interest in Madison Square Garden and its properties, Fox Sports Chicago and Fox Sports New England. During the March quarter, the Company recognized a loss of approximately $77 million on this transaction which is included in Other, net.

    REVIEW OF ASSOCIATED ENTITIES RESULTS

    Third quarter net earnings from associated entities were $91 million versus earnings of $71 million in the same period a year ago. The improvement was primarily due to increased contributions from BSkyB partly offset by higher losses at The DIRECTV Group.
    The Company's share of associated entities' earnings (losses) is as follows:

3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, % Owned 2005 2004 2005 2004 -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- US $ Millions US $ Millions BSkyB 36.3% (a) $ 107 $ 90 $ 249 $ 199 The DIRECTV Group, Inc. 33.9% (b) (40) (27) (217) (27) Sky Brasil 49.7% (2) (6) 23 (20) Innova 30.0% 6 4 17 (10) FOXTEL 25.0% (3) (8) (17) (15) Other Associates Various (c) 23 18 99 (39) ------- ------- ------- ------- Total associated entities' earnings (losses) $ 91 $ 71 $ 154 $ 88 ======= ======= ======= =======

Further details on the associated entities follow.

(a) Due to BSkyB's stock repurchase program, News' ownership in BSkyB increased from 35.8% as of December 31, 2004 to 36.3% as of March 31, 2005.

(b) The Company acquired a 34% interest in The DIRECTV Group on December 22, 2003.

(c) Primarily comprising Gemstar-TV Guide International, Fox Cable Networks associates, Independent Newspapers Limited, and Queensland Press (through November 12, 2004).

BSkyB (in STG and UK GAAP) (1) ---------------------- 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ Millions (except Millions subscribers)

Revenues GBP 1,015 GBP 931 GBP 2,960 GBP 2,697 Operating income 192 126 489 351 Net income GBP 119 GBP 113 GBP 273 GBP 243 =========== =========== =========== ============

News' reportable 36.3% share (in US$ and US GAAP) $ 107 $ 90 $ 249 $ 199 =========== =========== =========== ============

Net debt GBP 414 GBP 662

Ending Subscribers 11,565,000 11,151,000 DTH Subscribers 7,704,000 7,274,000

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (1) ----------------------- 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004(a) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Millions (except Millions subscribers)

Revenues $ 3,148 $ 2,493 $ 9,372 $ 2,493 Operating loss (54) (96) (2,049) (96) Net loss $ (41) $ (639) $ (1,338) $ (639) =========== =========== =========== ===========

News' reportable 33.9% share $ (40) $ (27) $ (217) $ (27) =========== =========== =========== ===========

Net (cash) debt $ (259) $ 1,438

Ending Subscribers 14,445,000 12,631,000

(a) The Company acquired a 34% interest in The DIRECTV Group on December 22, 2003.

Sky Brasil (in US$) --------------------------- 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Millions (except Millions subscribers)

Revenues (in local currency) R$ 201 R$ 166 R$ 587 R$ 486

Revenues $ 76 $ 57 $ 210 $ 167 Operating income 6 4 14 4 Net income (loss) $ (4) $ (12) $ 45 $ (40) ========== ========== ========== ==========

News' reportable 49.7% share (in US$) $ (2) $ (6) $ 23 $ (20) ========== ========== ========== ==========

Net debt (excluding capitalized leases) $ 204 $ 208

Ending Subscribers 868,000 787,000

Innova (in US$) (1) ------------------- 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Millions (except Millions subscribers)

Revenues (in local currency) Ps 1,303 Ps 1,141 Ps 3,744 Ps 3,204

Revenues $ 114 $ 97 $ 320 $ 272 Operating income 30 21 80 49 Net income (loss) $ 17 $ 13 $ 55 $ (32) ============ ============ ============ ============

News' reportable 30.0% share (in US$) $ 6 $ 4 $ 17 $ (10) ============ ============ ============ ============

Net debt (excluding capitalized leases) $ 200 $ 348

Ending Subscribers 1,108,000 886,000

FOXTEL (in A$ and Australian GAAP) --------------------------- 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Millions (except Millions subscribers)

Revenues A$ 280 A$ 219(a) A$ 769 A$ 638(a) Operating loss (17) (59) (117) (117) Net loss A$ (15) A$ (43) A$ (94) A$ (83) ========== ========== ========== ==========

News' reportable 25% share (in US$ and US GAAP) $ (3) $ (8) $ (17) $ (15) ========== ========== ========== ==========

Net Debt (including capitalized leases) A$ 498 A$ 207

Ending Subscribers (including wholesale) 1,162,000 1,074,000 Ending Subscribers (excluding wholesale) 998,000 867,000

(a) Amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current fiscal year presentation.

(1) Please refer to respective companies' earnings releases for detailed information.

    Foreign Exchange Rates

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

9 Months Ended March 31, 2005 2004 ---------- ----------

Australian Dollar/U.S. Dollar 0.74 0.71 U.K. Pounds Sterling/U.S. Dollar 1.86 1.72 Euro/U.S. Dollar 1.27 1.19

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

    Audio from News Corp's conference call with analysts on the third quarter results can be heard live on the Internet at 5:00 PM. Eastern Daylight Time today. To listen to the call, visit http://www.newscorp.com.

    Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

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

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- US $ Millions (except per share amounts)

Revenues $ 6,043 $ 5,164 $ 17,751 $ 15,332 Expenses: Operating expenses 4,060 3,384 11,925 10,268 Selling, general, and administrative 918 816 2,715 2,379 Depreciation and amortization 176 149 453 428 Other operating charge - - 49 - --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income 889 815 2,609 2,257 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (143) (136) (405) (400) Equity earnings of affiliates 91 71 154 88 Other, net (62) 14 15 34 --------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income tax expense and minority interest in subsidiaries 775 764 2,373 1,979 Income tax expense (317) (282) (773) (725) Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax (58) (48) (189) (150) ---------- --------- ---------- --------- Net income $ 400 $ 434 $ 1,411 $ 1,104 ========== ========= ========== =========

Basic earnings per share: Class A $0.14 $0.16 $0.51 $0.43 Class B $0.12 $0.13 $0.43 $0.36

Diluted earnings per share: Class A $0.14 $0.16 $0.50 $0.42 Class B $0.12 $0.13 $0.42 $0.35

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, June 30, 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- Assets US $ Millions Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,993 $ 4,051 Cash on deposit - 287 Receivables, net 5,016 4,214 Inventories, net 1,745 1,530 Deferred income taxes 355 521 Other 307 396 ---------- ---------- Total current assets 13,416 10,999 ---------- ----------

Non-current assets: Receivables 740 766 Investments 11,169 10,914 Inventories, net 2,366 2,669 Property, plant, and equipment, net 4,440 3,796 Intangible assets 11,383 10,998 Goodwill 11,159 7,153 Other non-current assets 910 1,048 ---------- ---------- Total non-current assets 42,167 37,344 ---------- ---------- Total assets $ 55,583 $ 48,343 ========== ==========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Borrowings $ 918 $ 1,084 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,331 3,963 Participations, residuals and royalties payable 1,114 890 Program rights payable 815 654 Deferred revenue 556 467 ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities 7,734 7,058 ---------- ----------

Non-current liabilities: Borrowings 10,013 9,080 Other liabilities 3,813 3,878 Deferred income taxes 4,051 3,620 Minority interest in subsidiaries 198 3,832 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' Equity: Class A common stock, $0.01 par value 22 19 Class B common stock, $0.01 par value 10 11 Additional paid-in capital 30,564 23,636 Accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss (822) (2,791) ---------- ---------- Total shareholders' equity 29,774 20,875 ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 55,583 $ 48,343 ========== ==========

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 9 Months Ended March 31, 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- US $ Millions Operating activities: Net income $ 1,411 $ 1,104 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 453 428 Amortization of cable distribution investments 86 94 Equity earnings of affiliates, net (154) (88) Cash distributions received from investees 78 31 Other, net (15) (34) Minority interest in subsidiaries, net of tax 189 150 Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables and other assets (612) (370) Inventories, net 20 (420) Accounts payable and other liabilities 857 1,104 ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by operating activities 2,313 1,999 ---------- ----------

Investing activities: Property, plant, and equipment (710) (213) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (141) (151) Investments in associated entities (142) (3,213) Other investments (30) (64) Proceeds from sale of non-current assets 643 549 ---------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (380) (3,092) ---------- ----------

Financing activities: Issuance of debt 1,776 440 Repayment of borrowings and exchangeable securities (2,095) (616) Cash on deposit 275 163 Issuance of shares 65 545 Dividends paid (124) (106) ---------- ---------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (103) 426 ---------- ----------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,830 (667) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 4,051 4,477 Exchange movement on opening cash balance 112 59 ---------- ---------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 5,993 $ 3,869 ========== ==========

SEGMENT INFORMATION 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- US $ Millions US $ Millions

Revenues

Filmed Entertainment $ 1,477 $ 1,184 $ 4,726 $ 3,809 Television 1,414 1,182 3,982 3,748 Cable Network Programming 633 580 1,857 1,741 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television 624 494 1,620 1,179 Magazines and Inserts 283 278 774 729 Newspapers 1,062 914 2,937 2,511 Book Publishing 300 321 1,041 1,009 Other 250 211 814 606 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 6,043 $ 5,164 $ 17,751 $ 15,332 ========== ========== ========== ==========

Operating Income

Filmed Entertainment $ 251 $ 218 $ 949 $ 810 Television 221 260 608 599 Cable Network Programming 172 111 565 368 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (21) (24) (247) (251) Magazines and Inserts 79 84 216 205 Newspapers 186 176 488 448 Book Publishing 30 36 152 152 Other (29) (46) (122)(a) (74) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- $ 889 $ 815 $ 2,609 $ 2,257 ========== ========== ========== ==========

(a) The nine months ended March 31, 2005 include $49 million of costs associated with our reincorporation in the United States.

    NOTE 1 - SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

    Earnings per share is presented on a combined basis as the Company will not be required to present the two class method beginning in Fiscal 2008. Currently under US GAAP earnings per share is computed individually for the Class A and Class B shares. Class A non-voting shares carry rights to a greater dividend than Class B voting shares through fiscal 2007. As such, net income available to the Company's common stockholders is allocated between our two classes of common stock. The allocation between classes was based upon the two-class method. Earnings per share by class and by total weighted average shares outstanding (Class A and Class B combined) is as follows:

3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 --------- --------- -------- --------- US $ Millions US $ Millions

Basic earnings per share: Class A $0.14 $0.16 $0.51 $0.43 Class B $0.12 $0.13 $0.43 $0.36 Total $0.14 $0.15 $0.48 $0.40

Diluted earnings per share: Class A $0.14 $0.16 $0.50 $0.42 Class B $0.12 $0.13 $0.42 $0.35 Total $0.13 $0.15 $0.47 $0.40

Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted): Class A 1,966 1,951 1,969 1,767 Class B 1,045 983 1,014 983 -------- -------- ------- -------- Total 3,011 2,934 2,983 2,750 ======== ======== ======= ========

    NOTE 2 - OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

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

3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2005 2004 2005 2004 --------- --------- --------- --------- US $ Millions US $ Millions

Operating income $ 889 $ 815 $ 2,609 $ 2,257 Depreciation and amortization 176 149 453 428 Amortization of cable distribution investments 28 31 86 94 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income before depreciation and amortization $ 1,093 $ 995 $ 3,148 $ 2,779 ========= ========= ========= =========

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 (US $ Millions) ------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) Amortization before Operating Depreciation of cable depreciation income and distribution and (loss) amortization investments amortization ---------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Filmed Entertainment $ 251 $ 14 $ - 265 Television 221 20 - 241 Cable Network Programming 172 10 28 210 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (21) 42 - 21 Magazines and Inserts 79 1 - 80 Newspapers 186 70 - 256 Book Publishing 30 1 - 31 Other (29) 18 - (11) ---------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Consolidated Total $ 889 $ 176 $ 28 $ 1,093 ========== ============== ============== ==============

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 (US $ Millions) ------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) Amortization before Operating Depreciation of cable depreciation income and distribution and (loss) amortization investments amortization ---------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Filmed Entertainment $ 218 $ 14 $ - $ 232 Television 260 21 - 281 Cable Network Programming 111 10 31 152 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (24) 43 - 19 Magazines and Inserts 84 2 - 86 Newspapers 176 41 - 217 Book Publishing 36 2 - 38 Other (46) 16 - (30) ---------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Consolidated Total $ 815 $ 149 $ 31 $ 995 ========== ============== ============== ==============

For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2005 (US $ Millions) ------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) Amortization before Operating Depreciation of cable depreciation income and distribution and (loss) amortization investments amortization ---------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Filmed Entertainment $ 949 $ 39 $ - $ 988 Television 608 61 - 669 Cable Network Programming 565 30 86 681 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (247) 114 - (133) Magazines and Inserts 216 4 - 220 Newspapers 488 151 - 639 Book Publishing 152 4 - 156 Other (122) 50 - (72) ---------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Consolidated Total $ 2,609 $ 453 $ 86 $ 3,148 ========== ============== ============== ==============

For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2004 (US $ Millions) ------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) Amortization before Operating Depreciation of cable depreciation income and distribution and (loss) amortization investments amortization ---------- -------------- -------------- --------------

Filmed Entertainment $ 810 $ 41 $ - $ 851 Television 599 69 - 668 Cable Network Programming 368 31 94 493 Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (251) 128 - (123) Magazines and Inserts 205 5 - 210 Newspapers 448 110 - 558 Book Publishing 152 4 - 156 Other (74) 40 - (34) ---------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Consolidated Total $ 2,257 $ 428 $ 94 $ 2,779 ========== ============== ============== ==============

--30--KB/ny*

CONTACT: News Corporation Investor Relations Reed Nolte, 212-852-7092 Press Inquiries Andrew Butcher, 212-852-7070

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING PUBLISHING TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE MOTION PICTURES EARNINGS SOURCE: News Corporation

Copyright Business Wire 2005