Sky Italia subscribers unchanged in 4Q 2013 at 4.76 million

Thursday, February 6th, 2014
SKY Italia logo

NEW YORK — Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (“21st Century Fox” or the “Company” — NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX; ASX: FOXLV, FOX) today reported $8.16 billion of total revenue for the three months ending December 31, 2013, a $1.06 billion or 15% increase over the $7.11 billion of revenue in the prior year quarter.

The growth in revenue reflects a $605 million increase at the Direct Broadcast Satellite Television (“DBS”) segment, primarily related to the inclusion of Sky Deutschland AG (“Sky Deutschland”) revenue, and a $366 million or 14% increase at the Cable Network Programming segment, led by continued affiliate revenue growth.

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television

DBS generated quarterly segment OIBDA of $30 million, compared to $55 million reported in the same period a year ago. The decrease was driven by the consolidation of Sky Deutschland OIBDA losses, following the Company’s acquisition of a controlling ownership stake in January 2013. The inclusion of Sky Deutschland results more than offset improved results at SKY Italia resulting from marketing and operating cost reductions. Revenue increased $605 million versus the same period a year ago principally reflecting the inclusion of Sky Deutschland revenue.

Sky Deutschland grew net direct subscribers by approximately 138,000 during the quarter, bringing total direct subscribers to 3.67 million.

At SKY Italia, quarterly local currency revenue was consistent with the corresponding period of the prior year. SKY Italia maintained its subscriber base during the quarter, with total subscribers at 4.76 million.

SKY Italia subscribers

                                                 2012
           ------------------------------------------
                  4Q         3Q         2Q         1Q
           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total      4,830,000  4,860,000  4,900,000  4,940,000
Net Adds    (28,000)   (40,000)   (42,000)   (86,000)

                                                 2013
           ------------------------------------------
                  4Q         3Q         2Q         1Q
           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total      4,760,000  4,760,000  4,760,000  4,780,000
Net Adds           0          0   (27,000)   (51,000)