SKY Italia subscribers down another 51,000 in 1Q 2013

NEW YORK, NY — News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today reported $9.54 billion of total revenue for the three months ending March 31, 2013, a $1.14 billion or 14% increase over the $8.40 billion of revenue reported in the prior year quarter.

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television

DBS generated a quarterly segment operating loss of $11 million, compared to operating income of $40 million reported in the same period a year ago. The decline was driven by the consolidation of Sky Deutschland results, following the Company’s acquisition of an additional 5% ownership stake in this entity in January 2013, as well as lower contributions from SKY Italia.

Revenues increased $377 million versus the same period a year ago, reflecting the inclusion of Sky Deutschland revenues. Sky Deutschland grew net subscribers by approximately 42,000 during the quarter, bringing total direct subscribers to 3.41 million. Quarterly local currency revenue at SKY Italia declined slightly from the corresponding period of the prior year. SKY Italia experienced a net reduction of approximately 51,000 subscribers during the quarter, bringing total subscribers to 4.78 million.

SKY Italia subscribers:

                2013                                        2012
           ---------  ------------------------------------------
                  1Q         4Q         3Q         2Q         1Q
           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Total      4,780,000  4,830,000  4,860,000  4,900,000  4,940,000
Net Adds    (51,000)   (28,000)   (40,000)   (42,000)   (86,000)