News Corporation Announces 21st Century Fox as New Name for Independent Media and Entertainment Company
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) today announced
that 21st Century Fox will be the new name of the independent media and
entertainment company created by the proposed separation of its
businesses. The name, which will be effective with the separation, draws
on the Company’s creative heritage, while also speaking to the future as
well as the innovation that defines its portfolio of businesses. 21st
Century Fox replaces the previously announced name Fox Group.
Reaching more than a billion people in 100 local languages every day,
the proposed 21st Century Fox will be home to a global portfolio of
cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX,
FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Sports, Fox Sports
Network, National Geographic Channels, Fox Pan American Sports, MundoFox
and STAR; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television
production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and Shine Group. The
proposed Company will also provide premium content to millions of
subscribers through its pay-television services in Europe and Asia,
including Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and its equity interests in BSkyB
and Tata Sky.
Rupert Murdoch, who will serve as Chairman and CEO of the proposed 21st
Century Fox, commented on the Company’s new name:
“Over the years, we have built a global portfolio of companies that has
consistently defied conventional wisdom, and succeeded where others have
failed because we are driven by a steadfast belief in great ideas, the
power of imagination and the desire to thrill and engage audiences with
enduring stories and experiences. 21st Century Fox is a name that draws
upon the rich creative heritage of our film studio, while also speaking
to the innovation and dynamism that define all of our global media and
entertainment businesses and will guide us into the future.”
Chase Carey, the future company’s President and Chief Operating Officer,
commented, “Together, as 21st Century Fox, we will have the global
footprint and creative bench that give us a competitive edge across more
than 50 countries. We believe that the 21st Century Fox name captures
the power of our legacy as well as the vast opportunities for our
consumers, businesses and investors as we look forward.”
News Corporation Separation
On June 28, 2012, News Corporation announced its intent to pursue the
separation of its business into two separate independent companies, one
of which will hold the Company’s global media and entertainment
businesses and the other which will hold the businesses comprising News
Corporation’s newspapers, information services and integrated marketing
services, digital real estate services, book publishing, digital
education and sports programming and pay-TV distribution in Australia.
In addition to final approval from the Board of Directors and
stockholder approval of certain amendments to the Company’s Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the completion of the separation will be
subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, opinions from tax counsel
and favorable rulings from certain tax jurisdictions regarding the
tax-free nature of the transaction to the Company and to its
stockholders, further due diligence as appropriate, the execution of
certain agreements relating to the distribution, and the filing and
effectiveness of appropriate filings with the SEC. There can be no
assurances given that the separation of the Company's businesses as
described will occur.
About News Corporation
News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets
as of December 31, 2012 of approximately US$63 billion and total annual
revenues of approximately US$34 billion. News Corporation is a
diversified global media company with operations in six industry
segments: cable network programming; filmed entertainment; television;
direct broadcast satellite television; publishing; and other. The
activities of News Corporation are conducted principally in the United
States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and
Latin America.
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, including its expectations with
respect to the proposed transaction. Actual results may differ
materially from these expectations due to changes in global economic,
business, competitive market and regulatory factors. In addition, actual
plans, actions and results relating to the proposed transaction may
differ materially from current expectations as a result of certain risks
and uncertainties, including but not limited to: unanticipated
developments that delay or negatively impact the proposed transaction;
changes in market conditions; disruption to business operations as a
result of the proposed transaction; the inability to retain key
personnel; and the other risks and uncertainties described from time to
time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More
detailed information about these and other factors that could affect
future results is contained in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the proposed
transaction will be completed as anticipated or at all. 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.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of
News Corporation in connection with the proposed transaction, if
pursued. Information about the executive officers and directors of News
Corporation and their ownership of News Corporation common stock is set
forth in the Schedule 14A preliminary proxy statement for News
Corporation's special meeting, which was filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 4, 2013.