Disclosure

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. In addition, the Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810-10, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810-10”) and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. Consolidation is required if both of these criteria are met. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, including the intercompany portion of transactions with equity method investees.

Any change in the Company’s ownership interest in a consolidated subsidiary, where a controlling financial interest is retained, are accounted for as a capital transaction. When the Company ceases to have a controlling interest in a consolidated subsidiary, the Company will recognize a gain or loss in net income upon deconsolidation.

On September 19, 2013, the Company changed its fiscal year from a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to June 30 to a fiscal year ending on June 30 of each year. The Company’s 2013 fiscal year ended on June 30, 2013. The Company made this change to better align its financial reporting with the media and entertainment assets retained following the separation of its business into two independent publicly traded companies (the “Separation”) by distributing to its stockholders all of the outstanding shares of the new News Corporation (“News Corp”) on June 28, 2013. (See Note 4 – Discontinued Operations)

Reclassifications and adjustments

Certain fiscal 2013 and 2012 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2014 presentation. As a result of the Separation, News Corp has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented (See Note 4 – Discontinued Operations). Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to the Company’s continuing operations.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less.

Concentration of credit risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. The Company has deposits held with banks that exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk.

Receivables, net

Receivables, net are presented net of an allowance for returns and doubtful accounts, which is an estimate of amounts that may not be collectible.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, receivable aging, current economic trends and specific identification of certain receivables that are at risk of not being paid. In determining the allowance for returns, management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of the Company’s products. Based on this information, management reserves a percentage of each dollar of product sales that provide the customer with the right of return.

The Company has receivables with original maturities greater than one year in duration principally related to the Company’s sale of program rights in the television syndication markets within the Filmed Entertainment segment. Allowances for credit losses are established against these non-current receivables as necessary. As of June 30, 2014 and 2013, these allowances were not material.

Receivables, net consist of:

	As of June 30,
	2014			2013
	(in millions)
Total receivables	$	7,737		$	6,795
Allowances for returns and doubtful accounts		(815	)		(899	)
Total receivables, net		6,922			5,896
Less: current receivables, net		(6,468	)		(5,459	)
Non-current receivables, net	$	454		$	437

Inventories

Filmed Entertainment Costs

In accordance with ASC 926, “Entertainment—Films” (“ASC 926”), Filmed Entertainment costs include capitalized production costs, overhead and capitalized interest costs, net of any amounts received from outside investors. These costs, as well as participations and talent residuals, are recognized as operating expenses on an individual motion picture or television series based on the ratio that current year’s gross revenues for such film or series bear to management’s estimate of its total remaining ultimate gross revenues. Television production costs incurred in excess of the amount of revenue contracted for each episode in the initial market are expensed as incurred on an episode-by-episode basis. Estimates for initial syndication and basic cable revenues are not included in the estimated lifetime revenues of network series until such sales are probable. Television production costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of secondary markets are capitalized and amortized. Marketing costs and development costs under term deals are charged as operating expenses as incurred. Development costs for projects not produced are written-off at the earlier of the time the decision is made not to develop the story or after three years.

Filmed Entertainment costs are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated fair value on an individual motion picture or television series basis. Revenue forecasts for both motion pictures and television series are continually reviewed by management and revised when warranted by changing conditions. When estimates of total revenues and other events or changes in circumstances indicate that a motion picture or television series has a fair value that is less than its unamortized cost, a loss is recognized currently for the amount by which the unamortized cost exceeds the film or television series’ fair value.

Programming Rights

In accordance with ASC 920, “Entertainment—Broadcasters,” costs incurred in acquiring program rights or producing programs for the Cable Network Programming, Television and Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segments are capitalized and amortized over the license period or projected useful life of the programming. Program rights and the related liabilities are recorded at the gross amount of the liabilities when the license period has begun, the cost of the program is determinable and the program is accepted and available for airing. Television broadcast network and original cable programming are amortized on an accelerated basis. The Company has single and multi-year contracts for broadcast rights of programs and sporting events. At least annually, the Company evaluates the recoverability of the unamortized costs associated therewith, using total estimated advertising and other revenues attributable to the program material. The recoverability of sports rights contracts for content broadcast on the national sports channels is assessed on an aggregate basis. Where an evaluation indicates that these multi-year contracts will result in an asset that is not recoverable, additional amortization is provided. The costs of national sports contracts at FOX and the national sports channels are charged to expense and allocated to segments based on the ratio of each current period’s attributable revenue for each contract to the estimated total remaining attributable revenue for each contract. Estimates can change and, accordingly, are reviewed periodically and amortization is adjusted as necessary. Such changes in the future could be material.

The costs of local and regional sports contracts for a specified number of events are amortized on an event-by-event basis while costs for local and regional sports contracts for a specified season are amortized over the season on a straight-line basis.

Investments

Investments in and advances to equity or joint ventures in which the Company has significant influence, but less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns an interest between 20% and 50% and exercises significant influence.

Under the equity method of accounting, the Company includes its investments and amounts due to and from its equity method investees in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations include the Company’s share of the investees’ earnings (losses) and the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows include all cash received from or paid to the investees.

The difference between the Company’s investment and its share of the fair value of the underlying net assets of the investee is first allocated to either finite-lived intangibles or indefinite-lived intangibles and the balance is attributed to goodwill. The Company follows ASC 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), which requires that equity method finite-lived intangibles be amortized over their estimated useful life while indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill are not amortized.

Investments in which the Company has no significant influence (generally less than a 20% ownership interest) are designated as available-for-sale investments if readily determinable market values are available. If an investment’s fair value is not readily determinable, the Company accounts for its investment at cost. The Company reports available-for-sale investments at fair value based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of applicable taxes and other adjustments until the investment is sold or considered impaired. Dividends and other distributions of earnings from available-for-sale investments and cost method investments are included in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when declared.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their useful lives or the life of the lease. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of property are expensed as incurred. Changes in circumstances, such as technological advances, or changes to the Company’s business model or capital strategy, could result in the actual useful lives differing from the Company’s estimates. In those cases where the Company determines that the useful life of buildings and equipment should be shortened, the Company would depreciate the asset over its revised remaining useful life, thereby increasing depreciation expense.

Goodwill and intangible assets

The Company has a significant amount of intangible assets, including goodwill, film and television libraries, Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses, multi-channel video programming distributor (“MVPD”) affiliate agreements and relationships and trademarks and other copyrighted products. Goodwill is recorded as the difference between the consideration paid to acquire entities and amounts assigned to their tangible and identifiable intangible net assets. In accordance with ASC 350, the Company’s goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of FCC licenses, are tested annually for impairment or earlier if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount. Intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized over their estimated useful lives. The impairment assessment of indefinite-lived intangibles compares the fair value of these intangible assets to their carrying value.

The Company’s goodwill impairment reviews are determined using a two-step process. The first step of the process is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment review is not necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment review is required to be performed to estimate the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

When a business within a reporting unit is disposed of, goodwill is allocated to the disposed business using the relative fair value method.

Asset impairments

Investments

Equity method investments are regularly reviewed for impairment by initially comparing their fair value to their respective carrying amounts each quarter. The Company determines the fair value of its public company investments by reference to their publicly traded stock prices. With respect to private company investments, the Company makes its estimate of fair value by considering other available information, including recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analyses, estimates based on comparable public company operating multiples and, in certain situations, balance sheet liquidation values. If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in market value has occurred, including the length of the time and extent to which the market value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and other factors influencing the fair market value, such as general market conditions.

The Company regularly reviews available-for-sale investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment’s carrying value exceeds its related market value, the duration of the market decline, the Company’s ability to hold until recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security.

The Company regularly reviews investments accounted for at cost for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which the investment’s carrying value exceeds its related estimated fair value, the duration of the estimated fair value decline, the Company’s ability to hold until recovery and the financial strength and specific prospects of the issuer of the security.

Long-lived assets

ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” and ASC 350 require that the Company periodically review the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset, an impairment adjustment is recognized if the carrying value of such asset exceeds its fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of assets; accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less their costs to sell.

Guarantees

The Company follows ASC 460, “Guarantees” (“ASC 460”). ASC 460 requires a guarantor to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing certain guarantees. Subsequently, the initial liability recognized for the guarantee is generally reduced as the Company is released from the risk under the guarantee. The Company periodically reviews the facts and circumstances pertaining to its guarantees in determining the level of related risk.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product or service has been delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

Cable Network Programming, Television and Direct Broadcast Satellite Television

Advertising revenue is recognized as the commercials are aired, net of agency commissions. Subscriber fees received from MVPDs for Cable Network Programming and Television are recognized as affiliate fee revenue in the period services are provided. Direct Broadcast Satellite Television subscription and pay-per-view revenues are recognized when programming is broadcast to subscribers, while fees for equipment rental are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

The Company classifies the amortization of cable distribution investments (capitalized fees paid to MVPDs to facilitate carriage of a cable network) against affiliate fee revenue in accordance with ASC 605-50, “Revenue Recognition—Customer Payments and Incentives.” The Company defers the cable distribution investments and amortizes the amounts on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

Filmed Entertainment

Revenues from the distribution of motion pictures are recognized in accordance with ASC 926. Revenues from the theatrical distribution of motion pictures are recognized as they are exhibited, and revenues from home entertainment sales, net of a reserve for estimated returns, are recognized on the date that DVD and Blu-ray units are made widely available for sale by retailers or when made available for viewing via digital distribution platforms and all Company-imposed restrictions on the sale or availability have expired. Revenues from television distribution are recognized when the motion picture or television series is made available to the licensee for broadcast.

Management bases its estimates of ultimate revenue for each motion picture on the historical performance of similar motion pictures, incorporating factors such as the past box office record of the lead actors and actresses, the genre of the motion picture, pre-release market research (including test market screenings) and the expected number of theaters in which the film will be released. Management updates such estimates based on information available on the actual results of each film through its life cycle.

License agreements for the broadcast of theatrical and television series in the broadcast network, syndicated television and cable television markets are routinely entered into in advance of their available date for broadcast. Cash received and amounts billed in connection with such contractual rights for which revenue is not yet recognizable is classified as deferred revenue. Because deferred revenue generally relates to contracts for the licensing of motion pictures and television series which have already been produced, the recognition of revenue for such completed product is principally only dependent upon the commencement of the availability period for broadcast under the terms of the related licensing agreement.

The Company earns and recognizes revenues as a distributor on behalf of third parties. In such cases, determining whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis is based on management’s assessment of whether the Company acts as the principal or agent in the transaction. To the extent the Company acts as the principal in a transaction, revenues are reported on a gross basis. Determining whether the Company acts as principal or agent in a transaction involves judgment and is based on an evaluation of whether the Company has the substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement.

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television programming expense and subscriber acquisition costs

Programming expenses of the Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment are the fees paid to vendors to license the programming distributed to customers. These programming expenses are recognized at the time the Company distributes the related programming. Contracts with vendors are generally multi-year agreements that provide for the Company to make payments at agreed upon rates based on the number of subscribers.

Subscriber acquisition costs in the Direct Broadcast Satellite Television segment primarily consist of amounts paid for third-party customer acquisitions, which consist of the cost of commissions paid to authorized retailers and dealers for subscribers added through their respective distribution channels and the cost of hardware and installation subsidies for subscribers. All costs, including hardware, installation and commissions, are expensed upon activation. However, where legal ownership is retained in the equipment, the cost of the equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the useful life. Additional components of subscriber acquisition costs include the cost of print, radio and television advertising, which are expensed as incurred.

Advertising expenses

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, including advertising expenses for theatrical and television productions in accordance with ASC 720-35, “Other Expenses—Advertising Cost.” Advertising expenses recognized totaled $2.9 billion, $2.2 billion and $1.9 billion for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Translation of foreign currencies

Foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into U.S. Dollars using the current rate method, whereby trading results are converted at the average rate of exchange for the period and assets and liabilities are converted at the closing rates on the period end date. The resulting translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income for the period.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are established where management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred taxes have not been provided on the cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent amounts are reinvested indefinitely.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share for the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”) is calculated by dividing Net income attributable to Twenty-First Century Fox stockholders by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Diluted earnings per share for Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is calculated similarly, except that the calculation includes the dilutive effect of the assumed issuance of shares issuable under the Company’s equity based compensation plans.

Equity based compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. ASC 718 establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees. (See Note 14 – Equity Based Compensation)

Financial instruments and derivatives

ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), requires every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability (See Note 8 – Fair Value). ASC 815 also requires that changes in the fair value of recorded derivatives be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met.

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and cost investments, approximate fair value. The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market.

The Company uses financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges to hedge its limited exposures to foreign currency exchange risks associated with the costs for producing or acquiring films and television programming abroad. All cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (See Note 8 – Fair Value). The effective changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income with foreign currency translation adjustments. Amounts are reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income when the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings. If derivatives are not designated as hedges, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings as Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, such as convertible debt securities and exchangeable securities, are separated into their host and derivative financial instrument components. The derivative component is recorded at its estimated fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in estimated fair value recorded in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Adopted

In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”), which requires the Company to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, it requires the Company to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, the Company is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 became effective for the Company for interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 resulted in the disclosure of additional information within the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (See Note 13 – Stockholders’ Equity)

Issued

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity” (“ASU 2013-05”). The objective of ASU 2013-05 is to resolve the diversity in practice regarding the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets or a business within a foreign entity. ASU 2013-05 is effective for the Company for interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2013-05 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)” (“ASU 2014-08”). The amendments in ASU 2014-08 provide guidance for the recognition of discontinued operations, change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations in ASC 205-20, “Discontinued Operations” (“ASC 205-20”) and require additional disclosures about discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective on a prospective basis for the Company for interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, subject to certain conditions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2014-08 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts from Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company for interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2014-09 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation––Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” (“ASU 2014-12”). The amendments in ASU 2014-12 require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. ASU 2014-12 is effective for the Company for interim reporting periods beginning July 1, 2016, however early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-12 to have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Entity Registrant Name	TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY FOX, INC.
CIK	0001308161
Accession number	0001564590-14-003642
Link to XBRL instance	http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1308161/000156459014003642/fox-20140630.xml
Fiscal year end	--06-30
Fiscal year focus	2014
Fiscal period focus	FY
Current balance sheet date	2014-06-30
Current year-to-date income statement start date	2013-07-01

Analysis: Nature of Business, Basis of Reporting, Significant Accounting Policies, Revenues Recognition