Detailed Narrative
Strong Q3 Financial Performance
Fox Corporation reported a strong fiscal third quarter with $4 billion in revenue and a record $954 million in adjusted EBITDA, up 11% year-over-year. This performance was driven by robust core advertising trends and distribution revenue growth, despite the absence of the Super Bowl broadcast from the prior year. Excluding the Super Bowl impact, advertising revenue would have grown double digits, demonstrating broad-based strength across the company.
Advertising Momentum and Upfront Outlook
The company is experiencing strong advertising momentum, particularly at FOX News, which achieved its highest third-quarter advertising revenue ever with CPMs up over 45%. This strength extends across sports, news, entertainment, and local stations. Management anticipates a healthy upfront market, with low options being taken up and strong scatter prices. The upcoming midterm election cycle is expected to bring a record $11 billion in political ad spending, further bolstering advertising revenue.
Digital Growth and Strategic Investments
Tubi continues to be a significant growth driver, with revenue up 23% and total view time increasing by 19%. Notably, Tubi achieved breakeven or better profitability for the third consecutive quarter. The FOX One platform is also exceeding expectations, contributing positively to subscriber trends and distribution revenue. The company remains thoughtful in its digital investments, with full-year FY26 net digital investments expected to be less than the $290 million spent in FY25.
Sports and News Leadership
FOX News maintained its position as the most-watched cable network and the second most-watched network in Monday through Friday Prime in April, reflecting strong audience engagement during consequential news cycles. FOX Sports delivered major wins, including a 150% increase in World Baseball Classic ratings and a 45% increase for MLB opening weekend. The acquisition of rights to two additional NFL games further solidifies Fox's partnership with the league and enhances its sports programming.
Balance Sheet Strength and Capital Allocation
Fox ended the quarter with a robust balance sheet, holding $3.6 billion in cash and $6.6 billion in debt. The company continued its share buyback program, repurchasing an additional $1.95 billion year-to-date, bringing the total cumulative amount to over $8.5 billion since 2019, representing approximately 36% of total shares outstanding. This disciplined capital allocation reflects a commitment to maximizing long-term shareholder value.