Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. (NASDAQ:FOX)

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. Twenty-First Century Fox considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

Cable Network Programming and 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.

Twenty-First Century Fox 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." Twenty-First Century Fox defers the cable distribution investments and amortizes the amounts on a straight-line basis over the contract period.

Filmed Entertainment

Content revenues from the distribution of motion pictures and television series 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.

License agreements for the broadcast of motion pictures 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.

Twenty-First Century Fox 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 Twenty-First Century Fox acts as the principal or agent in the transaction. To the extent Twenty-First Century Fox acts as the principal in a transaction, revenues are reported on a gross basis. Determining whether Twenty-First Century Fox acts as principal or agent in a transaction involves judgment and is based on an evaluation of whether Twenty-First Century Fox has the substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement.

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2018-08-13).

Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Income Statement, Revenues

US$ in millions

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-08-13), 10-K (filing date: 2017-08-14), 10-K (filing date: 2016-08-11), 10-K (filing date: 2015-08-13), 10-K (filing date: 2014-08-14), 10-K (filing date: 2013-08-19).