Form 11-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 333-51434

 

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

FOX INVESTMENT PLAN

2121 Avenue of the Stars

Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

NEWS CORPORATION

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

Year Ended December 31, 2010

Contents

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     1   

Audited Financial Statements:

  

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

     2   

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

     3   

Notes to Financial Statements

     4   

Supplemental Schedules:

  

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(a) – Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions

     22   

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

     23   

Signatures

     28   

Exhibits

     29   


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Fox Retirement Board

Fox Investment Plan

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Fox Investment Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedules of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010, and delinquent participant contributions for the year then ended, are presented for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. These supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

June 24, 2011

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

 

     December 31  
     2010     2009  

Assets

    

Investments, at fair value

   $ 1,065,081,183      $ 891,967,394   

Cash

     8,271        16,061   

Receivables:

    

Notes receivable from participants

     20,458,802        17,300,698   

Employer contributions

     250,949        338,164   

Participant contributions

     517,389        676,922   

Interest and other

     137        67,218   
                

Total receivables

     21,227,277        18,383,002   
                

Total assets

     1,086,316,731        910,366,457   

Liabilities

    

Due to broker for securities purchased

     57,568        589,579   
                

Total liabilities

     57,568        589,579   
                

Net assets reflecting all investments at fair value

     1,086,259,163        909,776,878   

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     (2,815,527     (1,938,898
                

Net assets available for benefits

   $ 1,083,443,636      $ 907,837,980   
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

Additions to (deductions from) net assets attributed to:

  

Contributions:

  

Employer, net of forfeitures

   $ 39,766,432   

Participant

     83,947,233   

Rollover

     4,660,698   
        

Total contributions

     128,374,363   

Net investment income:

  

Net appreciation in fair value of investments

     95,343,424   

Interest, dividends, and other

     25,629,480   

Interest earned on notes receivable from participants

     959,908   
        

Total net investment income

     121,932,812   

Benefits paid to participants

     (74,683,414

Administrative and other expenses

     (18,105
        

Net increase

     175,605,656   

Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year

     907,837,980   
        

Net assets available for benefits at end of year

   $ 1,083,443,636   
        

See accompanying notes.

 

3


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010

1. Description of the Plan

The following description of the Fox Investment Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document and related amendments for more complete information.

General

The Plan is a defined contribution plan sponsored by Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. (the Plan Sponsor or the Company). Its purpose is to assist employees in establishing a regular savings and investment program to provide additional financial security for their retirement. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). The Plan was originally adopted effective June 1, 1984.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Plan was amended and restated in its entirety. The Plan adopted a Safe Harbor compliant structure. As a result, the employer match on eligible employee deferrals was changed to 100% of the first 1% plus 50% of the next 5% of eligible compensation contributed from the prior match of 50% of the first 6% of a participant’s compensation.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Plan adopted an amendment to increase the threshold for mandatory distributions at termination of employment from $1,000 to $5,000. If the participant’s vested interest in the Plan is less than $1,000, a cash-out distribution shall occur upon termination. If the participant’s vested interest in the Plan is at least $1,000 but not more than $5,000, the participant’s account shall automatically be rolled over to an IRA at the financial institution of the Company’s choice.

In 2010, Fox Mobile Group, Inc., Jesta Mobile Holding Inc., and Clairvot SA entered into a Purchase Agreement. Effective as of December 22, 2010, the Closing Date of the Purchase Agreement, certain employees of Fox Mobile Distribution, LLC (FMD) and Fox Mobile Entertainment, Inc. (FME) became 100% vested in their accounts in the Plan. These employees include those who were participants of the Plan immediately prior to the Closing Date and those who were employed by FMD or FME immediately after the Closing Date.

Effective March 15, 2010, the Plan was amended to allow employees of Fox Television Stations, Inc. who are members of the IATSE Locals 794/819 to participate in the Plan and to be automatically enrolled in the Plan. The Company does not provide a Company Matching Contribution, but does contribute for each participant on a pay period basis an amount equal to 1% of compensation, as defined.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Effective October 14, 2010, the Plan was amended to give years of vesting service to persons who were employees of Yardbarker, Inc. at the time of the merger with Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC and YB Merger Corporation and became employees as a result of the merger.

Effective October 29, 2010, the Plan was amended for employees of Strategic Data Corporation and its subsidiary, Fox Audience Network, Inc., at the time Strategic Data Corporation was acquired by The Rubicon Project, Inc. As a result of this transaction, employees of Strategic Data Corporation and its subsidiary, Fox Audience Network Inc., who ceased to be employees became 100% vested in their employer matching contributions and employer non-elective contributions accounts. In addition, these employees received employer matching contributions and employer non-elective contributions based on the compensation earned through the effective date as if the employees were employed on December 31, 2010.

Eligibility

The Plan is a defined contribution plan available to certain nonunion employees of the Company to which the Plan has been extended. Currently, union employees under certain collective bargaining agreements are also eligible to participate. An eligible employee can enroll in the Plan on the first day of the payroll cycle immediately following commencement of employment or the first day of any payroll cycle thereafter.

Contributions

Employees eligible to participate in the Plan are automatically enrolled in the Plan at a 3% deferral rate, unless they affirmatively opt out of participation. The following types of contributions are allowable under the terms of the Plan document:

Participant Contributions – Participants can voluntarily contribute on a before-tax and/or after-tax basis, as defined in the Plan document, subject to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Participants who have reached age 50 before the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions, which are also subject to certain limitations of the Code. After-tax contributions are subject to a Plan limitation of $5,000 per year.

Employer Matching Contributions – The Company contributes for each participant each pay period an amount equal to 100% of the first 1% plus 50% of the next 5% of eligible compensation contributed. The annual Company matching contribution may not exceed 3 1/2% of a participant’s annual compensation.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Employer Non-elective Contributions – The Company contributes for each participant each pay period a Company non-elective contribution in an amount equal to 2% of pay period compensation for each participant who (1) is ineligible to participate in a Company pension plan and is a non-collective bargaining unit eligible employee or (2) is covered by a collective bargaining agreement requiring said contribution.

Rollover Contributions – Amounts distributed to participants from other tax-qualified plans and/or individual retirement accounts may be contributed to the Plan.

The total amount contributed to a participant’s account (excluding rollover contributions) for the year ended December 31, 2010 may not exceed the lesser of (a) $49,000, or (b) 100% of the participant’s includable compensation, as defined by the Plan document and the Code.

Vesting

Participants are immediately 100% vested in their before-tax and after-tax contributions and rollover contributions. In addition, as part of the January 1, 2008 Plan amendment, the employer match vesting schedule was changed to two-year cliff vesting. Participants employed prior to January 1, 2008, will vest at 20% at the end of their first year of service consistent with the prior vesting schedule and then vest 100% at the end of their second year to comply with the amended vesting schedule.

A participant becomes 100% vested in the Employer Matching Contribution account at the earliest of the following dates:

 

   

Completion of two years of vesting service

 

   

Death

 

   

Termination of employment due to total and permanent disability

 

   

Retirement at age 65

 

   

Termination of the Plan

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

A participant becomes 100% vested in the Employer Non-elective Contribution account at the earliest of the following dates:

 

   

Completion of three years of vesting service, as defined

 

   

Death

 

   

Termination of employment due to total and permanent disability

 

   

Retirement at age 65

 

   

Termination of the Plan

Forfeitures

If a participant elects a distribution of his/her vested account balance upon termination of employment, the nonvested portion of his/her employer contribution account is forfeited. If a participant defers distribution of his/her account balance, the participant’s employer contribution account is forfeited after a consecutive 60-month period has elapsed after an employee’s termination date. In accordance with the Plan document, such forfeitures are used to reduce future Employer Matching Contributions. For the year ended December 31, 2010 forfeitures of approximately $3,694,000 were used to reduce the Employer Matching Contributions.

Forfeited balances of approximately $250,000 and $138,000 were available to reduce future contributions as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Investment Options

The plan administrator intends the Plan to constitute a Plan described in section 404(c) of ERISA. Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant may direct employee and employer contributions in 1% increments among various investment options offered by the Plan.

Participants may direct their investment balances among these various investment options at anytime, subject to trading restrictions imposed by the mutual fund companies. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Plan added the Morgan Stanley Invesco Mid Cap Growth I Fund, Dodge & Cox Stock Fund, Blackrock Inflation Protected Institutional Class Fund, and Spartan International Index Fund to the Plan’s fund menu.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

 

Participant Accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocation of the Company’s contributions, and debited for any distributions. Investment fund gains, losses, and expenses are allocated based on the participant’s account balances in each fund.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Participants may borrow from the Plan, subject to a minimum loan of $1,000 and a maximum loan of $50,000 or 50% of the participant’s vested account balance. The loans are payable over a period of one to five years, or if the proceeds are used for the purchase of a participant’s principal residence, the loans are payable over a period not to exceed 15 years. The loans bear interest at the prime rate plus 1%. The loans are secured by the pledge of the participant’s interest in the Plan. Participants may either pay off outstanding loan balances when they leave the Company or continue to make loan repayments after termination. The Trustee, Fidelity Management Trust Company, has established a loan fund for recording loan activities. Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

Payment of Benefits

Benefits to participants or beneficiaries are payable in lump sums equal to the value of the participants’ vested accounts as of the date of distribution.

Hardship withdrawals are allowed for participants incurring an immediate and heavy financial need, as defined by the Plan document. Hardship withdrawals are strictly regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and a participant must exhaust all available loan options and available distributions prior to requesting a hardship withdrawal.

Administrative Expenses

The Company may, at its discretion, elect to pay administrative expenses of the Plan. Administrative expenses not paid by the Company are paid from the assets of the Plan. Certain expenses incurred by the Plan are processing fees charged to participants for requesting a distribution or loan check to be sent via overnight mail. During the year ended December 31, 2010, $18,105 of administrative expenses were paid from the accounts of the affected participants.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared under the accrual basis of accounting.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Plan’s financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Payment of Benefits

Benefits are recorded when paid.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance of investments is limited to the carrying value of such instruments. The Plan’s concentration of credit risk and market risk is dictated by the Plan’s provisions as well as those of ERISA and the participants’ investment preference.

The Plan’s investment in News Corporation Class B Common Stock amounted to $37,412,510 and $35,168,394 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Such investments represented approximately 3% and 4% of the Plan’s total net assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For risks and uncertainties regarding News Corporation, participants should refer to the News Corporation Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 3, 2010, which should be read in connection with the News Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Investments in News Corporation Class B Common Stock, mutual funds, money market funds, common collective funds, synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (GICs), and wrapper contracts are exposed to various risks such as the financial condition of News Corporation, interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risk in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, (ASU 2010-06). ASU 2010-06 amended Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820), to clarify certain existing fair value disclosures and require a number of additional disclosures. The guidance in ASU 2010-06 clarified that disclosures should be presented separately for each “class” of assets and liabilities measured at fair value and provided guidance on how to determine the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities to be presented. ASU 2010-06 also clarified the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 introduced new requirements to disclose the amounts (on a gross basis) and reasons for any significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and present information regarding the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 assets and liabilities on a gross basis. With the exception of the requirement to present changes in Level 3 measurements on a gross basis, which is delayed until 2011, the guidance in ASU 2010-06 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Since ASU 2010-06 only affects fair value measurement disclosures, adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not affect the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

In September 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-25, Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans, (ASU 2010-25). ASU 2010-25 requires participant loans to be measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest, and classified as notes receivable from participants. Previously, loans were measured at fair value and classified as investments. ASU 2010-25 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010, and is required to be applied retrospectively. Adoption of ASU 2010-25 did not change the value of participant loans from the amount previously reported as of December 31, 2009. Participant loans of $17,300,698 have been reclassified to notes receivable from participants as of December 31, 2009 to be consistent with the December 31, 2010 presentation.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Accounting Policies (continued)

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 amended ASC 820 to converge the fair value measurement guidance in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). Some of the amendments clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, while other amendments change a particular principle in ASC 820. In addition, ASU 2011-04 requires additional fair value disclosures. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Plan management is currently evaluating the effect that the provisions of ASU 2011-04 will have on the Plan’s financial statements.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). See Note 4 for further discussion of fair value measurements.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized into the following fair value hierarchy:

 

Level 1    Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2    Quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or financial instruments without quoted market prices, but for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3    Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recognized when earned. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend dates.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2. Summary of Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Net Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value of Investments

All realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of investments is shown in the accompanying statement of changes in net assets available for benefits as net appreciation in fair value of investments.

3. Investments

The following table presents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets:

 

     December 31  
     2010      2009  

Investments at fair value:

     

American Funds AMCAP R5 Fund

   $ 118,182,684       $ 102,620,003   

Morgan Stanley Invesco Mid Cap Growth I Fund

     90,755,313         *   

Fidelity Puritan Fund

     *         116,152,644   

Julius Baer International Equity Fund II

     96,718,032         93,612,449   

Mairs & Power Growth Fund

     *         69,186,764   

Fidelity Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund

     129,506,553         46,688,802   

PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional Class

     98,452,895         86,447,663   

Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund

     *         59,759,106   

 

* Amount represents less than 5% of net assets at year-end.

The Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held, during the year ended December 31, 2010) appreciated in fair value as follows:

 

Mutual funds

   $ 94,025,313   

News Corporation Class B Common Stock

     1,318,111   
        
   $ 95,343,424   
        

 

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Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Fair Value Measurement

Mutual funds, government and corporate securities, and common stock investments are stated at quoted market prices. Investments in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are recognized at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The fair value of traditional and separate account GICs was calculated using the present value of the contracts’ future cash flow values discounted by comparable duration Wall Street Journal GIC index rates. Fair values for general fixed maturity synthetic GICs and constant duration synthetic GICs are calculated using the sum of all underlying assets’ market values provided by an external pricing source. Fair value of the synthetic GIC wrapper contracts is calculated based on the hypothetical wrap fees generated by matrix pricing. Common collective trust funds are valued based on their unadjusted net asset value as determined by the fund sponsor based on the fair value of the underlying investments held in the common collective trust fund at the measurement date. There are no redemption restrictions on the common collective trust funds. The money market fund and short-term investment fund are valued at cost plus interest earned, which approximates fair value.

 

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Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2010:

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Mutual funds:

           

Fixed income funds

   $ 103,351,716       $ —         $ —         $ 103,351,716   

International equity funds

     98,706,153         —           —           98,706,153   

Lifecycle funds

     302,654,467         —           —           302,654,467   

U.S. equity funds

     394,285,391         —           —           394,285,391   

News Corporation stock

     37,412,510         —           —           37,412,510   

Short-term investment fund

     11,372,866         —           —           11,372,866   

Money market fund

     782,209         —           —           782,209   

Variable synthetic GICs:

           

Corporate bonds

     —           1,516,588         —           1,516,588   

Stable value pooled funds

     —           2,827,571         —           2,827,571   

Traditional GICs

     —           3,245,291         —           3,245,291   

Fixed maturity synthetic GICs:

           

Asset-backed securities

     10,506,511         —           —           10,506,511   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     7,080,788         —           —           7,080,788   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     12,419,172         —           —           12,419,172   

Constant duration synthetic GICs:

           

Asset-backed security index funds

     —           11,164,040         —           11,164,040   

Collective fund

     —           27,800,588         —           27,800,588   

Commercial mortgage-backed security funds

     —           2,080,846         —           2,080,846   

Government bond funds

     —           27,409,197         —           27,409,197   

Mortgage-backed security funds

     —           10,303,472         —           10,303,472   

Wrap contracts

     —           —           161,807         161,807   
                                   

Total assets at fair value

   $ 978,571,783       $ 86,347,593       $ 161,807       $ 1,065,081,183   
                                   

 

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Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

 

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Level 3 Assets
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 
     Wrap Contracts  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 215,954   

Total losses included in changes in net assets

     (54,147
        

Balance, end of year

   $ 161,807   
        

The amount of total losses for the period included in changes in net assets attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date

   $ (54,147
        

Unrealized losses included in changes in net assets for the period above are reported in net appreciation in fair value of investments in the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.

 

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Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4. Fair Value Measurement (continued)

 

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Mutual funds:

           

Balanced fund

   $ 116,152,644       $ —         $ —         $ 116,152,644   

Fixed income fund

     86,447,663         —           —           86,447,663   

International equity fund

     93,612,449         —           —           93,612,449   

Lifecycle funds

     122,930,094         —           —           122,930,094   

U.S. equity funds

     312,159,557         —           —           312,159,557   

News Corporation stock

     35,168,394         —           —           35,168,394   

Short-term investment fund

     9,699,584         —           —           9,699,584   

Money market fund

     1,242,143         —           —           1,242,143   

Variable synthetic GICs:

           

Corporate bonds

     —           1,523,508         —           1,523,508   

Stable value pooled funds

     —           2,730,837         —           2,730,837   

Traditional GICs

     —           3,194,826         —           3,194,826   

Fixed maturity synthetic GICs:

           

Asset-backed securities

     13,495,393         —           —           13,495,393   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     11,348,238         —           —           11,348,238   

Residential mortgage-backed securities

     19,049,274         —           —           19,049,274   

Constant duration synthetic GICs:

           

Asset-backed security index funds

     —           15,933,157         —           15,933,157   

Collective fund

     —           10,081,764         —           10,081,764   

Commercial mortgage-backed security funds

     —           4,011,348         —           4,011,348   

Government bond funds

     —           22,462,535         —           22,462,535   

Mortgage-backed security funds

     —           10,508,032         —           10,508,032   

Wrap contracts

     —           —           215,954         215,954   
                                   

Total assets at fair value

   $ 821,305,433       $ 70,446,007       $ 215,954       $ 891,967,394   
                                   

 

16


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Investment Contracts with Insurance Companies

The Standish Mellon Income Fund includes synthetic GICs and bank investment contracts. This fund is presented at fair value. The adjustment from fair value to contract value for the fully benefit-responsive synthetic GICs held by this fund is based on the contract value as reported by Standish Mellon, which represents contributions made under the contracts, plus earnings, less withdrawals and administrative expenses, and excludes the short-term investment fund.

The average yields for the Standish Mellon Income Fund are as follows as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

 

     2010     2009  

Average yield:

    

Based on actual earnings

     3.24 %      3.72

Based on interest rate credited to participants

     3.23 %      3.70

The fair values, contract values, and adjustments to contract value for the synthetic GICs, traditional GICs, and common/collective trust that hold GICs as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:

 

     2010  
     Fair Value      Contract Value      Adjustment to
Contract  Value
 

Synthetic GICs

   $ 110,443,009       $ 107,710,759       $ (2,732,250 ) 

Traditional GICs

     3,245,291         3,208,893         (36,398 ) 

Common/collective trust

     2,827,571         2,780,692         (46,879 ) 
                          
   $ 116,515,871       $ 113,700,344       $ (2,815,527
                          

 

     2009  
     Fair Value      Contract Value      Adjustment to
Contract Value
 

Synthetic GICs

   $ 108,629,203       $ 106,815,535       $ (1,813,668

Traditional GICs

     3,194,826         3,090,517         (104,309

Common/collective trust

     2,730,837         2,709,916         (20,921
                          
   $ 114,554,866       $ 112,615,968       $ (1,938,898
                          

 

17


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Investment Contracts with Insurance Companies (continued)

 

The fair values of the assets underlying the synthetic GICs, by type of securities, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:

 

     2010     2009  

U.S. government securities

   $ 75,922,748      $ 89,169,989   

Corporate obligations

     34,358,454        19,243,260   

Fair value of wrappers

     161,807        215,954   
                

Fair value of investments

     110,443,009        108,629,203   

Difference between fair value and contract value of synthetic GICs

     (2,732,250 )      (1,813,668
                

Contract value of synthetic GICs

   $ 107,710,759      $ 106,815,535   
                

The Standish Mellon Income Fund consists of three types of investment contracts. All investment contracts are benefit-responsive.

Guaranteed Investment Contracts

Traditional GICs are unsecured general account obligations of insurance companies. The obligation is backed by the general account assets of the insurance company that writes the investment contract. The crediting rate on this product is typically fixed for the life of the investment.

Separate account GICs are investments in a segregated account of assets maintained by an insurance company for the benefit of the investors. The total return of the segregated account assets supports the separate account GIC’s return. The credited rate on this product will reset periodically, and it will not have an interest rate of less than 0%.

Fixed Maturity Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts

Generally, fixed maturity synthetic GICs consist of a market-valued asset or collection of market-valued assets such as mortgage-backed securities, and other investment securities, that are owned by the fund, or Plan, and a benefit-responsive, book value wrap contract purchased for the portfolio. The wrap contract provides book value accounting for the asset and assures that book value, benefit-responsive payments will be made for participant-directed withdrawals. The crediting rate of the contract is set at the start of the contract and typically resets every quarter. Generally, these contracts are held to maturity. The initial crediting rate is established based on the market interest rates at the time the initial asset is purchased, and the interest crediting rate cannot be less than 0%.

 

18


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Investment Contracts with Insurance Companies (continued)

 

Variable synthetic GICs consist of an asset or collection of assets that are managed by the bank or insurance company and are held in a bankruptcy remote vehicle for the benefit of the fund or Plan. The variable synthetic GICs are benefit-responsive and provide next day liquidity at book value. The crediting rate on this product resets every quarter based on the then current market index rates and an investment spread. The investment spread is established at the time of issuance and is guaranteed by the issuer for the life of the investment.

Constant Duration Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts

Constant duration synthetic GICs consist of a portfolio of securities in collective investment funds with underlying investments in U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities owned by the fund and a benefit-responsive, book value wrap contract purchased for the portfolio. The wrap contract amortizes gains and losses of the underlying securities over the portfolio duration, and assures that book value, benefit-responsive payments will be made for participant-directed withdrawals. The crediting rate resets every quarter based on the book value of the contract, the market yield of the underlying assets, the fair value of the underlying assets and the average duration of the underlying assets. The crediting rate aims at converging the book value of the contract and the fair value of the underlying portfolio over the duration of the contract and, therefore, will be affected by movements in interest rates and/or changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolio. The initial crediting rate is established based on the market interest rates at the time the underlying portfolio is first established and it will not have an interest crediting rate of less than 0%.

Certain events could limit the ability of the Standish Mellon Income Fund to transact withdrawals and transfers at contract value. Such events include the following:

 

   

Company-initiated events including events within the control of the Plan or Plan Sponsor that would have a material and adverse effect on the Standish Mellon Income Fund.

 

   

Company communications designed to induce participants to transfer from the Standish Mellon Income Fund.

 

   

Competing fund transfer or violation of equity wash or equivalent rules in place.

 

   

Changes of qualification status of the Company or the Plan.

 

19


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5. Investment Contracts with Insurance Companies (continued)

 

The plan administrator does not believe that the occurrence of any of the above events, which would limit the Standish Mellon Income Fund’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.

In general, issuers may terminate the contract and settle at other than contract value if the qualification status of the employer or Plan changes, breach of material obligations under the contract and misrepresentation by the contract holder, or failure of the underlying portfolio to conform to the pre-established investment guidelines.

6. Related-Party Transactions

The Plan engages in certain transactions involving Fidelity Management Trust Company, the Trustee, and News Corporation, the parent company, which are parties-in-interest as defined by ERISA. These transactions involve the purchase and sale of News Corporation’s common stock and investing Plan monies in money market and mutual funds managed by Fidelity Management Trust Company or its related affiliates. Fees paid by the Plan Sponsor to Fidelity Management Trust Company for the year ended December 31, 2010, were not significant. Investments managed by Fidelity Management Trust Company amounted to $446,304,216 and $389,077,463 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

7. Income Tax Status

The Plan has received a determination letter from the IRS dated April 24, 2009, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualified status. The Plan Sponsor has indicated that it will take the necessary steps, if any, to maintain the tax qualified status of the Plan.

Plan management evaluates any uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan and has concluded that as of December 31, 2010, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2007.

 

20


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8. Plan Termination

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate or amend the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. Upon termination of the Plan or upon the complete discontinuance of contributions under the Plan, all participants shall become 100% vested in their accounts, after payment of any expenses properly chargeable thereto.

9. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets per the financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, to net assets per the Form 5500:

 

     2010      2009  

Net assets per the financial statements

   $ 1,083,443,636       $ 907,837,980   

Add: Adjustment for fair value to contract value of synthetic GICs and common/collective trust

     2,779,129         1,834,589   
                 

Net assets per the Form 5500

   $ 1,086,222,765       $ 909,672,569   
                 

The following is a reconciliation of the net appreciation in fair value of investments, interest, dividends and other income (investment income) per the financial statements to the Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2010:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2010
 
  
  

Total net investment income per the financial statements

   $ 121,932,812   

Add: Current year adjustment for fair value to contract value of synthetic GICs and common/collective trust

     2,779,129   

Subtract: Prior year adjustment for fair value to contract value of synthetic GICs and common/collective trust

     (1,834,589
        

Total net investment income per the Form 5500

   $ 122,877,352   
        

Traditional GICs are reported at contract value in the Form 5500. The Synthetic GICs and common/collective trust that holds GICs are reported at fair value in the Form 5500 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

21


Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Schedules

 


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(a) – Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions

December 31, 2010

 

Participant
Contributions
Transferred

Late to Plan

    

Total that Constitute Nonexempt Prohibited Transactions

   Totally Fully
Corrected
Under
VFCP and PTE

2002–51
 

Check here

if Late Participant

Loan

Repayments

are included

    

Contributions

Not Corrected

  

Contributions

Corrected

Outside

VFCP

  

Contributions

Pending

Correction in

VFCP

  
  $                49,672       $                                                 —      $                                     49,672    $                                         —      $             —     

 

22


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2010

 

Identity of Issue    Description of Investment    Current Value  

Company Stock

       

*News Corporation Common Stock

     

News Corporation Class B

   Common Stock, 2,278,472 shares    $ 37,412,510   

Short-Term Investments

     

*Fidelity Management Trust Company

   Short-term investment fund; 0.21%      11,372,866   

Money Market Portfolio

     

*Fidelity Management Trust Company

   Money Market portfolio – Class 1      782,209   

Common Collective Trust

     

Goode Stable Value Trust Fund

   Collective fund; 2.32%      2,827,571   

Synthetic GICs

     

Natixis Financial Products, Inc.

   Maturity 7/19/11, 1.25% yield      1,516,588   

ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company

     

Blackrock

   1-3 Year Credit Bond Index Fund, 551,747 units      5,893,487   

Blackrock

   1-3 Year Government Bond Index Fund, 30,518 units      3,330,513   

Blackrock

   Asset-Backed Security Index Fund, 287,328 units      8,513,225   

Blackrock

   Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security Fund, 71,490     units      1,586,992   

Blackrock

   Int Term Credit Bond Index Fund, 163,721 units      6,957,041   

Blackrock

   Intermediate Government Bond I, 83,907 units      3,093,348   

Blackrock

   Long Term Government Bond Index Fund, 30,654 units      1,630,992   

Blackrock

   Mortgage-Backed Security Index Fund, 185,774 units      7,858,233   

Wrapper

        80,140   
           

Fair value of contract

        38,943,971   

Rabobank Nederland – FOX060201

     

Blackrock

   1-3 Year Credit Bond Index Fund, 171,698 units      1,833,821   

Blackrock

   1-3 Year Government Bond Index Fund, 9,498 units      1,036,616   

Blackrock

   Asset-Backed Security Index Fund, 89,467 units      2,650,815   

Blackrock

   Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security Fund, 22,247     units      493,854   

Blackrock

   Int Term Credit Bond Index Fund, 50,923 units      2,163,914   

Blackrock

   Intermediate Government Bond I, 26,104 units      962,362   

Blackrock

   Long Term Government Bond Index Fund, 9,531 units      507,103   

Blackrock

   Mortgage-Backed Security Index Fund, 57,807 units      2,445,239   

Wrapper

        62,483   
           

Fair value of contract

        12,156,207   

 

23


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year) (continued)

December 31, 2010

 

Identity of Issue    Description of Investment    Current Value  

Synthetic GICs (continued)

       

Prudential Trust Company Collective Trust

   Collective fund; 2.73%    $ 27,800,588   

Wrapper

        16,020   
           

Fair value of contract

        27,816,608   

Monumental Life Insurance Co.

     

(Aegon) – MDA00920TR

   Maturity 1/7/2011, 4.22% yield   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 05-LDP2; Class A2; 1/7/11;

    $1,000,000; 4.58%

     111,773   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 2006-CD2; Class A2; 1/7/11;

    $1,000,000; 5.41%

     451,489   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2743; Class OD; 1/7/11;

    $1,500,000; 5.00%

     1,562,060   

Wrapper

        24   
           

Fair value of contract

        2,125,346   

Bank of America, N.A. 03 – 049

   Maturity 10/15/2013; 5.14%   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2763; Class PC; 4/15/11;

    $1,000,000; 4.50%

     117,499   

Citibank Credit Card

  

Series 2006-A4; Class A4; 5/10/11;

    $1,000,000; 5.45%

     1,025,221   

Rate Reduction Bonds

  

Series 04-1; Class A2; 11/15/12;

    $1,750,000; 4.81%

     1,097,035   

GNMA Project Loan Corp.

  

Series 2008-8; Class A; 9/17/12;

    $1,500,000; 3.61%

     1,080,789   

Citibank Credit Card

  

Series 2008-A4; Class A4; 3/15/13;

    $1,500,000; 4.65%

     1,616,852   

Auto

  

Series 2007-A; Class A4; 1/9/12;

    $1,250,000; 5.28%

     1,156,108   

Auto

  

Series 2008-C; Class A4A; 10/17/11;

    $1,000,000; 5.16%

     1,044,667   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2870; Class AK; 10/15/13;

    $1,500,000; 5.00%

     1,569,796   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2760; Class PC; 8/15/12;

    $1,500,000; 5.00%

     1,551,412   

 

24


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year) (continued)

December 31, 2010

 

Identity of Issue    Description of Investment    Current Value  

Synthetic GICs (continued)

       

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 2001-C2; Class A3; 10/13/11;

    $1,255,000; 6.50%

   $ 930,254   

Rate Reduction Bonds

  

Series 2001-1; Class A3; 5/1/13;

    $2,000,000; 6.48%

     1,270,380   

GNMA Project Loan Corp.

  

Series 2008-92; Class AB; 12/17/12;

    $2,000,000; 3.52%

     1,906,729   

Wrapper

        (1,438
           

Fair value of contract

        14,365,304   

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank – AFox01

   Maturity 1/16/2014; 4.56%   

Credit Cards

  

Series 2008-A9; Class A9; 5/15/11

    $2,000,000; 4.26%

     2,031,311   

Rate Redu Bonds

  

Series 2005-1; Class A3; 9/15/11;

    $1,000,000; 4.13%

     259,697   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 01-CF2; Class A4; 1/18/11;

    $720,000; 6.51%

     64,933   

GNMA Project Loan Corp.

  

Series 06-67; Class A; 1/16/14;

    $1,000,000; 3.95%

     796,462   

GNMA Project Loan Corp.

  

Series 2008-22; Class A; 8/16/13;

    $1,500,000; 3.50%

     1,391,988   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 2004-C3; Class A3; 5/10/13;

    $1,500,000; 4.87%

     1,536,784   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2857; Class BG; 10/17/11;

    $1,000,000; 4.50%

     374,124   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2900; Class PB; 11/15/12;

    $1,250,000; 4.50%

     607,469   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

  

Series 2875; Class PY; 8/15/11;

    $1,000,000; 4.50%

     411,197   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

  

Series 06-CB14; Class A2; 3/12/12;

    $1,000,000; 5.44%

     999,164   

Wrapper

        526   
           

Fair value of contract

        8,473,655   

 

25


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year) (continued)

December 31, 2010

 

Identity of Issue    Description of Investment    Current Value  
Synthetic GICs (continued)        

Natixis Financial Products, Inc.

     

WR-1816-01

   Maturity 1/15/2014; 4.81%   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

   Series 05-C3; Class A2; 1/15/14;
    $1,000,000; 4.64%
   $ 911,944   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

   Series 2785; Class NA; 1/18/11;
    $1,000,000; 4.00%
     3,956   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

   Series 2005-CIP1; Class A2, 8/13/12;
    $1,000,000; 4.96%
     751,436   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

   Series 06-LDP6; Class A2, 3/15/11;
    $1,000,000; 5.38%
     766,994   

Commercial Mortgage Backed Sec

   Series 06-T22; Class A2, 4/12/11;
    $1,000,000; 5.47%
     556,017   

Auto

   Series 2007-B; Class A4, 11/15/11;
    $1,500,000; 5.16%
     1,005,240   

Federal Home Loan Corp.

   Series 2780; Class LD, 12/17/12;
    $1,000,000; 5.00%
     1,045,691   

Wrapper

        4,052   
           

Fair value of contract

        5,045,330   

Total Fair Value of Synthetic GICs

        110,281,202   

Total Fair Value of Wrappers

        161,807   
           

Total Fair Value of Synthetic GICs

        110,443,009   

Traditional GICs

     

Metropolitan Life - GAC 31951

   Maturity 8/15/12, 4.07% yield      1,610,266   

New York Life - GAC 34278

   Maturity 10/14/11, 3.59% yield      1,598,627   
           

Total Fair Value of Traditional GICs

        3,208,893   

 

26


Table of Contents

Fox Investment Plan

 

    EIN: 20-2141557   Plan Number: 003    

Schedule H, Part IV, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets

(Held at End of Year) (continued)

December 31, 2010

 

Identity of Issue    Description of Investment      Current Value   
Mutual Funds        

Morgan Stanley

  

Morgan Stanley Invesco Mid Cap Growth I Fund

   $ 90,755,313   

Dodge & Cox

  

Stock Fund

     41,633,997   

American Funds

  

AMCAP R5 Fund

     118,182,684   

Julius Baer

  

International Equity Fund II

     96,718,032   

PIMCO

  

Total Return Fund Institutional Class

     98,452,895   

Allianz

  

NFJ Small Cap Value Fund Institutional Class

     14,206,844   

Blackrock

  

Inflation Protected Institutional Class

     4,898,821   

*Fidelity

  

Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund

     129,506,553   

*Fidelity

  

Spartan International Index Fund

     1,988,121   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom Income Fund

     984,416   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2010 Fund

     13,178,076   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2020 Fund

     34,949,482   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2030 Fund

     52,022,500   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2040 Fund

     41,057,849   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2015 Fund

     22,337,255   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2025 Fund

     49,589,663   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2035 Fund

     48,377,920   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2045 Fund

     26,033,438   

*Fidelity

  

Freedom 2050 Fund

     14,123,868   
           

Total mutual funds

        898,997,727   

Total investments

        1,065,044,785   

*Participant loans

  

Interest rates ranging from 4.25% to
11.00% and maturities through 2025

     20,458,802   
           
      $ 1,085,503,587   
           

 

* Represents a party-in-interest as defined by ERISA.

 

27


Table of Contents

Signatures

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

FOX INVESTMENT PLAN
By:  

/s/ Michele Lee

  Michele Lee
  Vice President International Benefits and Domestic Retirement Employee Benefits,
  Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.

Date: June 24, 2011

 

28


Table of Contents

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

23.1

   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP

 

29