Statement from 21st Century Fox Regarding Revised Remedies to Safeguard the Independence of Sky News

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New York, NY, April 3, 2018 - 21st Century Fox ( 21CF ) today issued the following statement regarding the revised set of remedies to safeguard the independence of Sky News that 21CF submitted to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA):

We have worked diligently with the CMA throughout its extensive review. In fact, we believe that the enhanced firewall remedies we proposed to safeguard the editorial independence of Sky News addressed comprehensively and constructively the CMA's provisional concerns [1]. These enhanced remedies went above and beyond what Ofcom, the expert, independent regulator on UK broadcasting, had stated would mitigate concerns around media plurality.

We are aware that a group of politicians that is opposed to the transaction is seeking to influence the CMA and is making a number of unsupported and fanciful assertions. If the CMA were to accept at face value these assertions and be dissatisfied with enhanced remedies that are a direct and reasonable response to concerns it had raised with us, we believe that this would compromise the integrity of a system which is supposed to be objective, evidenced-based and grounded on the application of established legal principles.

We have now submitted a new, revised set of remedies should they be considered necessary by the CMA and ultimately by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport:

21CF proposed new ring-fencing remedies which would effect the legal separation between Sky News and the rest of Sky, establishing Sky News as a distinct company within the Sky Group, with its own fully independent board and under the management control of the Head of Sky News. Under this proposal, Sky News would operate entirely independently with guaranteed funding by 21CF for 15 years. Additionally, we offered personal undertakings given by 21CF's Executive Chairmen and its CEO not to influence or attempt to influence the editorial choices made by the Head of Sky News. We offered this even though the record before the CMA shows that, over the course of nearly 30 years as Sky's founding shareholder, neither 21CF, nor the Murdoch Family Trust, have ever sought to influence the editorial direction of Sky News.

Alternatively, The Walt Disney Company ( Disney ) has expressed an interest in acquiring Sky News, with a view to adding it to Disney's existing portfolio of television channels, whether or not Disney's proposed acquisition of 21CF proceeds.

We remain committed to working with the CMA to find remedies that will ensure the continued editorial independence of Sky News. We will continue to work with the regulator, and then the Secretary of State at the appropriate time, and leave open the possibility to pursue all of our legal options if necessary.

21CF has proved itself to be a genuine custodian of quality journalism over many decades. We retain a 39% stake in Sky and, subject to ultimately obtaining regulatory approval, remain focused on acquiring the remaining 61% of Sky.

About 21st Century Fox

21st Century Fox is one of the worlds leading portfolios of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.8 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, Star India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 350 international channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and a 50 per cent ownership interest in Endemol Shine Group. The Company also holds approximately 39.1 per cent of the issued shares of Sky, Europe's leading entertainment company, which serves nearly 23 million households across five countries. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.

Enquiries

Investors

Reed Nolte

1 212-852-7092

Mike Petrie

1 212-852-7130

Media

Nathaniel Brown

1 212-852-7746

Miranda Higham

44 207-019-5632

Further information

Reference is made to the announcement made on 15 December 2016 by the 21st Century Fox Board and the Independent Committee of Sky that they had reached agreement on the terms of a recommended pre-conditional cash offer by 21st Century Fox for the fully diluted share capital of Sky which 21st Century Fox and its Affiliates do not already own (the Acquisition ). The full terms and conditions of the Acquisition are set out in the announcement which was published on 15 December 2016 (the Offer Announcement ). Terms used but not defined in this announcement (the Announcement) have the meanings given in the Offer Announcement unless the context requires otherwise.

This Announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer or invitation, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Acquisition or otherwise. The Acquisition will be implemented solely pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Acquisition. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Document. Sky Shareholders are advised to read the formal documen

LINK:	https://www.21cf.com/news/21st-century-fox/2018/statement-21st-century...
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