-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RIjOv/BWj8MgJLtjKj12Mdcl0NdfQ9gbdhk8pcui4tU0lnmAPcftPfb9kupT7z+e oPNVSq8zLH8fX+uo3l+JyA== 0001193125-07-124875.txt : 20070529 0001193125-07-124875.hdr.sgml : 20070528 20070529171032 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-07-124875 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-4 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 13 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070529 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070529 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEWS AMERICA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001054263 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-143335 FILM NUMBER: 07884407 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1013 CENTRE RD CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19805 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEWS CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001308161 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NEWSPAPERS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711] IRS NUMBER: 260075658 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-143335-01 FILM NUMBER: 07884408 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-852-7000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10036 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NEWS CORPORATION, INC. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20041108 S-4 1 ds4.htm FORM S-4 Form S-4
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2007

Registration No. 333-            


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   2711   13-3249610

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

(212) 852-7000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   2711   26-0075658

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

(212) 852-7000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


Lawrence A. Jacobs, Esq.

News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

(212) 852-7000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies of communications to:

Amy Bowerman Freed, Esq.

Hogan & Hartson LLP

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

(212) 918-3000

 


Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:    As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

 


CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 


Title of each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  

Amount

to be

Registered

  

Proposed Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit (1)

 

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate Offering
Price (1)

  

Amount of

Registration
Fee

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037.

   $1,000,000,000    100%   $1,000,000,000    $30,700

Guarantee of the 6.15% Senior Notes.

   $1,000,000,000   

(2)

  (2)    None

Total

   $1,000,000,000    —     $1,000,000,000    $30,700

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, no separate consideration will be received for the guarantee.

The registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY     , 2007

 

PROSPECTUS   LOGO

News America Incorporated

EXCHANGE OFFER OF

US$1,000,000,000 OF OUR 6.15% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2037

 


Unconditionally Guaranteed by

News Corporation

 


THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT

5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,                     , 2007, UNLESS EXTENDED.

Terms of the exchange offer:

 

   

The exchange notes are being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are being offered in exchange for the original notes that were previously issued in an offering exempt from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s registration requirements. The terms of the exchange offer are summarized below and are more fully described in this prospectus.

 

   

We will exchange all original notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

   

You may withdraw tenders of original notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

   

We believe that the exchange of original notes will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but you should see “The Exchange Offer—Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer” and “Description of the Notes—Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer” on pages 15 and 31, respectively, of this prospectus for more information.

 

   

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

 

   

The terms of the exchange notes are substantially identical to the original notes, except that the exchange notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the original notes do not apply to the exchange notes.

 

   

News Corporation will guarantee the exchange notes. If we do not make payments on the exchange notes, News Corporation must make them instead.

 

   

We do not intend to list the exchange notes on any securities exchange or to have them approved for any automated quotation system.

 


Investments in these securities involve risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page 6.

 


Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2007.

This prospectus, the letter of transmittal and the notice of guaranteed delivery are first being mailed to all holders of the original notes on                     , 2007.


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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL CREATE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF NEWS CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY OFFERED HEREBY OR AN OFFER TO SELL ANY SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SPEAKS ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS UNLESS THE INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY INDICATES THAT ANOTHER DATE APPLIES.

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     Page

Where You Can Find More Information

   ii

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

   ii

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   iii

Prospectus Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   6

The Exchange Offer

   7

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of News Corporation

   15

Use of Proceeds

   16

News America and News Corporation

   16

Description of Certain Indebtedness and Intercompany Obligations

   18

Selected Historical Financial Information of News Corporation

   18

Description of the Notes

   21

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

   36

Plan of Distribution

   37

Legal Matters

   38

Experts

   38

 

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This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this document. This information is available to you at no cost, upon your request. You can request this information by writing or telephoning us at the following address: News America Incorporated, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone number (212) 852-7059).

In order to obtain timely delivery, you must request information no later than                     , 2007, which is five business days before the scheduled expiration of the exchange offer.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

News Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, and files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC.

You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of all or any part of such material by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. For more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room, call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports and other information about issuers who file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address of the site is http://www.sec.gov. Some, but not all, of News Corporation’s publicly filed information is available through the SEC’s web site. You may also obtain certain of these documents at News Corporation’s website at www.newscorp.com. We are not incorporating the contents of the websites of the SEC, News Corporation or any other person into this document. We are only providing information about how you may obtain certain documents that are incorporated into this document by reference at these websites. Reports and other information concerning News Corporation may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

This prospectus forms part of the registration statement filed by News America Incorporated and News Corporation with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. This prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the registration statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows News Corporation to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means important information may be disclosed to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that News Corporation has previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about News Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and their finances.

News Corporation has filed with the SEC, pursuant to the Exchange Act, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, filed August 23, 2006, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2006, December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, filed November 9, 2006, February 7, 2007 and May 9, 2007, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed September 7, 2006, September 12, 2006, October 26, 2006, December 14, 2006, December 20, 2006, December 26, 2006, January 4, 2007, February 1, 2007, February 9, 2007, February 12, 2007, February 13, 2007, February 14, 2007, February 15, 2007, February 20, 2007, February 21, 2007, February 22, 2007, February 23, 2007, February 26, 2007,

 

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February 27, 2007, February 28, 2007, March 1, 2007, March 2, 2007, March 2, 2007, March 5, 2007, March 6, 2007, March 8, 2007, March 9, 2007, March 12, 2007, March 13, 2007, March 14, 2007, March 15, 2007, March 16, 2007, March 19, 2007, April 9, 2007, May 1, 2007, May 14, 2007, May 16, 2007, May 17, 2007, May 18, 2007, May 21, 2007, May 22, 2007, May 23, 2007, May 24, 2007 and May 29, 2007 and a Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed September 7, 2006.

Reports and other information filed by News Corporation with the SEC following the date hereof and prior to the termination of the exchange offer, including News Corporation’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and Proxy Statement filed on Schedule 14A, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Statements contained in this document as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in such document are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed with the SEC, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

We will provide to you upon written or oral request, without charge, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding exhibits to such information unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein). Requests for copies of such information relating to News Corporation should be directed to: News America Incorporated, 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, Attention: Investor Relations (telephone number (212) 852-7059).

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this prospectus that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, or that include the words “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “forecasts,” “designed,” “goal,” or the negative of those words or other comparable words are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and are based on certain assumptions and analyses made in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about News Corporation and its subsidiaries and businesses, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere, and are not guarantees of performance. Other important factors that could affect the future results of News Corporation and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include:

 

   

deterioration in worldwide economic and business conditions;

 

   

rapidly changing technology challenging News Corporation’s businesses’ ability to adapt successfully;

 

   

exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

 

   

significant changes in News Corporation’s assumptions about customer acceptance, overall market penetration and competition from providers of alternative products and services;

 

   

unexpected challenges created by legislative and regulatory developments;

 

   

changes in News Corporation’s business strategy and development plans;

 

   

the military activity in Iraq, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power or territory and changes in international political conditions as a result of these events may continue to affect the United States and the global economy and may increase other risks; and

 

   

other risks described from time to time in periodic reports that News Corporation files with the SEC.

 

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Because the above factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by News Corporation, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and it should not be assumed that the statements made herein remain accurate as of any future date. News Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or update or revise the reasons that actual results or outcomes could materially differ from those anticipated in each forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the other documents filed by News Corporation with the SEC.

THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED ACCEPT SURRENDERS OF ORIGINAL NOTES FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should read the entire prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference, before making an investment decision. When used in this prospectus, the terms “News America,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to News America Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, and “News Corporation” refers to News Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

NEWS AMERICA AND NEWS CORPORATION

News America

News America, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation, is an operating company and holding company, which, together with its subsidiaries, operates in a number of industry segments, including magazines and inserts, newspapers and book publishing.

News Corporation

News Corporation is a diversified entertainment company, which manages and reports its business in eight segments:

 

   

Filmed Entertainment, which principally consists of the production and acquisition of live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in all formats in all entertainment media worldwide, and the production of original television programming in the United States and Canada.

 

   

Television, which principally consists of the operation of 35 full power broadcast television stations, including nine duopolies, in the United States (of these stations, 25 are affiliated with the FOX network and ten are affiliated with the MyNetworkTV network); the broadcasting of network programming in the United States; and the development, production and broadcasting of television programming in Asia.

 

   

Cable Network Programming, which principally consists of the licensing and production of programming distributed through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States.

 

   

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television, which principally consists of the distribution of premium programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy.

 

   

Magazines and Inserts, which principally consists of the publication of freestanding inserts, which are promotional booklets containing consumer offers distributed through insertion in local Sunday newspapers in the United States, and the provision of in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers, in the United States and Canada.

 

   

Newspapers, which principally consists of the publication of four national newspapers in the United Kingdom, the publication of more than 110 newspapers in Australia, and the publication of a mass circulation, metropolitan morning newspaper in the United States.

 

   

Book Publishing, which principally consists of the publication of English language books throughout the world.

 

   

Other, which includes NDS Group plc, a company engaged in the business of supplying open end-to-end digital technology and services to digital pay-television platform operators and content providers; News Outdoor, an advertising business which offers display advertising primarily in outdoor locations throughout Russia and Eastern Europe; Fox Interactive Media, which operates News Corporation’s Internet activities; and Global Cricket Corporation, which has the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

 

 

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News America’s and News Corporation’s principal executive offices are located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036. The telephone number at that address is (212) 852-7000.

The Exchange Offer

On March 2, 2007, we completed the offering of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037. The offering was made in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. As part of the offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchaser of the original notes in which we agreed, among other things, to deliver this prospectus and to complete an exchange offer for the original notes. Below is a summary of the exchange offer.

 

Securities offered

Up to $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of exchange 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 which have been registered under the Securities Act. The form and terms of these exchange notes are identical in all material respects to those of the original notes. The exchange notes, however, will not contain transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the original notes.

 

The exchange offer

We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of our 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 which have been registered under the Securities Act, for each $1,000 principal amount of our outstanding 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037.

 

 

In order to be exchanged, an original note must be properly tendered and accepted. All original notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be exchanged. As of the date of this prospectus, there are $1,000,000,000 principal amount of 6.15% original notes outstanding. We will issue exchange notes promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer.

 

Resales

Based on interpretations by the Staff of the SEC, as detailed in a series of no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as long as:

 

   

you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

you are not participating, do not intend to participate and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in a distribution of the exchange notes; and

 

   

you are not our affiliate.

 

 

Rule 405 under the Securities Act defines “affiliate” as a person that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified person. In the absence of an exemption, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with the resale of the

 

 

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exchange notes. If you fail to comply with these requirements you may incur liabilities under the Securities Act, and we will not indemnify you for such liabilities.

 

 

Each broker or dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for original notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any offer to resell, resale, or other transfer of the exchange notes issued in the exchange offer.

 

Expiration date

5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2007, unless we extend the expiration date.

 

Withdrawal rights

You may withdraw tenders of the original notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. For more information, see the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Terms of the Exchange Offer.”

 

Conditions to the exchange offer

The exchange offer is subject to certain customary conditions, which we may waive in our sole discretion. For more information, see the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The exchange offer is not conditioned upon the exchange of any minimum principal amount of original notes.

 

Procedures for tendering original notes

If you wish to accept the exchange offer, you must (1) complete, sign and date the accompanying letter of transmittal, or a facsimile copy of such letter, in accordance with its instructions and the instructions in this prospectus, and (2) mail or otherwise deliver the executed letter of transmittal, together with the original notes and any other required documentation to the exchange agent at the address set forth in the letter of transmittal. If you are a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you hold original notes through The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and wish to accept the exchange offer, you must do so pursuant to DTC’s automated tender offer program. By executing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us, among other things, (1) that you are, or the person or entity receiving the exchange notes is, acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of business, (2) that neither you nor any such other person or entity has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and (3) that neither you nor any such other person or entity is our affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

 

If you are a beneficial owner whose original notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and you wish to tender in the exchange offer, we urge

 

 

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you to promptly contact the person or entity in whose name your original notes are registered and instruct that person or entity to tender on your behalf. If you wish to tender in the exchange offer on your own behalf, you must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering your original notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of your original notes in your name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the person or entity in whose name your original notes are registered. The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time.

 

Guaranteed delivery procedures

If you wish to tender your original notes and your original notes are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your original notes, the letter of transmittal or any other documents required to the exchange agent (or comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer) prior to the expiration date, you must tender your original notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.”

 

Taxation

The exchange pursuant to the exchange offer will generally not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For more details, see the sections entitled “The Exchange Offer—Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer” and “Description of the Notes—Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

 

Consequences of failure to exchange

If you do not exchange the original notes, they will remain entitled to all the rights and preferences and will continue to be subject to the limitations contained in the indenture. However, following the exchange offer, all outstanding original notes will still be subject to the same restrictions on transfer, and we will have no obligation to register outstanding original notes under the Securities Act.

 

Use of proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. For more details, see the “Use of Proceeds” section.

 

Exchange agent

The Bank of New York is serving as the exchange agent in connection with the exchange offer. The address, telephone number and facsimile number of the exchange agent are listed under the heading “The Exchange Offer—Exchange Agent.”

The Notes

 

Issuer

News America Incorporated.

 

Guarantor

News Corporation is a guarantor (the “Guarantor”) of the original notes and the exchange notes. If we cannot make payments on the original notes or the exchange notes when they are due, the Guarantor must make them instead.

 

Securities offered

US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037.

 

 

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Maturities

March 1, 2037.

 

Interest payment dates

March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing September 1, 2007.

 

Redemption

The notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity, except as set forth herein. See “Description of the Notes—Redemption by the Company.”

 

Ranking

The notes will be direct unsecured obligations and will constitute indebtedness (as defined herein) ranking pari passu with all other unsecured indebtedness that is not by its terms subordinated to the notes. The guarantee constitutes indebtedness of the Guarantor, and is intended to rank pari passu with all other unsecured indebtedness of the Guarantor, which is not by its terms subordinated to the guarantee. See “Description of the Notes.”

 

Change of control

If we experience a change of control triggering event as described in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event,” we must offer to repurchase the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

 

Certain covenants

The indenture, among other things, limits our ability to incur liens and the ability of our subsidiaries to issue guarantees. The indenture also restricts our ability and the ability of News Corporation to sell all or substantially all of our or its assets or to merge with or into other companies. For more details, see “Description of the Notes—Successor Corporation” and “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants.”

 

Absence of public market for the notes

The notes will constitute a new class of securities for which there is no established public trading market. There has been no public market for the original notes, and it is not currently anticipated that an active public market for the exchange notes will develop. We currently do not intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated quotation system. Although the initial purchasers have informed us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes, they are not obligated to do so and any such market-making activity may be discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the notes. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Before you participate in the exchange offer, you should be aware that there are various risks, including the ones listed below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in evaluating your participation in the exchange offer.

Risk Factors Relating to the Notes and Guarantees

Structural Risks. The operations of News Corporation worldwide and the operations of News America in the United States are conducted through subsidiaries, and, therefore, News Corporation and News America are dependent upon the earnings and cash flows of their subsidiaries to meet debt service obligations, including obligations with respect to the notes. To the extent that subsidiaries of the Guarantor and News America are not themselves guarantors of the notes, the claims of holders of the notes will be subordinate to claims of creditors of these subsidiaries with respect to the assets of such subsidiaries in the event of bankruptcy or reorganization of such subsidiaries.

Risks Concerning the Guarantee. The Guarantee (as defined below in the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, as supplemented, among the Company, the Guarantor and The Bank of New York, as trustee (as supplemented, the “indenture”)) constitutes senior indebtedness of the Guarantor and is intended to rank pari passu with all present and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Guarantor. The management of News Corporation believes that the Guarantee, together with the events of default described under “Description of the Notes,” makes the indebtedness under the notes substantially equal in right of payment to the indebtedness under the revolving credit agreement, dated as of May 23, 2007 (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). Because the factual bases underlying the obligations created pursuant to the various credit facilities and the other obligations constituting senior indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantor differ, it is not possible to predict how a court in bankruptcy would accord priorities as between indebtedness under facilities other than the Revolving Credit Agreement, the guarantee thereof, if any, the indebtedness under the notes, the Guarantee, indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the guarantee of such indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness.” It is possible in certain circumstances that a court could hold obligations of a Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee subordinate to direct obligations of such Guarantor. In addition, if a Guarantee is challenged by creditors of a Guarantor, it is possible that the amount for which such Guarantor is liable under its Guarantee would be limited (or the rights under the Guarantee could be subject to avoidance or subordination) by application of fraudulent conveyance and equitable subordination principles.

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer is designed to provide holders of original notes with an opportunity to acquire exchange notes (the “Exchange Notes”) which, unlike the original notes, will be freely transferable at all times, subject to any restrictions on transfer imposed by state “blue sky” laws and provided that the holder is not our affiliate within the meaning of the Securities Act and represents that the Exchange Notes are being acquired in the ordinary course of the holder’s business and the holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. Capitalized terms used herein and otherwise not defined are defined in the indenture.

The outstanding original 6.15% Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of US$1,000,000,000 were originally issued and sold on March 2, 2007, the issue date, to J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as initial purchaser, pursuant to the purchase agreement dated as of February 27, 2007. The original notes were issued and sold in a transaction not registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The concurrent resale of the original notes by the initial purchaser to investors was also done in reliance upon the exemption provided by Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. The original notes may not be reoffered, resold or transferred other than pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act or unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, the original notes may generally be resold (a) commencing one year after the issue date, in an amount up to, for any three-month period, the greater of 1% of the original notes then outstanding or the average weekly trading volume of the original notes during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of the required notice of sale with the SEC and (b) commencing two years after the issue date, in any amount and otherwise without restriction by a holder who is not, and has not been for the preceding three months, our affiliate. Certain other exemptions may also be available under other provisions of the federal securities laws for the resale of the original notes.

In connection with the original issuance and sale of the original notes, we entered into the registration rights agreement, dated March 2, 2007 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which we agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement covering the exchange by us of the exchange notes for the original notes, or the “Exchange Offer”. The Registration Rights Agreement provides that we and the Guarantor will file with the SEC an exchange offer registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act, with respect to an offer to exchange the original notes for the Exchange Notes and to offer to holders of original notes who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their original notes for Exchange Notes.

The Registration Rights Agreement provides that (i) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, we will file the exchange offer registration statement with the SEC within 90 days after the issue date, (ii) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, we will use our reasonable best efforts to have the exchange offer registration statement declared effective by the SEC on or prior to 180 days after the issue date, (iii) unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable law or SEC policy, we will commence the Exchange Offer and use our reasonable best efforts to issue, not later than 225 days after the issue date, Exchange Notes, in exchange for all original notes tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer and (iv) if obligated to file the shelf registration statement, we will file the shelf registration statement prior to the later of (a) 90 days after the issue date or (b) 30 days after such filing obligation arises and use our reasonable best efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC on or prior to 90 days after the obligation arises (in the case of (b) above); provided, however, that if the Exchange Offer is not declared effective within 180 days after the issue date, then we will file the shelf registration statement with the SEC on or prior to the 210th day after the issue date. We shall use our reasonable best efforts to keep such shelf registration statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended until the second anniversary of the issue date or such shorter period that will terminate when all notes covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold pursuant thereto. A holder of original notes that sells

 

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its original notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement generally will be required to be named as a selling securityholder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound by the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement that are applicable to such holder (including certain indemnification and contribution obligations).

Under existing interpretations by the Staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties in other transactions, the Exchange Notes would, in general, be freely transferable after the Exchange Offer without further registration under the Securities Act; provided, however, that in the case of broker-dealers participating in the Exchange Offer, a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act must be delivered by such broker-dealers in connection with resales of the Exchange Notes. We have agreed for a period of 90 days after consummation of the Exchange Offer, to make available a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act to any such broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer. A broker-dealer that delivers such a prospectus to purchasers in connection with such resales will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act and will be bound by the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement (including certain indemnification rights and obligations).

Each holder of original notes that wishes to exchange such original notes for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer will be required to make certain representations, including representations that (i) any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) it has no arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of Exchange Notes and (iii) it is not our affiliate as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.

If the holder is not a broker-dealer, it will be required to represent that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of Exchange Notes. If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for original notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.

We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Exchange Offer and will indemnify the initial purchaser against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we will be required to pay additional interest if a registration default exists. A registration default will exist if:

 

   

we fail to file any of the registration statements required by the Registration Rights Agreement on or before the date specified for such filing;

 

   

any of the registration statements is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the date specified for effectiveness, referred to as the Effectiveness Target Date;

 

   

the Exchange Offer is required to be consummated under the Registration Rights Agreement and we fail to issue Exchange Notes in exchange for all original notes properly tendered and not withdrawn in the Exchange Offer within 45 days of the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the exchange offer registration statement; or

 

   

the shelf registration statement or the exchange offer registration statement is declared effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with the Exchange Offer or resales of the original notes, as the case may be, during the periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional interest will accrue on the principal amount of the notes (in addition to the stated interest on the notes) from and including the date on which any of the registration defaults described above has occurred and

 

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continue until all registration defaults have been cured. Additional interest will accrue at a rate of 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of a registration default and will increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period while a registration default is continuing, up to a maximum rate of additional interest of 1.00% per annum.

This summary of certain provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is listed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept any and all original notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Subject to the minimum denomination requirements of the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Notes are being offered in exchange for a like principal amount of original notes. Original notes may be exchanged only in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount. Holders may tender some or all of their original notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

The form and terms of the Exchange Notes will be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the original notes except that (i) the Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof, and (ii) holders of the Exchange Notes will not be entitled to certain rights of holders of original notes under the Registration Rights Agreement. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same debt as the original notes and will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture. The Exchange Notes will be treated as a single class under the indenture with any original notes that remain outstanding. The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of original notes being tendered for exchange.

As of May 29, 2007, US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of original notes were outstanding. This prospectus, the letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery are being sent to all registered holders of original notes as of                     , 2007. Tendering holders will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of original notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain transfer taxes that may be imposed, in connection with the Exchange Offer. See “—Payment of Expenses.”

Holders of original notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters’ rights under the Delaware General Corporation Law in connection with the Exchange Offer.

Expiration Date; Extensions; Termination

The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                     , 2007 (21 business days following the date notice of the Exchange Offer was mailed to the holders). We reserve the right to extend the Exchange Offer at our discretion, in which event the term expiration date shall mean the time and date on which the Exchange Offer as so extended shall expire. We shall notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral or written notice and shall mail to the registered holders of original notes an announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

We reserve the right to extend or terminate the Exchange Offer and not accept for exchange any original notes if any of the events set forth below under the caption “Conditions to the Exchange Offer” occur and are not waived by us, by giving oral or written notice of such delay or termination to the exchange agent. See “—Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The rights reserved by us in this paragraph are in addition to our rights set forth below under the caption “—Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

 

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Procedures for Tendering

The tender to us of original notes by a holder pursuant to one of the procedures set forth below and the acceptance thereof by us will constitute an agreement between such holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the letter of transmittal.

Except as set forth below, a holder who wishes to tender original notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must transmit an agent’s message or a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, including all other documents required by such letter of transmittal, to the exchange agent at the address set forth below under “Exchange Agent” on or prior to the expiration date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such original notes must be received by the exchange agent along with the letter of transmittal, (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a book-entry confirmation) of such original notes, if such procedure is available, into the exchange agent’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedure of book-entry transfer described below, must be received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration date, or (iii) the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ORIGINAL NOTES SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO US.

The term agent’s message means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce such letter of transmittal against such participant.

Signatures on a letter of transmittal must be guaranteed unless the original notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of original notes who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal or (ii) for the account of any firm that is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the NASD, or a commercial bank or trust company having an office in the United States, each an eligible institution. In the event that signatures on a letter of transmittal are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by an eligible institution.

The method of delivery of original notes and other documents to the exchange agent is at the election and risk of the holder, but if delivery is by mail it is suggested that the mailing be made sufficiently in advance of the expiration date to permit delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date.

If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than a registered holder of any original notes tendered therewith, such original notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed exactly as the name of the registered holder appears on the original notes.

If the letter of transmittal or any original notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by us, proper evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to so act must be submitted.

All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tendered original notes will be resolved by us, and our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any or all tenders that are not in proper form or the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular original notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the letter of transmittal) will be final and binding. Unless waived, any irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Neither we nor the exchange agent shall be under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or shall incur liabilities for failure to give such notification. Tenders of original notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any original notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.

 

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Our acceptance for exchange of original notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering person and us upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

Book-Entry Transfer

The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect to the original notes at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s book-entry transfer facility systems may make book-entry delivery of original notes by causing DTC to transfer those original notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for transfer. However, although delivery of original notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, an agent’s message or a duly executed letter of transmittal, including all other documents required by such letter of transmittal, must in any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth below under the caption “Exchange Agent” on or prior to the expiration date or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE WITH DTC’S PROCEDURES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

Holders who wish to tender their original notes and (i) whose original notes are not immediately available, or (ii) who cannot deliver their original notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date, may effect a tender if:

(a) the tender is made through an eligible institution;

(b) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from an eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, and notice of guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery setting forth the name and address of the holder of the original notes, the certificate number or numbers of the original notes and the amount of original notes being tendered, stating that the tender is being made and guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificates for all physically tendered original notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and

(c) a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof), as well as the certificates representing all tendered original notes in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, are received by the exchange agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, or any extension of the Exchange Offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue Exchange Notes in exchange for, any original notes and may terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any original notes have been accepted for exchange) or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any of the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:

 

   

there is threatened, instituted or pending any action or proceeding before, or any injunction, order or decree issued by, any court or governmental agency or other governmental regulatory or administrative agency or commission:

(1) seeking to restrain or prohibit the making or completion of the Exchange Offer or any other transaction contemplated by the Exchange Offer, or assessing or seeking any damages as a result of this transaction; or

 

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(2) resulting in a material delay in our ability to accept for exchange or exchange some or all of the original notes in the Exchange Offer; or

(3) any statute, rule, regulation, order or injunction has been sought, proposed, introduced, enacted, promulgated or deemed applicable to the Exchange Offer or any of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer by any governmental authority, domestic or foreign; or

 

   

any action has been taken, proposed or threatened, by any governmental authority, domestic or foreign, that in our sole judgment might directly or indirectly result in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (1), (2) or (3) above or, in our sole judgment, might result in the holders of Exchange Notes having obligations with respect to resales and transfers of Exchange Notes which are greater than those described in the interpretation of the SEC referred to above, or would otherwise make it inadvisable to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or

 

   

the following has occurred:

(1) any general suspension of or general limitation on prices for, or trading in, securities on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market; or

(2) any limitation by a governmental authority, which may adversely affect our ability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer; or

(3) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States or any limitation by any governmental agency or authority which adversely affects the extension of credit; or

(4) a commencement of a war, armed hostilities or other similar international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or, in the case of any of the preceding events existing at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, a material acceleration or worsening of these calamities; or

 

   

any change, or any development involving a prospective change, has occurred or been threatened in our business, financial condition, operations or prospects and those of our subsidiaries taken as a whole that is or may be adverse to us, or we have become aware of facts that have or may have an adverse impact on the value of the original notes or the Exchange Notes, which in our sole judgment in any case makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Exchange Offer and/or with such acceptance for exchange or with such exchange; or

 

   

there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the Staff of the SEC which permits the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for original notes to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than broker-dealers and any such holder which is our affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes; or

 

   

any law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or enacted which, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or

 

   

a stop order shall have been issued by the SEC or any state securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to our knowledge, threatened for that purpose, or any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval we shall, in our sole discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby; or

 

   

we have received an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that there exists any actual or threatened legal impediment (including a default or prospective default under an agreement, indenture or other instrument or obligation to which we are a party or by which we are bound) to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Offer.

 

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If we determine in our sole and absolute discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists or has not been satisfied, we may, subject to applicable law, terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any original notes have been accepted for exchange) or may waive any such condition or otherwise amend the terms of the Exchange Offer in any respect. If such waiver or amendment constitutes a material change to the Exchange Offer, we will promptly disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the original notes and will extend the Exchange Offer to the extent required by Rule 14e-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these conditions, or we may waive them, in whole or in part, in our sole discretion. Any determination made by us concerning an event, development or circumstance described or referred to above will be final and binding on all parties.

Acceptance of Original Notes for Exchange; Delivery of Exchange Notes

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, we will accept all original notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will issue Exchange Notes in exchange for original notes promptly following the expiration date.

Subject to the conditions set forth under the caption “—Conditions to the Exchange Offer,” issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange for original notes tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of certificates for original notes or a book-entry confirmation of a book-entry transfer of original notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, including an agent’s message if the tendering holder does not deliver a letter of transmittal, a completed letter of transmittal, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an agent’s message in lieu of the letter of transmittal and any other documents required by such letter of transmittal. Accordingly, the delivery of Exchange Notes might not be made to all tendering holders at the same time, and will depend upon when certificates for original notes, book-entry confirmations with respect to original notes and other required documents are received by the exchange agent.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, we will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby to have exchanged, original notes validly tendered and not withdrawn as, if and when we give oral or written notice to the exchange agent of our acceptance of such original notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The exchange agent will act as agent for us for the purpose of receiving tenders of original notes, letters of transmittal and related documents, and as agent for tendering holders for the purpose of receiving original notes, letters of transmittal and related documents and transmitting Exchange Notes which will not be held in global form by DTC or a nominee of DTC to validly tendered holders. Such exchange will be made promptly after the expiration date. If for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange or the exchange of any original notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer is delayed (whether before or after our acceptance for exchange of original notes) or we extend the Exchange Offer or are unable to accept for exchange or exchange any original notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then, without prejudice to our rights set forth herein, the exchange agent may, nevertheless, on our behalf and subject to Rule 14e-l promulgated under the Exchange Act, retain tendered original notes and such original notes may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering holders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described under the caption “—Withdrawal Rights.”

Pursuant to an agent’s message or a letter of transmittal, a holder of original notes will represent, warrant and agree in the letter of transmittal that it has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer original notes, that we will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to the tendered original notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the original notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies. The holder also will warrant and agree that it will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by us or the exchange agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment and transfer of the original notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

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If any tendered original notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise, any such unaccepted original notes will be returned, at our expense, to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

Withdrawal Rights

Tenders of original notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. For a withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal at the address, or in the case of eligible institutions, at the facsimile number, set forth below under the caption “—Exchange Agent” before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person having tendered the original notes to be withdrawn, identify the original notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and the principal amount of the original notes), and (where certificates for original notes have been transmitted) specify the name in which such original notes are registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder. If certificates for original notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of such certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution unless such holder is an eligible institution. If original notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn original notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by us, and our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any original notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any original notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or in the case of original notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at DTC pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described above, such original notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the original notes) as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn original notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described above under the caption “—Procedures for Tendering” at any time on or prior to the expiration date.

Exchange Agent

We have appointed The Bank of New York as the exchange agent for the Exchange Offer. You should direct all executed letters of transmittal to the exchange agent at the address indicated below. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

By Registered or Certified Mail, or

Hand Delivery or Overnight Delivery

101 Barclay Street

Reorganization Unit 7E

New York, New York 10286

Attn: Randolph Holder

By Facsimile Transmission:

(Eligible Institutions Only)

(212) 298-1915

Confirm by Telephone:

(212) 815-5098

 

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If you deliver the letter of transmittal to an address other than any address indicated above or transmit instructions by facsimile to a facsimile number other than any facsimile number indicated above, then your delivery or transmission will not constitute a valid delivery of the letter of transmittal.

Payment of Expenses

We have not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in connection with the Exchange Offer. We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others for soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. However, we will pay the reasonable and customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to the exchange agent in connection therewith. We will also pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer, including accounting, legal, printing and other related fees and expenses.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer, certain rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, including registration rights and the right to receive the contingent increases in the interest rate, will terminate. The original notes that are not exchanged for Exchange Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will remain restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Accordingly, such original notes may be resold only (i) to us or our subsidiaries, (ii) to a qualified institutional buyer in compliance with Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, (iii) to an institutional accredited investor that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to the trustee (which is The Bank of New York) a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements relating to the restrictions on transfer of the original notes (the form of which letter can be obtained from the trustee) and, if requested by us and the trustee, an opinion of counsel acceptable to us that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (iv) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (if available) or (v) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. The liquidity of the original notes could be adversely affected by the Exchange Offer.

Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer

The exchange of original notes for Exchange Notes should not be treated as a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes because the Exchange Notes will not be considered to differ materially in kind or in extent from the original notes. Rather, the Exchange Notes received by a holder of original notes should be treated as a continuation of such holder’s investment in the original notes. As a result, there should be no material U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders exchanging original notes for Exchange Notes.

PERSONS CONSIDERING THE EXCHANGE OF THE ORIGINAL NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN LAWS OF SUCH AN EXCHANGE.

Accounting Treatment

The Exchange Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the original notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized. See “Description of the Notes—Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer.”

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF NEWS CORPORATION

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

    

Nine months
ended

March 31,
2007

   Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
      2006    2005    2004    2003    2002

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

   5.5    5.0    4.8    4.0    3.5    1.6

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer. In consideration for issuing the Exchange Notes, we will receive in exchange the original notes of like principal amount. The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the original notes, except for certain transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the original notes and except for certain provisions providing for an increase in the interest rate on the original notes under certain circumstances relating to the timing of the Exchange Offer. The original notes surrendered in exchange for the Exchange Notes will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the Exchange Notes will not result in any increase in our outstanding debt or in the obligations of the Guarantor.

On March 2, 2007, we issued and sold the original notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were used for general corporate purposes.

NEWS AMERICA AND NEWS CORPORATION

News America

News America, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation, is an operating company and holding company, which, together with its subsidiaries, operates in a number of industry segments, including magazines and inserts, newspapers and book publishing.

News Corporation

News Corporation is a diversified entertainment company, which manages and reports its business in eight segments:

 

   

Filmed Entertainment, which principally consists of the production and acquisition of live-action and animated motion pictures for distribution and licensing in all formats in all entertainment media worldwide, and the production of original television programming in the United States and Canada.

 

   

Television, which principally consists of the operation of 35 full power broadcast television stations, including nine duopolies, in the United States (of these stations, 25 are affiliated with the FOX network and ten are affiliated with the MyNetworkTV network.); the broadcasting of network programming in the United States; and the development, production and broadcasting of television programming in Asia.

 

   

Cable Network Programming, which principally consists of the licensing and production of programming distributed through cable television systems and direct broadcast satellite operators primarily in the United States.

 

   

Direct Broadcast Satellite Television, which principally consists of the distribution of premium programming services via satellite and broadband directly to subscribers in Italy.

 

   

Magazines and Inserts, which principally consists of the publication of freestanding inserts, which are promotional booklets containing consumer offers distributed through insertion in local Sunday newspapers in the United States, and the provision of in-store marketing products and services, primarily to consumer packaged goods manufacturers, in the United States and Canada.

 

   

Newspapers, which principally consists of the publication of four national newspapers in the United Kingdom, the publication of more than 110 newspapers in Australia, and the publication of a mass circulation, metropolitan morning newspaper in the United States.

 

   

Book Publishing, which principally consists of the publication of English language books throughout the world.

 

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Other, which includes NDS Group plc, a company engaged in the business of supplying open end-to-end digital technology and services to digital pay-television platform operators and content providers; News Outdoor, an advertising business which offers display advertising primarily in outdoor locations throughout Russia and Eastern Europe; Fox Interactive Media, which operates News Corporation’s Internet activities; and Global Cricket Corporation, which has the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

News America’s and News Corporation’s principal executive offices are located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036. The telephone number at that address is (212) 852-7000.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS

News America is party to a revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), which provides for a $2.25 billion facility, with a sub-limit of $600 million available for the issuance of letters of credit, and expires on May 23, 2012. News America has the option to request to increase the facility to $2.5 billion and to request to extend the term of the Revolving Credit Agreement for two additional one-year terms. As of May 23, 2007, letters of credit representing approximately $120 million were issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement

The Revolving Credit Agreement provides that News America may borrow funds and request letters of credit to be issued thereunder. Borrowings are in U.S. dollars only, while letters of credit are issuable in U.S. dollars or Euros. The significant terms of the agreement include the requirement that News Corporation maintain specific interest coverage ratios and limitations on secured indebtedness and subsidiary indebtedness. News Corporation pays a facility fee of 0.10% regardless of facility usage. News Corporation pays interest of a margin over LIBOR for borrowings and a letter of credit fee equal to the LIBOR margin. News Corporation pays additional fees of 0.050% if borrowings under the facility exceed 50% of the committed facility. The interest and fees are based on News Corporation’s current debt rating. In addition, the obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by News Corporation.

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF NEWS CORPORATION

News Corporation derived the unaudited information presented as of, and for, the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 from News Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2007, reporting results for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007. The selected historical financial information for the fiscal years 2002 through 2006 was derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of News Corporation contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 23, 2006.

This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with News Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference into this registration statement. The selected financial data for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 has been derived from News Corporation’s unaudited consolidated financial statements which, in the opinion of management, contains all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for these periods. Historical results of operations may not be indicative of results to be expected for any future period.

 

    

FOR THE NINE

MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31,(2)

(unaudited)

  

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,(1)

 
     2007    2006    2006    2005    2004    2003(3)    2002(4)  
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                    

Revenues

   $ 21,288    $ 18,545    $ 25,327    $ 23,859    $ 20,802    $ 17,380    $ 15,070  

Operating income

     3,234      2,840      3,868      3,564      2,931      2,380      176  

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     2,536      2,094      2,812      2,128      1,533      822      (7,629 )

Net income (loss)

     2,536      1,462      2,314      2,128      1,533      822      (7,691 )

Basic income (loss) from continuing operations per share:(5)(6)

                    

Class A

   $ 0.85    $ 0.68    $ 0.92    $ 0.74    $ 0.58    $ 0.33    $ (3.32 )

Class B

   $ 0.71    $ 0.57    $ 0.77    $ 0.62    $ 0.49    $ 0.28    $ (2.77 )

 

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FOR THE NINE

MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31,(2)

(unaudited)

   FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,(1)  
     2007    2006    2006    2005    2004    2003(3)    2002(4)  
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share:(5)(6)

                    

Class A

   $ 0.84    $ 0.68    $ 0.92    $ 0.73    $ 0.58    $ 0.33    $ (3.32 )

Class B

   $ 0.70    $ 0.57    $ 0.77    $ 0.61    $ 0.48    $ 0.28    $ (2.77 )

Basic earnings (loss) per share:(5)(6)

                    

Class A

   $ 0.85    $ 0.48    $ 0.76    $ 0.74    $ 0.58    $ 0.33    $ (3.35 )

Class B

   $ 0.71    $ 0.40    $ 0.63    $ 0.62    $ 0.49    $ 0.28    $ (2.79 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:(5)(6)

                    

Class A

   $ 0.84    $ 0.48    $ 0.76    $ 0.73    $ 0.58    $ 0.33    $ (3.35 )

Class B

   $ 0.70    $ 0.40    $ 0.63    $ 0.61    $ 0.48    $ 0.28    $ (2.79 )

Cash dividend declared per share:(5)(6)

                    

Class A

   $ 0.12    $ 0.13    $ 0.13    $ 0.10    $ 0.10    $ 0.09    $ 0.08  

Class B

   $ 0.10    $ 0.13    $ 0.13    $ 0.04    $ 0.04    $ 0.04    $ 0.03  

 

    

AS OF

MARCH 31,

2007

(unaudited)

   AS OF JUNE 30,
      2006    2005    2004    2003    2002
          (in millions)

Balance Sheet Data:

                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,246    $ 5,783    $ 6,470    $ 4,051    $ 4,477    $ 3,574

Total assets

     61,614      56,649      54,692      48,343      42,149      36,898

Borrowings and perpetual preference shares(7)

     12,474      11,427      10,999      10,509      10,003      9,840

(1) See Notes 3, 6 and 8 to the audited consolidated financial statements of News Corporation contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed August 23, 2006, for information with respect to significant acquisitions, disposals, change in accounting and other transactions during fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004.
(2) See Notes 2, 5 and 6 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements of News Corporation contained in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended March 31, 2007, filed May 9, 2007 for information with respect to significant acquisitions, disposals, change in accounting and other transactions during the nine months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.
(3) Fiscal 2003 results include News Corporation’s acquisition of WPWR-TV for approximately $425 million. Fiscal 2003 results also include News Corporation’s acquisition of 80% of Telepiu, S.p.A. (“Telepiu”) for approximately $874 million. Telepiu was merged with Stream S.p.A., (“Stream”) and the combined platform was renamed SKY Italia. As a result of the acquisition, commencing April 30, 2003, News Corporation ceased to equity account its share of Stream’s results.
(4) Fiscal 2002 results include News Corporation’s $6.1 billion write-down of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and the $958 million Other operating charge for the write-down of News Corporation’s national and international sports contracts. Fiscal 2002 results also include News Corporation’s acquisition of Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. for approximately $5 billion ($2 billion in cash and $3 billion in News Corporation’s Class A common stock par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”)) and the sale of its interest in Fox Family Worldwide to The Walt Disney Company for total consideration of approximately $1.6 billion, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.3 billion.
(5) Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share and cash dividend per share reflect per share amounts based on the adjusted share amounts to reflect the November 12, 2004 one-for-two share exchange in the reincorporation of News Corporation.

 

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(6) Class A Common Stock carry rights to a greater dividend than News Corporation’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock”), through fiscal year 2007. As such, net income available to News Corporation’s common stockholders is allocated between its two classes of common stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The allocation between classes was based upon the two-class method. See Notes 2 and 20 to the audited consolidated financial statements of News Corporation contained in its Form 10-K, filed August 23, 2006, for further discussion. Subsequent to the final fiscal year 2007 dividend payment, Class A Common Stock will cease to carry any rights to a greater dividend than Class B Common Stock. As such, earnings (loss) per share based on the total weighted average shares outstanding (Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock combined) are as follows:

 

   

FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,

(unaudited)

  FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,  
        2007           2006       2006    2005(a)    2004    2003    2002  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $ 0.80   $ 0.45   $ 0.72    $ 0.69    $ 0.54    $ 0.31    $ (3.12 )

 

  (a) In March 2005, News Corporation’s acquisition of the interest of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. that it did not already own was completed and a total of 357 million shares of Class A Common Stock were issued as consideration.
(7) Each fiscal year presented prior to June 30, 2005 includes $345 million of perpetual preference shares outstanding, which were redeemed at par by News Corporation in November 2004.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The notes are to be issued as a separate series under the indenture in a transaction that is not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. See “Notice to Investors.” References to the notes include the Exchange Notes unless the context otherwise requires. Series of debt securities issued under the indenture, including the notes, are referred to herein as the “Debt Securities.” The following summaries of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject, and are qualified in their entirety by reference, to all the provisions of the notes and the indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms and capitalized terms used below.

General

The 6.15% notes will be initially limited to $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount and will mature on March 1, 2037.

The Company may from time to time, without notice to or consent of the holders, issue additional notes of the same tenor, coupon and other terms as the notes, so that such notes and the notes offered hereby will form a single series. Interest will accrue on the notes from March 2, 2007 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1 of each year commencing on September 1, 2007 to the person (or any predecessor) in whose name the notes are registered at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15, as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The notes are not entitled to any sinking fund.

The notes will be issued only in fully registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The notes will be represented by Global Securities (as defined herein) registered in the name of the nominee of DTC.

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder and provides that Debt Securities, including the notes, may be issued thereunder from time to time in one of more series. As of March 31, 2007, approximately $8.4 billion of Debt Securities were outstanding under such indenture.

The Company has appointed The Bank of New York at its offices at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, to serve as registrar and paying agent under the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer, exchange or redemption of notes, except in certain circumstances, for any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.

Additional Interest

As discussed under “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights,” pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and the Guarantor and certain subsidiaries of the Guarantor will agree to file with the SEC a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) and to offer to the holders of notes who are able to make certain representations the opportunity to exchange their original notes for Exchange Notes. In the event that the Company and the Guarantor are not permitted to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy or, in certain other circumstances, including if for any reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the 180th day after the date the notes are first issued, the Company and the Guarantor will file with the SEC a shelf registration statement with respect to resales of the notes by the holders thereof. The interest rate on the notes is subject to increase under certain circumstances during any period in which the Company and the Guarantor and certain subsidiaries of the Guarantor are not in compliance with their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. See “Exchange Offer; Registration Rights.”

 

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Ranking

The notes will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company and will constitute Indebtedness (as defined below) ranking pari passu with all other unsecured Indebtedness of the Company which is not by its terms subordinated to the notes. The Guarantee constitutes Indebtedness of each of the Guarantor, and is intended to rank pari passu with all other unsecured Indebtedness of such Guarantor, which is not by its terms subordinated to the Guarantee.

“Indebtedness” of any Person (as defined below) is defined as, at any date, and without duplication, any obligation for or in respect of: (i) money borrowed or raised (whether or not for a cash consideration and whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only a portion thereof) and premiums (if any) and capitalized interest (if any) in respect thereof; (ii) all obligations (if any) with respect to any debenture, bond, note, loan, stock or similar instrument (whether or not issued or raised for a cash consideration); (iii) liabilities of such Person in respect of any letter of credit (other than in respect of Trade Payables), bankers’ acceptance or note purchase facility or any liability with respect to any recourse receivables purchase, factoring or discounting arrangement; (iv) all obligations of such Person with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations (whether in respect of buildings, machinery, equipment or otherwise); (v) all obligations created or arising under any deferred purchase or conditional sale agreement or arrangement or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including pursuant to financing leases), except any such balance which represents a Trade Payable; (vi) net liabilities in respect of any Interest Rate Protection Agreements (as defined below); (vii) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise acquire for value any Redeemable Stock (as defined below) of such Person or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such Redeemable Stock valued, in the case of Redeemable Stock, at the greatest amount payable in respect thereof on a liquidation (whether voluntary or involuntary) plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (viii) direct or indirect guarantees of all Indebtedness of other Persons referred to in clauses (i) to (vii) above or legally binding agreements by any Person (a) to pay or purchase such Indebtedness or to advance or supply funds for the payment or purchase of such Indebtedness, or (b) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness, or (c) to supply funds to or in any other manner invest in the debtor (including any agreement to pay for property or services irrespective of whether such property is received or such services are rendered), or (d) otherwise to assure in a legally binding manner any Person to whom Indebtedness is owed against loss; and (ix) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (i) to (viii) above secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any encumbrance on any asset owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be (without duplication) (i) the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability of any such contingent obligations at such date and (ii) in the case of Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien to which the property or assets owned or held by such Person is subject, the lesser of the fair market value at such date of any asset subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others and the amount of the Indebtedness secured.

Guarantee

The notes will be unconditionally guaranteed by News Corporation. The Guarantee is intended to rank pari passu with News Corporation’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement and its obligations under the various senior public debt instruments issued by the Company or News Corporation.

As noted below, if any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined below) issues any guarantee of any Indebtedness in excess of $50 million, the indenture requires that such Restricted Subsidiary guarantee the notes on a pari passu basis if such Indebtedness is Senior Indebtedness and on a senior basis if such Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness. Upon (i) the sale or disposition (by merger or otherwise) of a Subsidiary Guarantor to an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary) of News Corporation, (ii)(A) the payment in full of the obligations under

 

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the Revolving Credit Agreement guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent that such Subsidiary Guarantor is a guarantor thereunder, and the termination of the commitments of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement and (B) News Corporation directing that such Subsidiary Guarantor be released from the Guarantee or (iii)(A) the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof and (B) News Corporation directing that such Subsidiary Guarantor be released from the Guarantee, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed released from all obligations under the Guarantee without any further action required on the part of The Bank of New York (the “Trustee”) or any holder of notes. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, on the notes, as provided in the Guarantee. The Trustee shall make available for delivery an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of a request of the Company, accompanied by an officer’s certificate certifying as to the compliance with the indenture and, in the event of the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the terms of (ii) above, an opinion of counsel.

Redemption by the Company

The notes are redeemable, as a whole or in part, at our option, at any time or from time to time, upon mailed notice to the registered address of each holder of notes at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the redemption. The redemption price will be equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or (2) the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined below) on such notes discounted to the date of redemption, on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), at a rate equal to the sum of the applicable Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 30 basis points. Accrued interest will be paid to the date of redemption.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third business day immediately preceding that redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue (as defined below), assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Reference Treasury Dealer (as defined below) as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations (as defined below) for that redemption date.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its successor. If it shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, the Company will substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to the Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by the Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding that redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means the remaining scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the notes that would be due after the related redemption date but for that redemption. If that redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to the notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment on the notes will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued on the notes to such redemption date.

 

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On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or any portion of the notes called for redemption (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest). On or before the redemption date, the Company will deposit with a paying agent (or the Trustee) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on the notes to be redeemed on that date. If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the notes to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate.

The notes may, at the option of the Company, be redeemed for cash, in whole but not in part, at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice given in the manner described in the indenture (which notice shall be irrevocable), at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date, if the Company is financially unable to fulfill its obligations under the indenture and the Guarantor is required to make payments on the notes pursuant to its Guarantee.

Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event

Within 15 days after the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined below), the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase all of the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) shall be made not later than the 15th Business Day after the Change of Control Triggering Event.

The Company shall commence a Change of Control Offer by mailing a notice to each holder stating: (i) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to a covenant in the indenture and that all notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment; (ii) the purchase price and the purchase date (which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); (iii) that any notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (iv) that holders electing to have notes purchased pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the notes to the paying agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the Change of Control Payment Date; (v) that holders will be entitled to withdraw their tender of notes on the terms and conditions set forth in such notice which will allow any holder to withdraw notes if they notify the Trustee prior to the Change of Control Payment Date; and (vi) that holders who elect to require that only a portion of the notes held by them be repurchased by the Company will be issued new notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered. No notes will be purchased from any holder who does not tender any notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall (i) accept for payment tendered notes or portions thereof pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the paying agent cash in same-day funds sufficient to pay the purchase price of notes or portions thereof so accepted and (iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee notes so accepted. The paying agent shall promptly make available to the holders of notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and make available for delivery to such holders a new security of the same class equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of notes surrendered. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date. For purposes of this covenant, the Trustee shall act as the paying agent.

This covenant is intended to allow the holders the option of having their notes purchased in the event that members of the Murdoch Family (as herein defined) no longer effectively control News Corporation and a Rating Decline (as herein defined) occurs shortly thereafter.

News Corporation and its Subsidiaries will comply with the appropriate provisions of the Exchange Act, including Rule 14e-1, in the event of a Change of Control Offer. The Change of Control (as defined below) purchase feature of the notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a takeover of News Corporation and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. The Change of Control purchase feature,

 

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however, is not the result of management’s knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate Class B Common Stock of News Corporation or to obtain control of News Corporation by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise, or part of a plan by management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions. Instead, the Change of Control purchase feature is a standard term contained in other offerings of debt securities of other issuers containing features corresponding to the terms of the notes.

As of March 31, 2007, News Corporation had outstanding approximately $12.5 billion of debt under various senior indentures which contain change of control provisions similar to those set forth herein. In the event of the default by the Company or the Guarantor in the payment of its or their obligations with respect to such other indebtedness (including a default in making required payments upon a change of control or a Change of Control Triggering Event), such default would, to the extent that the aggregate amount of indebtedness outstanding which is declared to be due and payable under such instrument or instruments exceeds $100 million, constitute an Event of Default (as defined below) under the notes.

The Company’s ability to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event will depend upon the availability of cash sufficient to pay the purchase price and upon the terms of its and News Corporation’s then existing loan agreements and indentures. If a Change of Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that the Company would have funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control purchase price for all of the notes that might be delivered by holders seeking to exercise the purchase right. In addition, the Revolving Credit Agreement, to which News Corporation, the Company and certain of their Affiliates are parties, could restrict the ability of the Company to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control. The ability of the Company to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control will depend upon the principal amount of the notes required to be repurchased, the limitations imposed by the covenants (whether contained in the Revolving Credit Agreement or otherwise) then in effect and, if required, the consent by the banks representing 60% of the outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of the following: any person (as the term “person” is used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than News Corporation, any Subsidiary of News Corporation, any employee benefit plan of either News Corporation or any Subsidiary of News Corporation, or the Murdoch Family, becomes the beneficial owner of the greater of (A) 30% or more of the combined voting power of News Corporation’s then outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally for the election of directors (“Voting Securities”); and (B) if the Murdoch Family is the beneficial owner of, or has the right to vote, more than 30% of the Voting Securities, a percentage of Voting Securities greater than the percentage of Voting Securities so owned or voted by the Murdoch Family.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” shall mean a Change of Control and a Rating Decline (as defined below).

“Investment Grade” is defined as a rating of BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor’s Corporation and its successors (“S&P”) or a rating of Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. and its successors (“Moody’s”) or the equivalent of such ratings.

“Murdoch Family” shall mean K. Rupert Murdoch, his wife, parents, children, or brothers or sisters or children of brothers or sisters, or grandchildren, grand nieces and grand nephews and other members of his immediate family or any trust or any other entity directly or indirectly controlled by one or more of the members of the Murdoch Family described above (“controlled entities”). A trust shall be deemed controlled by the Murdoch Family if the majority of the trustees are members of the Murdoch Family or can be removed or replaced by any one or more members of the Murdoch Family or the controlled entities.

“Rating Agencies” is defined as (i) S&P and (ii) Moody’s or (iii) if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating of the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized securities rating agency or agencies, as the case

 

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may be, selected by News Corporation, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be, so that there shall always be two nationally recognized securities rating agencies rating the notes.

“Rating Category” is defined as (i) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); (ii) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and (iii) the equivalent of any such category of S&P or Moody’s used by another Rating Agency. In determining whether the rating of the notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories (+ and – for S&P; 1, 2 and 3 for Moody’s; or the equivalent gradations for another Rating Agency) shall be taken into account (e.g., with respect to S&P, a decline in a rating from BB+ to BB, as well as from BB– to B+, will constitute a decrease of one gradation).

“Rating Date” is defined as the date which is 90 days prior to the earlier of, (i) a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by News Corporation to effect a Change of Control.

“Rating Decline” is defined as the occurrence of the following on, or within 90 days after the earlier of, (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the intention by News Corporation to effect a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies), (a) in the event the notes are rated by either Rating Agency on the Rating Date as Investment Grade, the rating of the notes shall be reduced so that the notes are rated below Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies, or (b) in the event the notes are rated below Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies on the Rating Date, the rating of the notes by either Rating Agency shall be decreased by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories, as well as between Rating Categories).

Successor Corporation

Neither News Corporation nor the Company shall consolidate with, merge with or into, sell, assign, lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an entirety to any Person (other than its Wholly Owned Subsidiary) or permit any Person (other than its Wholly Owned Subsidiary) to merge with or into News Corporation or the Company unless: (i) News Corporation or the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the Person (if other than News Corporation or the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which News Corporation (or the Company) is merged or to which the properties and assets of News Corporation (or the Company), substantially as an entirety, are transferred shall (a) (in the case of the Company only) be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall (b) expressly assume, by supplemental indentures executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of News Corporation (or the Company) under the notes and the indenture, and the indenture shall remain in full force and effect; and (ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default and no Default (as defined below) shall have occurred and be continuing.

In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer contemplated hereby, News Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental indenture in respect thereto comply with these “Successor Corporation” provisions and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied with.

Upon any consolidation, merger or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of News Corporation or the Company in accordance with the foregoing, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which News Corporation or the Company is merged or to which such transfer is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of News Corporation or the Company under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as News Corporation or the Company therein.

 

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Waiver, Modification and Amendment

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes may waive certain past defaults with respect to the notes. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities or, in case less than all of the several series of Outstanding Debt Securities are affected, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected may waive the Company’s and the Guarantor’s compliance with certain restrictive provisions.

Modification and amendment of the indenture may be made by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee with the written consent (i) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities, or (ii) in case less than all of the several series of Debt Securities then Outstanding (as defined below) are affected by the modification or amendment, the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series so affected, voting as a single class, provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holders of each Debt Security affected thereby: (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of, or interest on, any Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest, if any, on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any Debt Security; (c) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium or interest on, any Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payments on, or with respect to, any Debt Security; or (e) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any particular series specified in this or the preceding paragraph. Any modification or amendment which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of the indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under the applicable indenture of the holders of Debt Securities of any other series.

Events of Default

The following events are defaults under the indenture: (a) failure to pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) the notes when due; (b) failure to pay any interest installment on the notes when due, continued for 30 days; (c) failure of the Company, News Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary to perform any other covenant under the indenture (other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than the notes), continued for 60 days after written notice; (d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (e) an event of default on any other Indebtedness for borrowed money of News Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate amount outstanding in excess of $100 million which has caused the holders thereof to declare such Indebtedness due and payable in advance of its scheduled maturity; (f) failure to pay at stated maturity (and the expiration of any grace period) any other Indebtedness for borrowed money of News Corporation or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $100 million; and (g) final judgments for the payment of money which in the aggregate exceed $250 million; shall be rendered against News Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary by a court and shall remain unstayed or undischarged for a period of 60 days.

If a default enumerated above with respect to the notes at the time Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, then and, in every such case (unless the principal of all the notes of that series shall have already become due and payable), the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding notes may declare to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company and to the Trustee the entire principal amount of all the notes. At any time after such declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, in certain circumstances, rescind and annul such declaration (except an acceleration due to a default in payment of the principal or interest on any security).

No holder of any notes shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or the notes or for any remedy thereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice

 

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of a default with respect to the notes and unless also the holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of Outstanding notes shall have made written request upon the Trustee, and have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received direction inconsistent with such request in writing by the holders of a majority in principal amount of Outstanding notes and shall have neglected or refused to institute such proceeding within 60 days. However, the right of any holder of any note to enforce the payment of principal and interest, if any, due on such Note on or after the dates expressed in such note, may not be impaired or affected.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The indenture provides that the Company may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the notes (except as otherwise provided in the indenture) (“defeasance”) or (B) to be released from certain of its obligations with respect to the notes described under “Certain Covenants,” and “Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event” (“covenant defeasance”), upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money, and/or U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities (each as defined below) which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest on, the notes on the scheduled due dates therefor.

Regarding the Trustee

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such indenture. The Trustee is The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act contain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company or a Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of a Default or resign. The Bank of New York is a lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Certain Covenants

Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries. To the extent that after the date of the indenture any Restricted Subsidiary issues any guarantee of any Indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million, the indenture requires that such Restricted Subsidiary guarantee the notes on a pari passu basis if such Indebtedness is Senior Indebtedness and on a senior basis if such Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness.

Limitation on Liens. Neither News Corporation nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any property to secure Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith or prior thereto the notes are equally and ratably secured for so long as such other Indebtedness shall be so secured, except: (i) Liens existing on the date of the indenture and any extensions, renewals or refunding thereof (so long as there is no increase in principal amount thereby secured, plus costs and expenses associated with incurring such Refinancing Indebtedness, or material change in the nature of Indebtedness thereby secured); (ii) Permitted Encumbrances (as defined below); (iii) (intentionally omitted); (iv) Liens permitted to finance receivables (including pursuant to a receivables sale agreement) arising in the ordinary course of business not to exceed 90% of the amount of the receivables so financed, provided that the indebtedness incurred in connection therewith is permitted by the applicable indenture; (v) Liens in connection with Permitted Film Financings (as defined below); (vi) any Liens created by a member of the Fox Group (as defined below) in favor of a producer or supplier of television programming or films over distribution revenues and/or distribution rights which are allocable to such producer or supplier under related distribution arrangements; (vii) a third party Lien granted by

 

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News International plc or a Restricted Subsidiary on its shares in British Sky Broadcasting Group plc (“BSkyB”) for the purpose of securing a project loan to be made to BSkyB provided that there shall be no recourse to News International plc thereunder; and (viii) any extension, renewal or refunding of any Liens referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) above, provided that the renewal, extension or refunding is limited to all or part of the property securing the original Lien.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the indenture. Reference is made to the indenture for the full definition of all such terms.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Capital Stock” of any Person is defined as any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock and any rights (other than loan stock or debt securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options to acquire such capital stock.

“Default” is defined as any event, act or condition which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Film Special Purpose Vehicle” is defined as any Special Purpose Vehicle established for the sole purpose of financing, producing, marketing or distributing films or television programs.

“Foreign Government Securities” is defined as, with respect to securities and coupons, if any, of any series that are denominated in a foreign currency, securities that are (i) direct obligations of the government that issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government (the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government) which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“Fox Group” means Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its respective consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries.

“GAAP” is defined as generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are applicable as of the date of determination, provided that the definitions contained in the indenture and all ratios and calculations under the covenants described therein shall be determined in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date of the applicable indenture.

“HarperCollins Group” means HarperCollins UK, an English corporation and its consolidated Subsidiaries and HarperCollins Publishers Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successor thereto), and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

“Interest Rate Protection Agreements” of any Person is defined as the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, option or future contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

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“Lien” is defined as any mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, charge, or other security interest or encumbrance of any kind (including any unconditional agreement to give any security interest).

“News Consolidated Group” is defined as News Corporation and its Restricted Subsidiaries which are consolidated under GAAP.

“Original Issue Discount Debt Security” is defined as any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof.

“Outstanding” is defined as, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under the indenture, except: (i) Debt Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (ii) Debt Securities for whose payment or redemption (a) money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the holders of such Debt Securities or (b) U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities as contemplated by the section of the indenture governing satisfaction, discharge and defeasance of Debt Securities in the necessary amount have been theretofore deposited with the Trustee in trust for the holders of such Debt Securities in accordance with such section; provided that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to the indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and (iii) Debt Securities which have been paid pursuant to the section of the indenture governing mutilated, destroyed, lost and stolen securities or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of any Original Issue Discount Debt Securities that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the section of the indenture governing acceleration, the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in a foreign currency or currencies shall be deemed to be that amount of dollars that could be obtained for such principal amount on the basis of the spot rate of exchange for such foreign currency or such currency unit as determined by the Company or by an authorized exchange rate agent, and Debt Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

“Permitted Encumbrance” is defined as any of the following: (i) any Lien which arises in favor of an unpaid seller in respect of goods, plant or equipment sold and delivered to any member of the News Consolidated Group in the ordinary course of its business until payment of the purchase price for such goods or plant or equipment or any other goods, plant or equipment previously sold and delivered by that seller (except to the extent that such Lien secures Indebtedness or arises otherwise than due to deferment of payment of purchase price); (ii) Liens arising by operation of law; (iii) any Lien or pledge created or subsisting in the ordinary course of business over documents of title, insurance policies or sale contracts in relation to commercial goods to secure the purchase price thereof; (iv) any Lien with respect to a cash deposit which secures the payment or reimbursement obligation in favor of any financial institution or government in connection with any letter of credit, guarantee or bond, issued by or, as the case may be, granted to any financial institution, or government, in respect of any

 

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amount payable by any member of the News Consolidated Group pursuant to any agreement or arrangement (other than in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money) entered into by any member of the News Consolidated Group; (v) any Lien with respect to a cash deposit which is deposited in an account with any financial institution or firm of lawyers or title company to be held in escrow in such account pursuant to any agreement or arrangement (other than in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money); (vi) any Lien with respect to documents of title to any asset, to the extent arising from the delivery of such asset to any financial institution or firm of lawyers or title company to be held in escrow pursuant to any agreement or arrangement for the purchase or sale of such asset, provided that (A) such agreement or arrangement is not in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) such documents of title are held in escrow only pending the satisfaction of conditions precedent to the purchase or sale of such asset and (C) such agreement or arrangement and the related purchase or sale are not otherwise prohibited under the indenture; (vii) Liens on property purchased after the date of the indenture provided that (A) any such Lien is created solely for the purpose of securing Indebtedness incurred to finance the cost (including the cost of construction) of the item of property subject thereto and such Lien is created prior to, at the time of, or within 270 days after the later of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or the commencement of the full operation of such property, or for the purpose of securing Indebtedness incurred to refinance any Indebtedness previously so secured, (B) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such cost, (C) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other property other than such item or property and any improvements on such item, and (D) the incurrence of such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 906 of the indenture; (viii) in the case of a corporation becoming a member of the News Consolidated Group after the date of the indenture, any Lien with respect to the assets of such corporation at the time it became a member of the News Consolidated Group provided that such encumbrance is not created in contemplation of, or in connection with, it becoming a member of the News Consolidated Group; (ix) Liens to secure performance bonds and other obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; (x) any Lien with respect to any asset (including, without limitation, securities, documents of title and source codes), to the extent arising from the delivery of such asset to any financial institution, firm of lawyers, title company or other entity which holds assets in escrow or custody, to be held in escrow pursuant to any agreement or arrangement granted in the ordinary course of business; (xi) Liens not otherwise permitted herein which do not, in the aggregate, exceed 10% of the Tangible Assets (as defined below) of the News Consolidated Group; provided that any such Lien is not otherwise prohibited under the indenture; and (xii) statutory Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, material men, repairmen and other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other appropriate provision has been made; provided that in the case of sub-clauses (i) and (iii) of this definition, there is no default in the underlying obligation secured by such encumbrance or such obligation is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.

“Permitted Film Financings” means debt and equity financing arrangements with third parties for the production and/or distribution of newly-produced television programming or films by one or more special purpose partnerships, corporations or similar structures (in which any interest held by a member of the Fox Group is held through a Film Special Purpose Vehicle), the production and/or distribution decisions in respect of which are controlled by a member of the Fox Group to the same extent as would be customary in the case of the production and/or distribution of such television programming or films by a member of the Fox Group.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

“Redeemable Stock” is defined as any equity security that by its terms or otherwise is required to be redeemed prior to the maturity of the Securities or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to maturity of the Securities.

“Restricted Subsidiary” is defined as any Subsidiary other than those Subsidiaries in the HarperCollins Group, until such time as such Subsidiaries in the HarperCollins Group shall be designated Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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“Subsidiary” is defined as, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation a majority of whose capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries thereof or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof has at least a majority ownership interest and the power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof and shall, with respect to News Corporation and News America, include Fox Television Holdings, Inc. and its Subsidiaries and their successors. For purposes of this definition, any director’s qualifying shares or investments by foreign nationals mandated by applicable law shall be disregarded in determining the ownership of a Subsidiary.

“Tangible Assets” of any Person is defined as, as of any date, the amount of total assets of such Person and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at such date minus goodwill, trade names, patents, unamortized debt discount expense and other like intangibles, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

The summary herein of certain provisions of the indenture, including the defined terms therein, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture, a copy of which will be made available to prospective purchasers of the notes upon request to the Company.

Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer

The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of notes by U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below. This discussion is based upon the U.S. federal tax law now in effect, which is subject to change, possibly retroactively. For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a note who or that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof, an estate whose income is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source or a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a note who is not a U.S. Holder.

This summary does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation which may be important to particular holders in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as notes held by investors subject to special tax rules (e.g., financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, and tax-exempt organizations) or to persons that will hold the notes as a part of a straddle, hedge, or synthetic security transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign, state or local tax considerations. This summary assumes that investors will hold their notes as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF NOTES, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY NON-U.S., STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.

Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders

Exchange of the Original Notes for Exchange Notes

The exchange of an original note for an Exchange Note pursuant to the Exchange Offer will not constitute a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes because the Exchange Note will not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the original note. Accordingly, the Exchange Note will be treated for U.S.

 

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federal tax purposes as a continuation of the original note in the hands of a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder. As a result, (1) a holder will not recognize any gain or loss on the exchange, (2) the holder’s holding period for an Exchange Note will include the holding period for the original note, and (3) the holder’s adjusted tax basis of the Exchange Note will be the same as the holder’s adjusted basis of the original note. The Exchange Offer will not have any U.S. federal income tax consequences for a nonexchanging holder of an original note.

Taxation of U.S. Holders

Interest

A U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary interest income the stated interest on a note at the time the interest accrues or is received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Optional Redemption and Change of Control

We intend to take the position that the likelihood of an optional redemption, as described under “Description of the Notes—Redemption by the Company,” or of a Change of Control Offer, as described under “Description of the Notes—Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event,” is remote within the meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations and, in accordance with such treatment, a U.S. Holder would not be required to take into account any such payment until such payment is made by the Company. However, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may take a contrary position, which could affect both the timing of a U.S. Holder’s recognition of income from the notes and our deduction with respect to such payment.

Sale, Exchange or Disposition of the Notes

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of an exchange note, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized on the disposition (not including the amount allocable to accrued and unpaid interest not previously included in gross income, which will be treated as ordinary interest income), and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. The amount realized will equal the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the disposition of the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note will generally equal such U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the note reduced by any principal payments on the note received by such U.S. Holder. The capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the note exceeds one year at the time of the disposition.

Market Discount

A U.S. Holder that purchases a note for an amount that is less than its principal amount will have market discount with respect to the note in the amount of such excess. Such U.S. Holder is required (unless the market discount is less than a de minimis amount) to treat any principal payments on, or any gain realized on the disposition or retirement of such note, as interest income to the extent of the market discount that accrued while such U.S. Holder held the note, unless the U.S. Holder elects to include the market discount in income on a current basis (see “Accrual Method Election” below). “Accrued” market discount is determined on a straight-line basis or, at the U.S. Holder’s election, on a constant-yield basis. Market discount is considered to be a de minimis amount if it is less than one-quarter of one percent of the note’s principal amount multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity after the U.S. Holder acquired the note. If a U.S. Holder disposes of a note with more than a de minimis amount of market discount in a nontaxable transaction in exchange for property whose adjusted basis is determined by reference to the adjusted basis of the note, such U.S. Holder must include all market discount in income as if such U.S. Holder had sold the note at its then fair market value.

If a U.S. Holder acquires a note at a market discount and does not make the accrual method election described below, such U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the note until the deferred income is realized.

 

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Accrual Method Election

A U.S. Holder that purchases a note with market discount may elect to include in gross income such U.S. Holder’s entire return on the note (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the note over the amount such U.S. Holder paid for the note) based on the compounding of interest at a constant rate. Such an election will result in a deemed election for all of such U.S. Holder’s debt instruments with market discount to include the market discount currently, and for all of such U.S. Holder’s debt instruments with amortizable bond premium to amortize the premium. The election may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.

Bond Premium

A U.S. Holder that purchases a note for an amount in excess of its principal amount will have premium with respect to the note in the amount of such excess. Such U.S. Holder may elect to treat the premium as “amortizable bond premium.” If such an election is made, the amount of interest such U.S. Holder must include in income for each accrual period is reduced by the portion of the premium allocable to such period based on the note’s yield to maturity. If the amortizable bond premium exceeds the interest allocable to the accrual period, the electing U.S. Holder must treat the excess as a bond premium deduction for the accrual period. However, the amount treated as a bond premium deduction is limited to the amount by which such U.S. Holder’s total interest income on the note in prior accrual periods exceeds the total amount treated by such U.S. Holder as bond premium on the note in prior accrual periods. A U.S. Holder generally may not assume that a note will be redeemed or converted prior to maturity for this purpose. If the note is in fact redeemed, such U.S. Holder may deduct any unamortized premium in the year of redemption. If a U.S. Holder makes the election described in this paragraph, the election will apply to all debt instruments the interest on which is not excludible from gross income (“fully taxable bonds”) that such U.S. Holder holds at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies and to all fully taxable bonds such U.S. Holder later acquires. The election may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.

If a U.S. Holder does not make this election, such U.S. Holder must include the full amount of each interest payment in income as described in “Interest” above. The U.S. Holder will receive a tax benefit from the premium only in computing gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition or retirement of the note.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28%, on payments of principal and interest on, and the proceeds of the disposition of, the notes, if the U.S. Holder (1) fails to provide a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), which, for an individual, would generally be his or her Social Security Number, (2) provides an incorrect TIN, (3) is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report payments of interest or dividends, or (4) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that it is exempt from withholding. In addition, such payments of principal, interest and disposition proceeds to U.S. Holders will generally be subject to information reporting.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld from payment to a U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the U.S. Holder to a refund, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders

Interest

Interest paid by the Company to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax if (i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total

 

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voting power of all voting stock of the Company and the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation with respect to which the Company is a “related person” within the meaning of the Code and (ii) the requirements of section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code are satisfied as described below under the heading “Owner Statement Requirement.”

Notwithstanding the above, a Non-U.S. Holder that is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business will be subject to (i) U.S. federal income tax on interest that is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (or, if a treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of such Non-U.S. Holder) and (ii) if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, a U.S. branch profits tax equal to 30% of its “effectively connected earnings and profits” as adjusted for the taxable year, unless the Non-U.S. Holder qualifies for an exemption from such tax or a lower tax rate under an applicable treaty. Any such interest that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business or attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. person.

Gain on Disposition

A Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a sale, redemption or other disposition of notes unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder (or, if a treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of such Non-U.S. Holder) or (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder who is a nonresident alien individual, such Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other requirements are met. Any such gain that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business or attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if such Non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder and, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, such gain may also be subject to the 30% U.S. branch profits tax described above.

Owner Statement Requirement

Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Code require that either the beneficial owner of a note or a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a “Financial Institution”) and that holds notes on behalf of such owner file a statement with the Company or its agent to the effect that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person in order to avoid withholding of U.S. federal income tax (an “Owner’s Statement”).

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Current U.S. federal income tax law provides that in the case of payments of interest to Non-U.S. Holders, backup withholding generally will not apply to payments made outside the United States by the Company or a paying agent on a note if an Owner’s Statement is received or an exemption has otherwise been established; provided in each case that the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, does not have actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available. Any amounts withheld from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against such Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

The Company will initially issue the Exchange Notes in the form of one or more global notes. Each global note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Except as described below, a global note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to DTC or another nominee of DTC. You may hold your beneficial interests in any global note directly through DTC if you have an account with DTC or indirectly through organizations which have accounts with DTC.

DTC has advised the Company as follows:

 

   

it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York,

 

   

it is a member of the Federal Reserve System,

 

   

is a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and

 

   

it is “a clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with it (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, which may include the initial purchasers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC and the NASD. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

The Company expects that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC, upon the deposit of a global note with DTC, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amount of notes represented by the global note to the accounts of participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the initial purchasers. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global note will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC, with respect to participants’ interests, or by DTC’s direct and indirect participants, with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global note other than participants. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global note.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered holder and owner of the global note, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner and holder of any notes evidenced by the global note for all purposes of the notes and the indenture. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the notes; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the participants to whose accounts such notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants and indirect participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers. Except as set forth below, as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global note, you will not be entitled to have the notes represented by the global note registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered to be the owner or holder of any notes under the global note. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of the global note, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take the action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through those participants and indirect participants.

 

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Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to participants, by participants to indirect participants, and by participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners of the notes may wish to take certain steps to augment transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the notes, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults and proposed amendments to the security

documents. Beneficial owners of the notes may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the notes for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to beneficial owners, or in the alternative, beneficial owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of the notices be provided directly to them.

Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the notes within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each participant in such issue to be redeemed.

The Company will make payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on notes represented by the global note registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global note.

The Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the global note will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global note as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants or indirect participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through direct and indirect participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants. The Company will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global note for any note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its direct or indirect participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global note owning through those participants.

Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global note among participants in DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not obtained, note certificates are required to be printed and delivered as described under “Description of Exchange Notes.” Neither the Trustee nor the Company will have any responsibility or liability for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable, but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with the resale of the Exchange Notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for original notes where such original notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, starting on the expiration date and ending on the close of business on the first anniversary of the expiration date, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until                  , 2007 (90 days after the date of delivery of this prospectus), all broker-dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.

 

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We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such methods of resale. These resales may be made at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any of the Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period of 90 days after the expiration date, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests these documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the performance of our obligations in connection with the Exchange Offer. We will indemnify the holders of the notes (including any broker-dealer) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the notes and the Guarantee have been passed upon for the Company and the Guarantor by Hogan & Hartson LLP, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of News Corporation appearing in News Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2006, and News Corporation management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2006 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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We have not authorized any dealer or salesperson or other person to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. The information in this prospectus is current only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

 


Until                     , 2007, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

US$1,000,000,000

LOGO

News America Incorporated

Exchange Offer of

US$1,000,000,000 of our 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037

Unconditionally Guaranteed by

News Corporation

                    , 2007

 


 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

News America and News Corporation are each governed by the laws of the state of Delaware. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, provided that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court determines that such an indemnification is proper under the circumstances.

With Respect to News America Incorporated

News America’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that News America shall indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

News America’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that no director shall be liable to News America or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to News America or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction in which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

News Corporation maintains insurance on behalf of its officers and directors and officers and directors of its subsidiaries, including News America, against any liability which may be asserted against any such officer or director, subject to certain customary exclusions.

With Respect to News Corporation

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation in its original certificate of incorporation, or an amendment thereto validly approved by stockholders, to eliminate or limit personal liability of members of its Board of Directors for violations of a director’s fiduciary duty of care. However, the elimination or limitation shall not apply where there has been a breach of the duty of loyalty, failure to act in good faith, intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of a law, the payment of a dividend or approval of a stock repurchase which is deemed illegal or an improper personal benefit is obtained.

News Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director shall not be liable to News Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

The Amended and Restated By-Laws of News Corporation provide, generally, that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it exists or may in the future be amended, News Corporation will indemnify each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to or who is otherwise involved in, any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal or otherwise, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of News Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or is or was serving at the request of News Corporation as a director or officer of any other corporation, partnership or other enterprise, whether the basis of

 

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such action, suit or proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer (and may indemnify, to the extent authorized by its Board of Directors, any officer, employee or agent of News Corporation), against all expense, liability, and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to such person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent, as the case may be, and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors, and administrators.

News Corporation maintains insurance on behalf of its officers and directors.

Article VII of News Corporation’s Amended and Restated By-Laws includes the following language:

“ARTICLE VII- INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Indemnification.

Each person who was or is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of any other corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or in any other capacity while serving as a director, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise or other taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors, and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this ARTICLE VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

Section 2. Advancement of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that no such advancement of expenses shall be made except upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision or order from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this ARTICLE VII or otherwise.”

Section 8. Indemnification of Other Persons.

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant indemnification rights and rights to the advancement of expenses to any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provision of this ARTICLE VII and as permitted by the DGCL with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses to directors.”

 

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ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Number   

Description

3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of News Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2004).
3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of News Corporation, dated February 25, 2005.*
4.1    Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 1993).
4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-63604) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 1993).
4.3    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-63604) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 1993).
4.4    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-98238) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 1995).
4.5    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1995, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-98238) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 1995).
4.6    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 1998, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement of News America Incorporated on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-8744) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1998).

 

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Number   

Description

4.7    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1999, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001).
4.8    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2001, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001).
4.9    Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2003, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003).
4.10    Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2004).
4.11    Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2005, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.3 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2006).
4.12    Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.4 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2006).
4.13    Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2007, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantor named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities.*
4.14    Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 2, 2007, by and among News America Incorporated and the Guarantors listed therein and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Initial Purchaser. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2007).
4.15    Form of Notes representing $1 billion principal amount of 6.150% Senior Notes due 2037 and Officers’ Certificate of News Corporation relating thereto, dated March 2, 2007, pursuant to Section 301 of the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, as supplemented, among News America, News Corporation, as guarantor, and the other subsidiary guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2007).
5.1    Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to News America Incorporated.*
5.2    Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to the Guarantor.*

 

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Table of Contents
Number   

Description

10.1    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2007, among News America Incorporated, News Corporation and the initial lenders named herein, Citibank, N.A. as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2007.
12.1    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of News Corporation.*
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP regarding News Corporation.*
23.2    Consent of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to News America Incorporated (included in Exhibit 5.1).*
23.3    Consent of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to the Guarantor (included in Exhibit 5.2).*
24    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages hereof).*
25    Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.*
99.1    Form of Letter of Transmittal.*
99.2    Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.*
99.3    Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.*
99.4    Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees and Form of Letter to Clients.*

* Filed herewith.

ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS

1. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants’ annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

2. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:

(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a

 

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registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

4. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake: (i) to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means; and (ii) to arrange or provide for a facility in the U.S. for the purpose of responding to such requests. The undertaking in subparagraph (i) above includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

5. The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 29th day of May, 2007.

 

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

By:

 

/s/    PETER CHERNIN        

 

Peter Chernin

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints K. Rupert Murdoch, David F. DeVoe and Lawrence A. Jacobs, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all pre- or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 29, 2007.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    K. RUPERT MURDOCH        

K. Rupert Murdoch

  

Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    DAVID F. DEVOE        

David F. DeVoe

  

Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    PETER CHERNIN        

Peter Chernin

  

Director

/s/    LAWRENCE A. JACOBS        

Lawrence A. Jacobs

  

Director

/s/    PAUL V. CARLUCCI        

Paul V. Carlucci

  

Director

/s/    ANTHEA DISNEY        

Anthea Disney

  

Director

/s/    STANLEY S. SHUMAN        

Stanley S. Shuman

  

Director

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 29th day of May, 2007.

 

NEWS CORPORATION

By:  

/s/    K. RUPERT MURDOCH        

 

K. Rupert Murdoch

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints K. Rupert Murdoch, David F. DeVoe and Lawrence A. Jacobs, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all pre- or post-effective amendments to this registration statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 29, 2007.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    K. RUPERT MURDOCH        

  
K. Rupert Murdoch   

Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    DAVID F. DEVOE        

  
David F. DeVoe   

Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    CHASE CAREY        

  
Chase Carey   

Director

/s/    PETER CHERNIN        

  
Peter Chernin   

Director

/s/    LACHLAN K. MURDOCH        

  
Lachlan K. Murdoch   

Director

/s/    ARTHUR M. SISKIND        

  
Arthur M. Siskind   

Director

 

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Signature

  

Title

/s/    PETER BARNES        

  
Peter Barnes   

Director

/s/    KENNETH E. COWLEY        

  
Kenneth E. Cowley   

Director

/s/    VIET DINH        

  
Viet Dinh   

Director

/s/    RODERICK I. EDDINGTON        

  
Roderick I. Eddington   

Director

/s/    ANDREW S.B. KNIGHT        

  
Andrew S. B. Knight   

Director

/s/    THOMAS J. PERKINS        

  
Thomas J. Perkins   

Director

/s/    JOHN L. THORNTON        

  
John L. Thornton   

Director

/s/    JOSÉ MARÍA AZNAR        

  
José María Aznar   

Director

/s/    RODERICK R. PAIGE        

  
Roderick R. Paige   

Director

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Number   

Description

3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of News Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2004).
3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of News Corporation, dated February 25, 2005.*
4.1    Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 1993).
4.2    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-63604) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 1993.
4.3    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-63604) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-59688) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 28, 1993).
4.4    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1993, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-98238) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 1995).
4.5    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1995, by and among News America Incorporated (formerly News America Holdings Incorporated), The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of News America Holdings Incorporated (currently News America Incorporated) on Form F-3 (Registration No. 33-98238) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 1995).
4.6    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 1998, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement of News America Incorporated on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-8744) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 1998).

 

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Number   

Description

4.7    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1999, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001).
4.8    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2001, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2001).
4.9    Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2003, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the Annual Report of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. on Form 10-K (File No. 1-14595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003).
4.10    Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, by and among News America Incorporated, The News Corporation Limited, the other Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2004).
4.11    Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2005, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.3 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2006).
4.12    Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities (Incorporated by reference Exhibit 4.4 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 9, 2006).
4.13    Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2007, by and among News America Incorporated, the guarantor named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to senior debt securities.*
4.14    Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 2, 2007, by and among News America Incorporated and the Guarantors listed therein and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Initial Purchaser. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2007).
4.15    Form of Notes representing $1 billion principal amount of 6.150% Senior Notes due 2037 and Officers’ Certificate of News Corporation relating thereto, dated March 2, 2007, pursuant to Section 301 of the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, as supplemented, among News America, News Corporation, as guarantor, and the other subsidiary guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Quarterly Report of News Corporation on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2007).
5.1    Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to News America Incorporated.*
5.2    Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to the Guarantor.*

 

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Table of Contents
Number   

Description

10.1    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2007, among News America Incorporated, News Corporation and the initial lenders named herein, Citibank, N.A. as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report of News Corporation on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32352) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2007).
12.1    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of News Corporation.*
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP regarding News Corporation.*
23.2    Consent of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to News America Incorporated (included in Exhibit 5.1).*
23.3    Consent of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to the Guarantor (included in Exhibit 5.2).*
24    Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages hereof).*
25    Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.*
99.1    Form of Letter of Transmittal.*
99.2    Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.*
99.3    Form of Exchange Agent Agreement.*
99.4    Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees and Form of Letter to Clients.*

* Filed herewith.

 

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EX-3.2 2 dex32.htm AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS OF NEWS CORPORATION Amended and Restated By-laws of News Corporation

Exhibit 3.2

NEWS CORPORATION

(HEREINAFTER CALLED THE “CORPORATION”)

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting.

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting in accordance with these By-laws, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors (hereinafter the “Board”) and stated in the notice of meeting.

Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be transacted by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of the notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this section.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 1(a) of this ARTICLE I, (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation; (ii) such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”); (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice, as that term is defined in subclause (3)(dd) of this Section 1(b), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial holder to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice; and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this section. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 45 or more than 75 days prior to the first anniversary (the “Anniversary”) of the date on which the Corporation first mailed its proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (B) the 10th day following


the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For purposes of the first annual meeting held after January 1, 2005, the Anniversary shall be deemed to be September 16, 2005. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (1) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominees as directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such person’s written consent to serve as a director if elected; (2) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of such business, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the By-laws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment); and (3) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (aa) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (bb) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (cc) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (dd) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.

Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of the preceding paragraph of this Section 1(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least 55 days prior to the Anniversary, a stockholder’s notice required by this By-law shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation. Only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1(b) shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1(b). Except as otherwise provided by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting has been made in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-laws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these By-laws, to declare that such defective proposed business or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(b),

 

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unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1(b), to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

For purposes of this section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1(b), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1(b). The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 1(b) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal or nomination at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal or nomination has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting, and nothing in this Section 1(b) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. The provisions of this Section 1(b) shall be subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more outstanding series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or by series, as applicable, to elect directors pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as may be amended or restated from time to time, including any and all Certificates of Designations with respect to any Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Corporation (hereinafter the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

Section 2. Special Meetings.

Except as otherwise required by law or as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the total number of directors then constituting the entire Board, without regard to any vacancies on the Board (the “entire Board”), or by the Chairman or a Vice Chairman. The foregoing notwithstanding, whenever the holders of any one or more outstanding series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or by series, as applicable, to elect directors at any annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders, the calling of special meetings of the holders of such class or series shall be subject to the terms of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to such series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The Board may postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting.

 

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Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board or (b) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation, if (i) the stockholder’s notice required by the first paragraph of Section 1(b) of ARTICLE I shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting, (ii) the procedures provided for in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the first paragraph of Section 1(b) of ARTICLE I and the fifth and sixth sentences of such paragraph shall have been complied with, and (iii) such stockholder is stockholder of record at the time of giving of such stockholder’s notice and is entitled to vote at the meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings.

Except as otherwise provided herein or required by applicable law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the DGCL) or the Certificate of Incorporation, notice of the place, if any, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called, shall be given by mailing, postage prepaid, a copy of such notice addressed to each stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting at his or her address as recorded on the books of the Corporation, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, unless otherwise required by law.

When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than 30 days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the place, date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 4. Quorum.

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority in voting power of all of the outstanding shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to any class or series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

 

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If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than by announcement to the meeting, to another date, place and time until a quorum shall be present.

Section 5. Organization.

The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation, or, in his or her absence, such person as the Board may have designated or, in the absence of such a person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or represented by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation, or if he or she is not present, any Assistant Secretary, or in the absence of any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, any person the chairman of the meeting appoints shall act as the Secretary of the meeting.

Section 6. Place of Meetings.

Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof given in accordance with Section 2 of ARTICLE VI.

Section 7. Conduct of Business.

The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and adjourn the meeting and to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of the chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business at the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 8. Proxies and Voting.

At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder represented at a meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to cast one vote for each share of capital stock entitled to vote thereat held by such stockholder.

 

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All voting, except as may be required by law, including voting for the election of directors may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by a stockholder entitled to vote or by his or her proxy, or upon resolution by the Board in its discretion or by action of the chairman of the meeting, in his or her discretion, a stock vote may be taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by written ballots, each of which shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting.

Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, (a) at all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect, and (b) any other question brought before any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast thereon by the holders represented and entitled to vote thereon.

Section 9. Stock List.

The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting in accordance with applicable law. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present.

The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 9 of this ARTICLE I or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 10. Inspection of Elections.

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

The inspectors shall, in accordance with these By-laws and the Certificate of Incorporation, ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, count all votes and ballots, determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination made by the inspectors, and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots.

 

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The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of their duties. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall act in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE II- BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number, Election and Term of Directors.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock to elect additional directors, the total number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than three with the then-authorized number of directors being fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board.

The Board of Directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock Directors”) or by holders of any series of Series Common Stock (the “Series Common Stock Directors”)) shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I directors shall initially serve until the third annual meeting of stockholders after January 1, 2005 and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office; Class II directors shall initially serve until the second annual meeting of stockholders after January 1, 2005 and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office; and Class III directors shall initially serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders after January 1, 2005 and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders after January 1, 2005, at each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the directors of the class the term of which shall then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office. In case of any increase or decrease, from time to time, in the number of directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors and the Series Common Stock Directors), the number of directors in each class shall be apportioned as nearly equally as possible.

Section 2. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies.

Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or more series of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board. Any director so chosen shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal from office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, or any applicable law or pursuant to an order of a court. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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Section 3. Regular Meetings.

A meeting of the Board shall be held after the annual meeting of the stockholders and regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board and publicized among all directors. Meetings may be held either within or without the State of Delaware. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

Section 4. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, by the Vice Chairman, by the Chief Executive Officer, by the President or by two or more directors then in office and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Meetings may be held either within or without the State of Delaware. Notice thereof, stating the place, date and time of each such special meeting shall be given each director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice not less than four days before the meeting, or personally by telephone, telegraph, or telex, electronic transmission or similar means of communication not less than 12 hours before the meeting, or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling the meeting may deem necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.

Section 5. Quorum; Vote Required for Action.

Except as may be otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, at all meetings of the Board, a majority of the entire Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board. The directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

Section 6. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone.

Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 7. Conduct of Business; Action by Consent.

At any meeting of the Board, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine. The Board may take action without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or the electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board in accordance with applicable law.

 

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Section 8. Powers.

The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders of the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:

(a) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;

(b) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;

(c) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in connection therewith;

(d) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being;

(e) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

(f) To adopt from time to time such stock option, stock purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;

(g) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and

(h) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these By-laws, for the management of the Corporation’s business and affairs.

Section 9. Compensation of Directors.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of the directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or paid a stated salary or paid other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be paid like compensation for serving on a committee.

 

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ARTICLE III- COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees of the Board.

The Board shall designate such committees as may be required by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (or any other principal United States exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation may be listed) and may from time to time designate other committees of the Board (including an executive committee), with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

Section 2. Conduct of Business.

Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the duly delegated powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The Board shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of any such committee shall be conducted. In the absence of any such prescription, any such committee shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which its proceedings shall be conducted. Unless the Board or such committee shall otherwise provide, regular and special meetings and other actions of any such committee shall be governed by the provisions of ARTICLE II applicable to meetings and actions of the Board. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board when required.

ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS

Section 1. General.

The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board and shall be a Chairman of the Board (who must be a director), a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board, in its sole discretion, may also choose one or more Vice Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Senior Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and other officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws. The Board may, from time to time, delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof.

Section 2. Election.

The Board at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time solely by the Board, which determination may be by resolution of the Board or in any By-law provisions duly adopted

 

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or approved by the Board; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. The salaries of the officers elected by the Board shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or by such officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board. Any officer elected by the Board may be removed at any time by the Board with or without cause. Only the Board may fill any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation.

Section 3. Chairman of the Board.

The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of stockholders (unless the Board designates another person) and shall have such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board.

Section 4. Vice Chairman of the Board.

The Vice Chairman shall report and be responsible to the Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned or delegated to him or her by the Board or are incident to the office of Vice Chairman. During the absence, disability, or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board. In the absence or disability of both the Vice Chairman and the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or another person designated by the Board shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Vice Chairman, and unless otherwise determined by the Board, the duties and powers of the Chairman.

Section 5. Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the provisions of the By-laws and the control of the Board, have general and active management, direction, and supervision over the business of the Corporation and over its officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board. He or she shall have the right to delegate any of his or her powers to any other officer or employee. During the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board and/or the Vice Chairman, or at the request of the Chairman of the Board or Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Vice Chairman and/or the Chairman of the Board, as the case may be. In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the person designated by the Board shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer, and if so determined by the Board, the duties and powers of the Vice Chairman and/or the Chairman of the Board, as the case may be.

Section 6. Chief Operating Officer.

The Chief Operating Officer shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for him or her by the Board or are incident to the office of Chief Operating Officer.

 

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Section 7. President.

The President shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for him or her by the Board or are incident to the office of President.

Section 8. Senior Executive Vice Presidents.

The Senior Executive Vice Presidents shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board or are incident to the office of Senior Executive Vice President.

Section 9. Senior Vice Presidents.

The Senior Vice Presidents shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board or are incident to the office of Senior Vice President.

Section 10. Vice Presidents.

The Vice Presidents shall have such powers and perform such duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board or are incident to the office of Vice President.

Section 11. Secretary.

The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or such other place as the Board may order, a book of minutes of all meetings of stockholders, the Board and its committees, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice thereof given, the names of those present at Board and committee meetings, the number of shares present or represented at stockholders’ meetings, and the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, a copy of the By-laws of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation or such other place as the Board may order.

The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one be appointed, a stock register, or a duplicate stock register, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders, and of the Board and any committees thereof required by these By-laws or by law to be given, shall keep the seal of the Corporation in safe custody and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.

 

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Section 12. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds and securities of the Corporation and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Corporation, and shall send or cause to be sent to the stockholders of the Corporation such financial statements and reports as are required by law or these By-laws to be sent to them.

The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, shall render to the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and the Board, whenever any of them requests it, an account of all transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board.

Section 13. Other Officers.

Such other officers or assistant officers as the Board may designate shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board. The Board may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers.

Section 14. Execution of Contracts and Other Documents.

Each officer of the Corporation may execute, affix the corporate seal and/or deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, deeds, mortgages, notes, bonds, contracts, agreements, powers of attorney, guarantees, settlements, releases, evidences of indebtedness, conveyances, or any other document or instrument which is authorized by the Board or is required to be executed in the ordinary course of business of the Corporation, except in cases where the execution, affixation of the corporate seal and/or delivery thereof shall be expressly and exclusively delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Corporation.

Section 15. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations.

Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or any other officer or officers authorized by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and any such officer may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, vote, represent and exercise on behalf of the Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation and take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities and at any such meeting shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board may, by resolution from time to time, confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

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ARTICLE V- STOCK

Section 1. Certificates of Stock.

The Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, every holder of stock represented by certificates and, upon request, every holder of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to a certificate certifying the number of shares owned by him or her and signed in the name of the Corporation (a) by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, President or any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President and (b) by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Where a certificate is countersigned by (i) a transfer agent or (ii) a registrar, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar whose signature appears on the certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 2. Transfers of Stock.

Transfers of shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock record of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his, her or its attorney thereunto authorized by the power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof, and only on surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power. Registration of transfer of any shares shall be subject to applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law with respect to the transfer of such shares. The Board may make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue and transfer of certificates representing shares of the capital stock of the Corporation.

Section 3. Record Date.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in any other lawful action (except as otherwise provided in Section 3(b) of this ARTICLE V, the Board may fix a record date in respect of such meeting, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is so adopted and shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting; provided, however, that if no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts a resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

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(b) If the Certificate of Incorporation shall provide that any holders of Series Common Stock or Preferred Stock may act by a consent in writing, then (unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation) the record date for determining such stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be as fixed by the Board or as otherwise established under this Section 4(b). Any person seeking to have any such stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent without a meeting shall, by written notice addressed to the Secretary and delivered to the Corporation, request that a record date be fixed for such purpose. The Board may fix a record date for such purpose, which shall be no more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and shall not precede the date such resolution is adopted. If the Board fails within 10 days after the Corporation receives such notice to fix a record date for such purpose, the record date shall be the day on which the first written consent is delivered to the Corporation in the manner prescribed by the DGCL, unless prior action by the Board is required under the DGCL, in which event the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

The Board may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Section 5. Regulations.

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board may establish.

Section 6. Record Owners.

The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.

 

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ARTICLE VI- NOTICES

Section 1. Notices.

Whenever notice is required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, recognized overnight delivery service or by sending such notice by facsimile, receipt acknowledged, by prepaid telegram or mailgram or by electronic transmission in accordance with the DGCL. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered, or dispatched, if delivered through the mails or by telegram or facsimile shall be the time of the giving of the notice.

Section 2. Waivers.

A written waiver or a waiver by electronic transmission of any notice, signed or given by a stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting except attendance for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE VII– INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Indemnification.

Each person who was or is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of any other corporation or of a partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, or in any other capacity (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in such person’s official capacity or in any other capacity while holding such office, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, against all expense, liability, and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise or other taxes assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan, penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to serve as a director or officer or in any other capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors, and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 3 of this ARTICLE VII with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

16


Section 2. Advancement of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by indemnitee in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that no such advancement of expenses shall be made except upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision or order from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this ARTICLE VII or otherwise.

Section 3. Enforcement.

The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in Sections 1 and 2 of this ARTICLE VII shall be contract rights. If (i) a claim for indemnification after the final disposition of a proceeding under such Section 1 is not paid in full within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation or if (ii) a claim for an advancement of expenses under Section 2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 20 days after a written claim (together with the requisite undertaking) has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL, and (b) any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board, any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board, any committee thereof, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this ARTICLE VII or otherwise, shall be on the Corporation.

 

17


Section 4. Rights Non-Exclusive.

The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this ARTICLE VII shall not be exclusive of any right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, By-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

Section 5. Insurance.

The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any expense, liability, or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability, or loss under the DGCL.

Section 6. Indemnification by Other Enterprises.

The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving as a director of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation or, at the request of the Corporation, of any other corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

Section 7. Repeal or Modification.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE VII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

Section 8. Indemnification of Other Persons.

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant indemnification rights and rights to the advancement of expenses to any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provision of this ARTICLE VII and as permitted by the DGCL with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses to directors.

ARTICLE VIII- MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Facsimile Signatures.

In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these By-laws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board or a committee thereof.

 

18


Section 2. Corporate Seal.

The Board may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.

Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, to the fullest extent permitted by law be protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 4. Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board.

Section 5. Time Periods.

In applying any provision of these By-laws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be included, and the day of the event shall be excluded.

Section 6. Disbursements.

All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate.

ARTICLE IX- AMENDMENTS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, repeal, alter or amend these By-laws by the vote of a majority of the entire Board. In addition to any requirements of law and any other provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions of the Board adopted pursuant to ARTICLE IV of the Certificate of Incorporation (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or any such resolution or resolutions), the affirmative vote of the holders of 65% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of these By-laws.

 

19

EX-4.13 3 dex413.htm TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE Twelfth Supplemental Indenture

Exhibit 4.13

 


NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED,

Company,

NEWS CORPORATION,

Guarantor

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

Trustee

 


TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of May 23, 2007

Amending and Supplementing the

Amended and Restated Indenture

Dated as of March 24, 1993

 


Senior Securities

 



TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 23, 2007, among News America Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with its principal office located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, News Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“News Corporation”), News Australia Holdings Pty Limited, an Australia corporation (ABN 32 105 197 028) (“NAHPL”), FEG Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“FEGH”), Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“FEG”), News America Marketing FSI, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NAM”), News Publishing Australia Limited, a Delaware corporation (“NPAL”) and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation (the “Trustee”), amending and supplementing the Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993 (the “Original Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee, which provided for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s senior debt securities to be issued in one or more series as provided therein. (The Original Indenture, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 1993, the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 1993, the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1993, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1995, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 1998, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1999, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2001, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2003, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2005, the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005 and this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2007 as it may hereafter be supplemented is referred to herein as the or this “Indenture.) Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 907 of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented prior to the date hereof), any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor which issues any guarantee of any Indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million shall under the Indenture guarantee the Securities to the same extent and in the same manner in which such other Indebtedness is so guaranteed; and

WHEREAS, Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD,” Limited Liability Company “Display,” Media Support Services Limited, Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia),” Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management” and Outdoor Systems Limited, which are not currently guarantors under the Indenture, have issued guarantees of indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50 million (the “Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees”) and are required, therefore, to execute this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to the terms of said Section 907 of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented prior to the date hereof); and

WHEREAS, effective May 23, 2007 NAHL, NPAL, FEG, FEGH, NAM, Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD,” Limited Liability Company “Display,” Media Support Services Limited, Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia),” Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management” and Outdoor Systems Limited were each unconditionally and fully released in writing from all obligations under guarantees of


Indebtedness under a Five Year Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 2003 among the Company, as Borrower, the Initial Guarantors and Lenders party to the Credit Agreement, and Citibank, N.A., as Agent (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) and are therefore, pursuant to Section 1205 of the Original Indenture as supplemented by Section 203 of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, released and eliminated from the terms of the Guarantee and as Guarantors under the Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respects; and

WHEREAS, the Original Indenture is subject to the provisions of the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”), that are required to be part of the Original Indenture and the Indenture shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture and has done all things necessary to make this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement in accordance with its terms.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

ARTICLE ONE

ORIGINAL INDENTURE

SECTION 101. Effect of Original Indenture.

Except as specifically provided in this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented prior to the date hereof) shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE TWO

AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE

SECTION 201. Addition of Guarantors.

In accordance with Section 907 of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented prior to the date hereof), each of the following entities hereby agrees to become a Guarantor under the Original Indenture:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD”

  Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Display”

  Russian Federation

Media Support Services Limited

  British Virgin Islands

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia)”

  Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management”

  Russian Federation

Outdoor Systems Limited

  British Virgin Islands


SECTION 202. References in the Indenture

By reason of the Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees, and the continuation, as Guarantor, of the Guarantor under the Indenture, all references in the Indenture to the “Guarantors” are hereby deemed to refer to the following entities, and all references in the Indenture to each or any “Guarantor” are hereby deemed to refer to each of such entities:

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

News Corporation

  Delaware

News Australia Holdings Pty Ltd

  Australia

FEG Holdings, Inc.

  Delaware

Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.

  Delaware

News America Marketing FSI, LLC

  Delaware

News Publishing Australia Limited

  Delaware

Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD”

  Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Display”

  Russian Federation

Media Support Services Limited

  British Virgin Islands

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia)”

  Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management”

  Russian Federation

Outdoor Systems Limited

  British Virgin Islands

SECTION 203. Release of Certain Guarantors.

In accordance with Section 1205 of the Original Indenture as supplemented by Section 203 of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, each of the following entities is hereby eliminated as a Guarantor under the Indenture:

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

News Australia Holdings Pty Ltd

   Australia

FEG Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.

   Delaware

News America Marketing FSI, LLC

   Delaware

News Publishing Australia Limited

   Delaware

Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD”

   Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Display”

   Russian Federation

Media Support Services Limited

   British Virgin Islands

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia)”

   Russian Federation

Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management”

   Russian Federation

Outdoor Systems Limited

   British Virgin Islands


SECTION 204. References in the Indenture.

By reason of the elimination of certain Guarantors pursuant to Section 203 hereof, and the continuation, as Guarantor, of the Guarantor under the Indenture, all references to the “Guarantor” are hereby deemed to refer to News Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as sole Guarantor.

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 301. Effect of Headings.

The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 302. Governing Law.

Subject to the following sentence, this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. This Twelfth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of the Original Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 303. Counterparts.

This Twelfth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 304. Trustee.

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and the Guarantor and not of the Trustee.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

News America Incorporated
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel
News Corporation, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Executive Vice President and Group General Counsel

News Australia Holdings Pty Limited, as

Guarantor

By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Authorized Signatory
FEG Holdings, Inc., as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel


News America Marketing FSI, LLC, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel
News Publishing Australia Limited, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Laurence A. Jacobs
Name:   Laurence A. Jacobs
Title:   Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Media Support Services Limited, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Olga Bortnyaeva
Name:   Olga Bortnyaeva
Title:   as attorney
Outdoor Systems Limited, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Olga Bortnyaeva
Name:   Olga Bortnyaeva
Title:   as attorney


Limited Liability Company “APR City/TVD”, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Vladimir Semyachkin
Name:   Vladimir Semyachkin
Title:   General Director

Limited Liability Company “Display”, as

Guarantor

By:   /s/ Olga Pavlova
Name:   Olga Pavlova
Title:   General Director
Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Marketing (Russia)”, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Igor Chernenko
Name:   Igor Chernenko
Title:   General Director
Limited Liability Company “Outdoor Media Management”, as Guarantor
By:   /s/ Vladimir Ryabovol
Name:   Vladimir Ryabovol
Title:   General Director


The Bank of New York, as Trustee
By:   /s/ Franca Ferrera
Name:   Franca Ferrera
Title:   Assistant Vice President


STATE OF NEW YORK

   )   
   ) ss.:   

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

   )   

On this 23 day of May, 2007, before me personally appeared Laurence Jacobs, who acknowledged himself to be the Senior EVP of News America Incorporated, and that he, as such, being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing in the name of such corporation as such                    .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.

 

By:   /s/ Jacinta T. Palmer
Name:   Jacinta T. Palmer
Title:   Notary Public, State of New York
  No. OITH6062503
  Qualified in Kings County
  Commission Expires Aug 6, 2009
 
  [Notarial Seal]

 

STATE OF NEW YORK

   )   
   ) ss.:   

COUNTY OF NEW YORK

   )   

On this 23 day of May, 2007, before me personally appeared Laurence Jacobs, who acknowledged himself to be the Senior EVP of News Corporation, and that he, as such, being authorized so to do, executed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein contained, by signing in the name of each such corporation as such                     .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.

 

By:   /s/ Jacinta T. Palmer
Name:   Jacinta T. Palmer
Title:   Notary Public, State of New York
  No. OITH6062503
  Qualified in Kings County
  Commission Expires Aug 6, 2009
 
  [Notarial Seal]
EX-5.1 4 dex51.htm OPINION OF HOGAN & HARTSON LLP WITH RESPECT TO NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to News America Incorporated

Exhibit 5.1

May 29, 2007

News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

News Corporation

c/o News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to News America Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed issuance of up to US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Exchange Notes”) in exchange for like amounts of the Company’s outstanding 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Original Notes”) and the related irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Exchange Notes on an unsecured, senior basis by News Corporation as guarantor. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the following documents (the “Transaction Documents”):

 

  1. An executed copy of the Registration Statement.

 

  2. Forms of Exchange Notes and the related irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Exchange Notes.

 

  3. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 29, 2007 and by the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect.

 

  4. The Bylaws of the Company, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect.

 

  5. An executed copy of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2007, by and among the Company, the parties named therein and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as initial purchaser (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

  6.

Resolutions of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted by unanimous written consent dated March 2, 2007, as certified by the Secretary of the Company on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect, relating to, among other things, the


News America Incorporated

News Corporation

May 29, 2007

Page 2

 

 

issuance and sale of the Original Notes and the Exchange Notes, registration of the Exchange Notes in connection with the exchange offer pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and arrangements in connection therewith.

 

  7. The Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 1993, the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 1993, the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1993, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1995, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 1998, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1999, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2001, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2003, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2005, the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005 and the Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2007 (as so supplemented, the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, News Corporation (“News Corporation”), and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

  8. The Officers’ Certificate of the Company, dated March 2, 2007, creating the class and terms of the Original Notes and the Exchange Notes under the Indenture.

In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including telecopies). We have assumed that (i) each of the parties to the Indenture (other than the Company) has all requisite power and authority under all applicable laws, regulations and governing documents to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, as applicable, (ii) each of the parties to the Indenture (other than the Company) has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Transaction Documents, as applicable, (iii) each of the parties to the Indenture (other than the Company) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing in all necessary jurisdictions, (iv) the Indenture constitutes a valid and binding obligation, enforceable against all parties thereto (other than the Company, as applicable) in accordance with its terms, (v) there has been no material mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding or fraud, duress or undue influence in connection with the negotiation, execution or delivery of the Indenture, and (vi) there are and have been no agreements or understandings among the parties, written or oral, and there is and has been no usage of trade or course of prior dealing among the parties that would, in either case, define, supplement or qualify the terms of the Indenture or the Exchange Notes. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of (i) the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, and (ii) the law of the State of New York, (but not including any statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision of the State of New York). We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations. As used herein, the terms “Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended” and “the law of the State of New York” include the statutory provisions contained therein, all applicable provisions of the Delaware and New York Constitutions and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws. With respect to clause (ii) above, the opinion expressed herein is based on a review of those laws that, in our experience, are generally recognized as applicable to the transactions contemplated in the Documents.

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that following (i) the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (ii) due delivery to the Company of the Original Notes in exchange for the Exchange Notes as specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, and (iii) due execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Exchange Notes as provided in the Indenture, the Exchange Notes will constitute legal and binding obligations of the Company.

In addition to the qualifications, exceptions and limitations elsewhere set forth in this opinion letter, our opinion expressed above is also subject to the effect of: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other


News America Incorporated

News Corporation

May 29, 2007

Page 3

 

law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers); and (ii) the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity including, without limitation, requirements of good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the applicable agreements are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the Registration Statement and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Hogan & Hartson LLP

HOGAN & HARTSON LLP

EX-5.2 5 dex52.htm OPINION OF HOGAN & HARTSON LLP WITH RESPECT TO THE GUARANTOR Opinion of Hogan & Hartson LLP with respect to the Guarantor

Exhibit 5.2

May 29, 2007

News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

News Corporation

c/o News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

 

  Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are acting as counsel to News Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“News Corporation”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed issuance by News America Incorporated (“NAI”) of up to US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of NAI’s 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Exchange Notes”) in exchange for like amounts of NAI’s outstanding 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Original Notes”) and the related irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the Exchange Notes on an unsecured, senior basis by News Corporation (the “Guarantee”). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of the following documents (the “Documents”):

 

  1. An executed copy of the Registration Statement.

 

  2. Form of Exchange Notes and the related Guarantee.

 

  3. An executed copy of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2007, by and among NAI, the parties named therein and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as initial purchaser (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

 

  4.

The Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of March 24, 1993, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 1993, the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 28, 1993, the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 21, 1993, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 20, 1995, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 1998, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1999, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2001, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 27, 2003, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 12, 2004, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2005, the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 21, 2005 and the Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 23, 2007 (as so


News America Incorporated

News Corporation

May 29, 2007

Page 2

 

 

supplemented, the “Indenture”), by and among NAI, News Corporation, and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

  5. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of News Corporation, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on May 29, 2007 and by the Secretary of News Corporation on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect.

 

  6. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of News Corporation, as certified by the Secretary of News Corporation on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect.

 

  7. Resolutions of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of News Corporation adopted by unanimous written consent dated March 2, 2007 as certified by the Secretary of News Corporation on the date hereof as being complete, accurate, and in effect, relating to, among other things, the guarantee of the Exchange Notes and the registration of the Exchange Notes in connection with the exchange offer pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and arrangements in connection therewith.

 

  8. The Officers’ Certificate of News Corporation, dated March 2, 2007, creating the terms of the Guarantees under the Indenture.

In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including telecopies). We have assumed that (i) each of the parties to the Indenture and the Guarantee (other than News Corporation) has all requisite power and authority under all applicable laws, regulations and governing documents to execute, deliver and perform its respective obligations under the Indenture and the Guarantee, as applicable, (ii) each of the parties to the Indenture and the Guarantee (other than News Corporation) has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Indenture and the Guarantee, as applicable, (iii) each of the parties to the Indenture and the Guarantee (other than News Corporation) is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing in all necessary jurisdictions, (iv) the Indenture constitutes a valid and binding obligation enforceable against all parties thereto (other than News Corporation, as applicable), in accordance with its terms, (v) there has been no material mutual mistake of fact or misunderstanding or fraud, duress or undue influence in connection with the negotiation, execution or delivery of the Indenture, and (vi) there are and have been no agreements or understandings among the parties, written or oral, and there is and has been no usage of trade or course of prior dealing among the parties that would, in either case, define, supplement or qualify the terms of the Indenture or the Guarantee. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of (i) the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, and (ii) the law of the State of New York (but not including any statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision of the State of New York). We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations. As used herein, the terms “Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended” and “the law of the State of New York” include the statutory provisions contained therein, all applicable provisions of the Delaware and New York Constitutions and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws. With respect to clause (ii) above, the opinion expressed herein is based on a review of those laws that, in our experience, are generally recognized as applicable to the transactions contemplated in the Documents.

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that following (i) effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (ii) due delivery to NAI of the Original Notes in exchange for the Exchange Notes as specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, (iii) due execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of the Exchange Notes as provided in the Indenture, and (iv) due execution, issuance and delivery of the Guarantee as provided in the Indenture, the Guarantee will constitute legal and binding obligations of News Corporation.


News America Incorporated

News Corporation

May 29, 2007

Page 3

 

In addition to the qualifications, exceptions and limitations elsewhere set forth in this opinion letter, our opinion expressed above is also subject to the effect of: (1) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights (including, without limitation, the effect of statutory and other law regarding fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers and preferential transfers); and (2) the exercise of judicial discretion and the application of principles of equity including, without limitation, requirements of good faith, fair dealing, reasonableness, conscionability and materiality (regardless of whether the applicable agreements are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the Registration Statement and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the delivery of this opinion letter.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Hogan & Hartson LLP

HOGAN & HARTSON LLP

EX-12.1 6 dex121.htm RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES OF NEWS CORPORATION Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of News Corporation

Exhibit 12.1

News Corporation

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(in Millions, Except Ratio Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     For the nine
months ended
March 31,
2007
    Fiscal Year Ended June 30,  
       2006     2005     2004     2003    2002  

Earnings:

           

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense and minority interest in subsidiaries

   $ 4,068     $ 4,405     $ 3,561     $ 2,755     $ 1,643    $ (7,234 )

Add:

             

Equity (earnings) losses from affiliates

     (747 )     (888 )     (355 )     (170 )     344      7,782  

Dividends received from affiliates

     145       178       138       81       21      14  

Fixed Charges, net of capitalized interest and perpetual preference dividends

     759       910       845       797       747      832  

Amortization of capitalized interest

     27       44       48       40       35      35  
                                               

Total earnings available for fixed charges

   $ 4,252     $ 4,649     $ 4,237     $ 3,503     $ 2,790    $ 1,429  
                                               

Fixed charges:

             

Interest on debt and finance lease charges, net of capitalized interest

   $ 632     $ 792     $ 737     $ 684     $ 674    $ 767  

Capitalized interest

     15       28       31       42       26      22  

Perpetual preference dividends paid

     —         —         10       27       27      27  

Interest element on rental expense

     127       118       108       113       73      65  
                                               

Total fixed charges

   $ 774     $ 938     $ 886     $ 866     $ 800    $ 881  
                                               

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     5.5       5.0       4.8       4.0       3.5      1.6  
                                               
EX-23.1 7 dex231.htm CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP REGARDING NEWS CORPORATION Consent of Ernst & Young LLP regarding News Corporation

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of News Corporation for the exchange offer of $1,000,000,000 of 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated August 22, 2006, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of News Corporation, News Corporation management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of News Corporation, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young

New York, New York

May 25, 2007

EX-25 8 dex25.htm STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY OF THE TRUSTEE ON FORM T-1 Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1

Exhibit 25

 


FORM T-1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE

ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO

SECTION 305(b)(2)             ¨

 


THE BANK OF NEW YORK

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

New York    13-5160382

(State of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

  

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

One Wall Street, New York, N.Y.    10286
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip code)

 


NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware    13-3249610

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

   10036
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip code)

 


 


NEWS CORPORATION

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

26-0075658

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

(Address of principal executive offices)

  

10036

(Zip code)

 


6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

(Title of the indenture securities)

 



 
 

1.    

   General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:
  

(a)    Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

    

 

Name

 

  

 

Address

 

   Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York    One State Street, New York, N.Y. 10004-1417, and Albany, N.Y. 12223
   Federal Reserve Bank of New York    33 Liberty Street, New York, N.Y. 10045
   Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C. 20429
   New York Clearing House Association    New York, New York 10005
   (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
   Yes.   

2.

   Affiliations with Obligor.   
   If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.
   None.   

16.

   List of Exhibits.   
   Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).
  

1.      A copy of the Organization Certificate of The Bank of New York (formerly Irving Trust Company) as now in effect, which contains the authority to commence business and a grant of powers to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-6215, Exhibits 1a and 1b to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-21672, Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-29637 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121195.)

  

4.      A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121195.)

 

- 3 -


  

6.      The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-106702.)

  

7.      A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

- 4 -


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 20th day of April, 2007.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:   /s/ Cheryl Clarke
 

Name: Cheryl Clarke

Title: Vice President

 

- 5 -


Exhibit 7

 


Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

of One Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

a member of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 2006, published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

ASSETS    Dollar Amounts
In Thousands

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

  

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

   3,375,000

Interest-bearing balances

   11,937,000

Securities:

  

Held-to-maturity securities

   1,729,000

Available-for-sale securities

   17,675,000

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell

  

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

   3,953,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

   162,000

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  

Loans and leases held for sale

   0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

   30,730,000

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

   286,000

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

   30,444,000

Trading assets

   5,047,000

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

   830,000

Other real estate owned

   1,000

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

   292,000

Not applicable

  

Intangible assets:

  

Goodwill

   2,747,000

Other intangible assets

   981,000

Other assets

   6,814,000
    

Total assets

   85,987,000
    

 


LIABILITIES

  

Deposits:

  

In domestic offices

   30,000,000

Noninterest-bearing

   19,293,000

Interest-bearing

   10,707,000

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

   33,219,000

Noninterest-bearing

   472,000

Interest-bearing

   32,747,000

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

  

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices .

   671,000

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   185,000

Trading liabilities

   2,479,000

Other borrowed money: (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

   2,076,000

Not applicable

  

Not applicable

  

Subordinated notes and debentures

   1,955,000

Other liabilities

   6,527,000
    

Total liabilities

   77,112,000
    

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

   144,000

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

   0

Common stock

   1,135,000

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

   2,134,000

Retained earnings

   5,769,000

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   -307,000

Other equity capital components

   0

Total equity capital

   8,731,000
    

Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital

   85,987,000
    

 


I, Thomas P. Gibbons, Chief Financial Officer of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Thomas P. Gibbons,

Chief Financial Officer

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions and is true and correct.

 

Thomas A. Renyi

Gerald L. Hassell

Catherine A. Rein                        

 

                                            Directors

 


EX-99.1 9 dex991.htm FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Form of Letter of Transmittal

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

Letter of Transmittal

for

Tender of any and all Outstanding

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

In Exchange for

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

 


Unconditionally Guaranteed by

The News Corporation Limited

Which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as described in the Prospectus dated                     , 2007.

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                 , 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:

The Bank of New York

 

By Registered or Certified Mail:   Facsimile Transmissions:   By Hand or Overnight Delivery:

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, 7E

New York, New York 10286

Attention:                        

 

(Eligible Institutions Only)

(212)                    

To Confirm by Telephone or

for Information Call:

(212)                    

 

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street

Corporate Trust Services Window

Ground Level

New York, New York 10286

Attention:                        

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

The Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) either if (a) certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Procedures for Tendering” in the Prospectus and an Agent’s Message (as defined below) is not delivered. Certificates, or Book-Entry Confirmation (as defied below) of a book-entry transfer of such Original Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or delivery of an Agent’s Message in lieu thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent’s Message in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal. The term “Book-Entry Confirmation” means a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Original Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC. The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to and received by the Exchange Agent and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce this Letter of Transmittal against such participant.


Holders of Original Notes whose certificates (the “Certificates”) for such Original Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Original Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

All Tendering Holders Must Complete This Box:

 

DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES

If Blank, Please Fill in Name(s) and

Address(es) of Registered Holders

 

Original Notes Tendered

(Attach Additional List if Necessary)

    

Certificate

Number(s)*

 

Aggregate Principal
Amount of

Original Notes

 

Principal Amount

of Original Notes
Tendered (if less

than all)**

                
                
                
   

Total Amount Tendered

         

*  Need not be completed by book-entry holders.

**  Original Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount, provided that if any Original Notes are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered amount thereof must be in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount. All Original Notes held shall be deemed tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column. See Instruction 4.

 

2


(BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

 

¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Tendering Institution:                                                                                                                                                       

DTC Account Number:                                                                                                                                                                      

Transaction Code Number:                                                                                                                                                              

 

¨ CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Registered Holder(s):                                                                                                                                                       

Window Ticket Number (if any):                                                                                                                                                   

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:                                                                                                            

Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery:                                                                                                                         

If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer.

Name of Tendering Institution:                                                                                                                                                       

DTC Account Number.                                                                                                                                                                      

Transaction Code Number:                                                                                                                                                              

 

¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NONEXCHANGED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

 

¨ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE ORIGINAL NOTES FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A “PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER”) AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

3


Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to News America Incorporated (the “Company”), the above-described principal amount of Original Notes in exchange for the like principal amount of the above described exchange notes which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated                      , 2007 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus, constitute the “Exchange Offer”).

Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Original Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Original Notes as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Original Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver certificates for Original Notes (the “Certificates”) to the Company together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned’s agent, of the exchange notes to be issued in exchange for such Original Notes, (ii) present Certificates for transfer, and to transfer the Original Notes on the books of the Company, and (iii) receive for the account of the Company all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Original Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME ARE ACCEPTED FOR EXCHANGE, THE COMPANY WILL ACQUIRE GOOD, MARKETABLE AND UNENCUMBERED TITLE THERETO, FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, RESTRICTIONS, CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES, AND THAT THE ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. THE UNDERSIGNED WELL, UPON REQUEST, EXECUTE AND DELIVER ANY ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF THE ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER TEE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENTS. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this document shall include any participant in DTC) of the Original Notes tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates. The Certificate number(s) and the Original Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.

If any tendered Original Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Original Notes than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Original Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Original Notes tendered by book-entry transfer, such Original Notes will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Procedures for Tendering” in the Prospectus and in the instructions attached hereto will, upon the Company’s acceptance for exchange of such tendered Original

 

4


Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Original Notes tendered hereby.

Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, the undersigned hereby directs that the Exchange Notes be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Notes, that such Exchange Notes be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute Certificates representing Original Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please deliver the Exchange Notes to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned’s signature.

BY TENDERING ORIGINAL NOTES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, OR EFFECTING DELIVERY OF AN AGENT’S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT (i) THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN “AFFILIATE” OF THE COMPANY, (ii) ANY EXCHANGE NOTES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS, (iii) THE UNDERSIGNED HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING WITH ANY PERSON TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF EXCHANGE NOTES TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND (iv) IF THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A BROKER-DEALER, THE UNDERSIGNED IS NOT ENGAGED IN, AND DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES. BY TENDERING ORIGINAL NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, OR EFFECTING DELIVERY OF AN AGENT’S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, A HOLDER OF ORIGINAL NOTES THAT IS A BROKER-DEALER REPRESENTS AND AGREES, CONSISTENT WITH CERTAIN INTERPRETIVE LETTERS ISSUED BY THE STAFF OF THE DIVISION OF CORPORATION FINANCE OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION TO THIRD PARTIES, THAT (A) SUCH ORIGINAL NOTES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH ORIGINAL NOTES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND IT WILL DELIVER THE PROSPECTUS (AS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES (PROVIDED THAT, BY SO ACKNOWLEDGING AND BY DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS, SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT IS AN “UNDERWRITER” WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).

THE COMPANY HAS AGREED THAT, SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE PROSPECTUS, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR ORIGINAL NOTES, WHERE SUCH ORIGINAL NOTES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING ACTIVITIES OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES, FOR A PERIOD ENDING 90 DAYS AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION UNDER CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN ALL SUCH EXCHANGE NOTES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER. IN THAT REGARD, EACH BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED ORIGINAL NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A “PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER”), BY TENDERING SUCH ORIGINAL NOTES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, OR EFFECTING DELIVERY OF AN AGENT’S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF, AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT OF NOTICE FROM

 

5


THE COMPANY OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY EVENT OR THE DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT THAT MAKES ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUS UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL RESPECT OR THAT CAUSES THE PROSPECTUS TO OMIT TO STATE A MATERIAL FACT NECESSARY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENTS, SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS UNTIL THE COMPANY HAS AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT SUCH MISSTATEMENT OR OMISSION AND HAS FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER OR THE COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF THE COMPANY GIVES SUCH NOTICE TO SUSPEND THE SALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES, THEY SHALL EXTEND THE 90-DAY PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE WHEN PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS SHALL HAVE RECEIVED COPIES OF THE SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED PROSPECTUS NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES OR TO AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF EXCHANGE NOTES MAY BE RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

AS A RESULT, A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WHO INTENDS TO USE THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR ORIGINAL NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST NOTIFY THE COMPANY, OR CAUSE THE COMPANY TO BE NOTIFIED, ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE, THAT IT IS A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER. SUCH NOTICE MAY BE GIVEN IN THE SPACE PROVIDED ABOVE OR MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS IN THE SECTION ENTITLED “THE EXCHANGE OFFER” UNDER THE HEADING “EXCHANGE AGENT.”

The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Original Notes tendered hereby. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.

THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE ORIGINAL NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.

 

6


HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE

(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)

(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE 15)

(NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)

Must be signed by registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Certificate(s) hereby tendered or on the register of holders maintained by the Company, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may be required by the Company for the Original Notes to comply with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Notes). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative capacity, please set forth the signer’s full title. See Instruction 5.

 


 

 


(Signature(s) of Holder(s))

Date:                      , 2007

Name(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 


(Please Print)

Capacity (full title):                                                                                                                                                                                       

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

 


(Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number:                                                                                                                                                        

 

 


(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

 

 

 


(Authorized Signature)

Date:                      , 2007

Name of Firm:                                                                                                                                                                                                

Capacity (full title):                                                                                                                                                                                       

(Please Print)

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

 


 

 


(Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number:                                                                                                                                                        

 

 

7


(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL

SECURITY NUMBER(S))

 

SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

     

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

   

To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes or Original Notes not tendered are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder of the Original Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.

     

To be completed ONLY if Exchange Notes or Original Notes not tendered are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder of the Original Notes whose name(s) appear(s) at an address other than that shown above.

   

Issue: ¨ Original Notes not tendered to:

            ¨ Exchange Notes to:

     

Issue: ¨ Original Notes not tendered to:

            ¨ Exchange Notes to:

   
Name:                                                                                          Name:                                                                                   
(Please Print)         (Please Print)
   
Address:                                                                                      Address:                                                                               
   
                                                                                                                                                                                                       
(Include Zip Code)         (Include Zip Code)
   
                                                                                                                                                                                                       

(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

 

       

(Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s))

 

 

8


INSTRUCTIONS

FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

1.     Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.

This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Procedures for Tendering” in the Prospectus. Certificates, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Original Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in lieu thereof, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Original Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount, provided that, if any Original Notes are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered amount thereof must be in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount.

Holders who wish to tender their Original Notes and (i) whose Original Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Original Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender their Original Notes by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Certificates (or a Book-Entry Confirmation) representing all tendered Original Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in lieu thereof, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.

The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Original Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, “Eligible Institution” means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as “an eligible guarantor institution,” including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker or governmental securities dealer, (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency, or (v) a savings association, with membership in an approved signature medallion guarantee program, that is a participant in a Securities Transfer Association.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS TO BE MADE OTHER THAN BY HAND OR FACSIMILE, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), or delivery of an Agent’s Message in lieu thereof, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.

 

9


2.    Guarantee of Signatures.    No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if:

(i) This Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Original Notes) of Original Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” above, or

(ii) such Original Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an Eligible Institution.

In all other cases, an Eligible Institution must guarantee the signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

3.    Inadequate Space.    If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Original Notes” is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the principal amount of Original Notes and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.

4.    Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights.    Tenders of Original Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of US$ 1,000 principal amount, provided that if any Original Notes are tendered for exchange in part, the untendered amount thereof must be in integral multiples of US$1,000 principal amount. If less than all the Original Notes evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal amount of Original Notes which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered.” In such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Original Notes that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of the Original Notes, promptly after the Expiration Date. All Original Notes represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Original Notes may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date. In order for a withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus on or prior to the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Original Notes to be withdrawn, identify the Original Notes to be withdrawn (including the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes to be withdrawn), and (if Certificates for Original Notes have been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Original Notes as set forth on the Certificate for the Original Notes, if different from that of the person who tendered such Original Notes. If Certificates for the Original Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Original Notes, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Original Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, except in the case of Original Notes tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Original Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Procedures for Tendering,” the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Original Notes, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of Original Notes may not be rescinded. Original Notes properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time on or prior to the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Procedures for Tendering.”

All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Original Notes which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.

 

10


5.    Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsement.    If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Original Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

If any of the Original Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

If any tendered Original Notes are registered in different name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of Certificates.

If this Letter of Transmittal or any Certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, of each such person’s authority so to act.

When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Original Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Original Notes listed, the Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee for the Original Notes may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Notes. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

6.    Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.    If Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, or if Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Certificates for Original Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.

7.    Irregularities.    The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Original Notes, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for which, may, in the view of counsel to the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive satisfaction of any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Conditions to the Exchange Offer” or irregularities in any tender of Original Notes of any particular holder whether or not similar conditions or irregularities are waived in the case of other holders. The Company’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Original Notes will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. The Company, any affiliates or assigns of the Company, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall not be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

8.    Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies.    Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter of

 

11


Transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

9.    28% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form W-9.    Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a holder whose tendered Original Notes are accepted for exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such holder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may subject the holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition, payments to a holder or other payee with respect to Original Notes exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 28% backup withholding.

The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of the Original Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the Original Notes.

Certain holders (including, among others, corporations, financial institutions and certain foreign persons) may not be subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and write “exempt” on the face thereof, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder’s non-U.S. status.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.

10.    Waiver of Conditions.    The Company reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.

11.    No Conditional Tenders.    No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Original Notes, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of Original Notes for exchange.

Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is obligated to give notice of any irregularity with respect to any tender of Original Notes; nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.

12.    Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates.    If any Certificate(s) representing Original Notes have been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.

13.    Security Transfer Taxes.    Holders who tender their Original Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Original Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

 

IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

12


TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING SECURITY HOLDERS

(SEE INSTRUCTION 9)

PAYOR’S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

 

SUBSTITUTE

 

 

Form W-9

Department of the

Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

 

Payer’s Request
for Taxpayer
Identification
Number (TIN)
and Certification

  Part I—PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR
TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND
CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING
BELOW.
 

Social security number

OR

Employer identification number

 

 

 

 

 

Part II—Certification-Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

(1)    The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me);

 

(2)    I am not subject to backup withholding either because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding, (ii) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and

 

(3)    I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

 

  Certification Instructions—You must cross out item 2 of Part II above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return and you have not been notified by the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.
  Signature:                                                      Date:                                                     
 

Name (Please Print):                                                                                                   

 

 

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

Signature(s):                                                                                                    Date:                                                                                                   

 

13

EX-99.2 10 dex992.htm FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

Exhibit 99.2

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

For

Tender of any and all Outstanding

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

In Exchange for

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

 


Unconditionally Guaranteed by

The News Corporation Limited

This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially equivalent to this form, must be used to accept the Exchange Offer (as defined below) if (i) certificates for the Company’s (as such term is defined below) 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Original Notes”) are not immediately available, or (ii) the Original Notes, the Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents cannot be delivered to The Bank of New York (the “Exchange Agent”) on or prior to 5:00 p.m. on the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus referred to below) or (iii) the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail, or transmitted by facsimile transmission, to the Exchange Agent, as more fully described in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus. In addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a completed, signed and dated Letter of Transmittal relating to the Original Notes (or facsimile thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:

The Bank of New York

 

By Registered or Certified Mail:   Facsimile Transmissions:   By Hand or Overnight Delivery:

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, 7E

New York, New York 10286

Attention:                     

 

(Eligible Institutions Only)

(212)                     

To Confirm by Telephone or

for Information Call:

(212)                     

 

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street

Corporate Trust Services Window

Ground Level

New York, New York 10286

Attention:                     

DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an “Eligible Institution” under the instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to News America Incorporated (the “Company”) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated                     , 2007 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the “Exchange Offer”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes set forth below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.”

The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Notes will be accepted only in integral multiples of US$1,000 in principal amount. The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may not be withdrawn after 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Expiration Date. Tenders of Original Notes may also be withdrawn if the Exchange Offer is terminated without any such Original Notes being purchased thereunder or as otherwise provided in the Prospectus.

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

 


PLEASE SIGN AND COMPLETE

 

Signature(s) of Registered Owner(s)

or Authorized Signatory:                                                         

  

Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Principal Amount of

Original Notes Tendered:                                                        

  

Address:

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                             
                                                                                                             

Certificate No(s). of Original Notes

(if available):                                                                               

  

Area Code(s) and Telephone No(s).:

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                              Date:                                                                                               

 


This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be signed by the holder(s) of Original Notes as their name(s) appear on certificates for Original Notes, or on a security position listing, or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If a signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or such representative capacity, such person must provide his or her full title below and, unless waived by the Company, provide proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of such person’s authority to act.

PLEASE PRINT NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)

Name(s):                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Capacity:                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Address(es)                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

2


GUARANTEE

(NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)

The undersigned, a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an “eligible guarantor institution,” including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, government securities broker or government securities dealer, (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities Transfer Association recognized program (each of the foregoing being referred to as an “Eligible Institution”), hereby guarantees to deliver to the Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above, either the Original Notes tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or confirmation of the book-entry transfer of such Original Notes to the Exchange Agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company, pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus, in either case, together with one or more properly completed and duly executed Letter(s) of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other required documents within three business days after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

The undersigned acknowledges that it must deliver the Letter(s) of Transmittal and the Original Notes tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in a financial loss to the undersigned.

(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)

 

Name of Firm:                                                                                                                                                                                          
   Authorized Signature
Address:                                                                                             Title:                                                                                               
                                                                                                              Date:                                                                                               
Zip Code           
                                                                                                             
Area Code and Telephone No.   

NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR ORIGINAL NOTES WITH THIS FORM. CERTIFICATES FOR ORIGINAL NOTES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

 

3

EX-99.3 11 dex993.htm FORM OF EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT Form of Exchange Agent Agreement

Exhibit 99.3

                                         , 2007

EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, Floor 8 West

New York, New York 10286

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Ladies and Gentlemen:

News America Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to make an offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange up to US$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Old Securities”) for like amounts of its 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “New Securities”). The terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer as currently contemplated are set forth in a prospectus, dated             , 2007 (the “Prospectus”), proposed to be distributed to all record holders of the Old Securities. The Old Securities and the New Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”.

The Company hereby appoints The Bank of New York to act as exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”) in connection with the Exchange Offer. References hereinafter to “you” shall refer to The Bank of New York.

The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Company on or about             , 2007. The Letter of Transmittal accompanying the Prospectus (or in the case of book-entry securities, the Automated Tender Offer Program (“ATOP”) of the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined below)) is to be used by the holders of the Old Securities to accept the Exchange Offer and contains instructions with respect to the delivery of certificates for Old Securities tendered in connection therewith.

The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on             , 2007, or on such subsequent date or time to which the Company may extend the Exchange Offer (the “Expiration Date”). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, the Company expressly reserves the right to extend the Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the Exchange Offer by giving oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice to you before 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the New York Stock Exchange trading day following the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Securities not theretofore


accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer specified in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer–Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The Company will give oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice of any amendment, termination or nonacceptance to you as promptly as practicable.

In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act in accordance with the following instructions:

1.    You will perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in the section of the Prospectus captioned “The Exchange Offer” or as specifically set forth herein; provided, however, that in no way will your general duty to act in good faith be discharged by the foregoing.

2.    You will establish a book-entry account with respect to the Old Securities at The Depository Trust Company (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) for purposes of the Exchange Offer within two New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of the Prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility’s systems may make book-entry delivery of the Old Securities by causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Securities into your account in accordance with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility’s procedure for such transfer.

3.    You are to examine each of the Letters of Transmittal and certificates for Old Securities (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility) and any other documents delivered or mailed to you by or for holders of the Old Securities to ascertain whether: (i) the Letters of Transmittal and any such other documents are duly executed and properly completed in accordance with instructions set forth therein; and (ii) the Old Securities have otherwise been properly tendered. In each case where the Letter of Transmittal or any other document has been improperly completed or executed or any of the certificates for Old Securities are not in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in connection with the acceptance of the Exchange Offer exists, you will endeavor to inform the presenters of the need for fulfillment of all requirements and to take any other action as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to cause such irregularity to be corrected.

4.    With the approval of the Chairman, Senior Vice President, Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President, or any Vice President of the Company (such approval, if given orally, to be promptly confirmed in writing) or any other party designated in writing by such an officer, you are authorized to waive any irregularities in connection with any tender of Old Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

5.    Tenders of Old Securities may be made only as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and in the section of the Prospectus captioned “The Exchange

 

2


Offer–Procedures for Tendering”, and Old Securities shall be considered properly tendered to you only when tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth therein.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, Old Securities which the Chairman, Senior Vice President, Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President, or any Vice President of the Company shall approve as having been properly tendered shall be considered to be properly tendered (such approval, if given orally, shall be promptly confirmed in writing).

6.    You shall advise the Company with respect to any Old Securities received subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept its instructions with respect to the disposition of such Old Securities.

7.    You shall accept tenders:

(a)    in cases where the Old Securities are registered in two or more names only if signed by all named holders;

(b)    in cases where the signing person (as indicated on the Letter of Transmittal) is acting in a fiduciary or a representative capacity only when proper evidence of his or her authority so to act is submitted; and

(c)    from persons other than the registered holder of Old Securities, provided that customary transfer requirements, including payment of any applicable transfer taxes, are fulfilled.

You shall accept partial tenders of Old Securities where so indicated and as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates for Old Securities to the registrar for split-up and return any untendered Old Securities to the holder (or such other person as may be designated in the Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as practicable after expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.

8.    Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify you (such notice, if given orally, to be promptly confirmed in writing) of its acceptance, promptly after the Expiration Date, of all Old Securities properly tendered and you, on behalf of the Company, will exchange such Old Securities for New Securities and cause such Old Securities to be cancelled. Delivery of New Securities will be made on behalf of the Company by you at the rate of $1,000 principal amount of New Securities for each $1,000 principal amount of the corresponding series of Old Securities tendered promptly after notice (such notice if given orally, to be promptly confirmed in writing) of acceptance of said Old Securities by the Company; provided, however, that in all cases, Old Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be exchanged only after timely receipt by you of certificates for such Old Securities (or confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility), a properly completed and duly executed Letter of

 

3


Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents. You shall issue New Securities only in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

9.    Tenders pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except that, subject to the terms and upon the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, Old Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

10.    The Company shall not be required to exchange any Old Securities tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are not met. Notice of any decision by the Company not to exchange any Old Securities tendered shall be given (if given orally, to be promptly confirmed in writing) by the Company to you.

11.    If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Company does not accept for exchange all or part of the Old Securities tendered because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer–Conditions to the Exchange Offer” or otherwise, you shall as soon as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer return those certificates for unaccepted Old Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry transfer), together with any related required documents and the Letters of Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the persons who deposited them.

12.    All certificates for reissued Old Securities, unaccepted Old Securities or for New Securities shall be forwarded by first-class mail.

13.    You are not authorized to pay or offer to pay any concessions, commissions or solicitation fees to any broker, dealer, bank or other persons or to engage or utilize any person to solicit tenders.

14.    As Exchange Agent hereunder, you:

(a)    shall not be liable for any action or omission to act unless the same constitutes your own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith, and in no event shall you be liable to a securityholder, the Company or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, or lost profits, arising in connection with this Agreement;

(b)    shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein or as may be subsequently agreed to in writing between you and the Company;

(c)    will be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any of the certificates or the Old Securities represented thereby deposited with you pursuant to the

 

4


Exchange Offer, and will not be required to and will make no representation as to the validity, value or genuineness of the Exchange Offer;

(d)    shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder which might in your judgment involve any expense or liability, unless you shall have been furnished with indemnity satisfactory to you;

(e)    may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram or other document or security delivered to you and believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons;

(f)    may act upon any tender, statement, request, document, agreement, certificate or other instrument whatsoever not only as to its due execution and validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which you shall in good faith believe to be genuine or to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons;

(g)    may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting upon written or oral instructions from any authorized officer of the Company;

(h)    may consult with counsel of your selection with respect to any questions relating to your duties and responsibilities and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by you hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel; and

(i)    shall not advise any person tendering Old Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to the market value or decline or appreciation in market value of any Old Securities.

15.    You shall take such action as may from time to time be requested by the Company (and such other action as you may deem appropriate) to furnish copies of the Prospectus, Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Prospectus) or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the Company, to all persons requesting such documents and to accept and comply with telephone requests for information relating to the Exchange Offer, provided that such information shall relate only to the procedures for accepting (or withdrawing from) the Exchange Offer. The Company will furnish you with copies of such documents at your request. All other requests for information relating to the Exchange Offer shall be directed to the Company, Attention: Paula Wardynski.

16.    You shall advise by facsimile transmission Paula Wardynski, of the Company (at the facsimile number (212) 852-7186), and such other person or persons as the Company may request, daily (and more frequently during the week immediately

 

5


preceding the Expiration Date if requested) up to and including the Expiration Date, as to the number of Old Securities which have been tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the items received by you pursuant to this Agreement, separately reporting and giving cumulative totals as to items properly received and items improperly received. In addition, you will also inform, and cooperate in making available to, the Company or any such other person or persons upon oral request made from time to time prior to the Expiration Date of such other information as they may reasonably request. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, the granting by you to the Company and such person as the Company may request of access to those persons on your staff who are responsible for receiving tenders, in order to ensure that immediately prior to the Expiration Date the Company shall have received information in sufficient detail to enable it to decide whether to extend the Exchange Offer. You shall prepare a final list of all persons whose tenders were accepted, the aggregate principal amount of Old Securities tendered, the aggregate principal amount of Old Securities accepted and deliver said list to the Company.

17.    Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery shall be stamped by you as to the date and, after the expiration of the Exchange Offer, the time, of receipt thereof and shall be preserved by you for a period of time at least equal to the period of time you preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of securities. You shall dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus materials by returning them to the Company.

18.    For services rendered as Exchange Agent hereunder, you shall be entitled to such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and you. The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

19.    You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. Any inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal (as they may be amended from time to time), on the other hand, shall be resolved in favor of the latter two documents, except with respect to your duties, liabilities and indemnification as Exchange Agent.

20.    The Company covenants and agrees to fully indemnify and hold you harmless against any and all loss, liability, cost or expense, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on your part, arising out of or in connection with any act, omission, delay or refusal made by you in reliance upon any signature, endorsement, assignment, certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or other instrument or document believed by you to be valid, genuine and sufficient and in accepting any tender or effecting any transfer of Old Securities believed by you in good faith to be authorized, and in delaying or refusing in good faith to accept any tenders or effect any transfer of Old Securities. In each case, the Company shall be notified by you, by letter or facsimile transmission, of the written assertion of a claim against you or of any other action commenced against you, promptly after you shall have

 

6


received any such written assertion or shall have been served with a summons in connection therewith. The Company shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any such claim or other action and, if the Company so elects, the Company shall assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim. In the event that the Company shall assume the defense of any such suit, the Company shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of any additional counsel thereafter retained by you, so long as the Company shall retain counsel satisfactory to you to defend such suit, and so long as you have not determined, in your reasonable judgment, that a conflict of interest exists between you and the Company. The provisions of this section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

21.    You shall arrange to comply with all requirements under the tax laws of the United States, including those relating to missing Tax Identification Numbers, and shall file any appropriate reports with the Internal Revenue Service.

22.    You shall deliver or cause to be delivered, in a timely manner to each governmental authority to which any transfer taxes are payable in respect of the exchange of Old Securities, the Company’s check in the amount of all transfer taxes so payable; provided, however, that you shall reimburse the Company for amounts refunded to you in respect of your payment of any such transfer taxes, at such time as such refund is received by you.

23.    This Agreement and your appointment as Exchange Agent hereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state, and without regard to conflicts of law principles, and shall inure to the benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

24.    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

25.    In case any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

26.    This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be charged. This Agreement may not be modified orally.

27.    Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile or similar

 

7


writing) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, at its address or telecopy number set forth below:

If to the Company:

News America Incorporated

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Facsimile: (212) 852-7896

Attention: Lawrence A. Jacobs, Esq.

with a copy to:

Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

875 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Facsimile: (212) 918-3100

Attention: Amy Bowerman Freed, Esq.

If to the Exchange Agent:

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street

Floor 8 West

New York, New York 10286

Facsimile: (212) 815-5704

Attention: Corporate Trust

                   Administration

28.    Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement shall terminate 90 days following the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 18 and 20 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to the Company any certificates for Securities, funds or property then held by you as Exchange Agent under this Agreement.

29.    This Agreement shall be binding and effective as of the date hereof.

 

8


Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the arrangements herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

 

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED
By:     
 

Name:

Title:

Accepted as of the date

first above written:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Exchange Agent

 

By:     
 

Name:

Title:

 

9

EX-99.4 12 dex994.htm FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers and Form of Letter to Clients

Exhibit 99.4

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

Tender of any and all Outstanding

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

In Exchange for

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

 


Unconditionally Guaranteed by

The News Corporation Limited

 

 

To: Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

News America Incorporated (the “Company”) is offering, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a prospectus dated                      , 2007 (the “Prospectus”), and the enclosed letter of transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) its 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a like principal amount of the Company’s issued and outstanding 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Original Notes”). The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Company contained in a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2007, among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and the initial purchaser referred to therein.

We are requesting that you contact your clients for whom you hold Original Notes regarding the Exchange Offer. For your information and for forwarding to your clients for whom you hold Original Notes registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, or who hold Original Notes registered in their own names, we are enclosing the following documents:

1. A Prospectus dated                      , 2007;

2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information (or the use, where relevant) of your clients;

3. A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Exchange Offer if certificates for Original Notes are not immediately available or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent (as defined below) prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) or if the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis;

4. A form of letter that may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold Original Notes registered in your name or the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions with regard to the Exchange Offer; and

5. Return envelopes addressed to The Bank of New York, the exchange agent for Original Notes (the “Exchange Agent”).

YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                      , 2007, UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). THE ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.

To participate in the Exchange Offer, a duly executed and properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof or an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Prospectus) in lieu thereof), with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, should be sent to the Exchange Agent and certificates representing the Original Notes should be delivered to the Exchange Agent, all in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and the Prospectus.


If holders of Original Notes wish to tender, but it is impracticable for them to forward their certificates for Original Notes prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer or to comply with the book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis, a tender may be effected by following the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.”

The Company will, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in forwarding the Prospectus and the related documents to the beneficial owners of Original Notes held by them as nominee or in a fiduciary capacity. The Company will pay or cause to be paid all transfer taxes applicable to the exchange of Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, except as set forth in Instruction 13 of the Letter of Transmittal.

Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Exchange Offer, or requests for additional copies of the enclosed materials, should be directed to The Bank of New York, the Exchange Agent for the Original Notes, at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of the Letter of Transmittal.

Very truly yours,

NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

NOTHING HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE COMPANY OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF EITHER OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY MADE IN THE PROSPECTUS OR THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

Enclosures

 

2


NEWS AMERICA INCORPORATED

Tender of any and all Outstanding

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

In Exchange for

6.15% Senior Notes Due 2037

 


Unconditionally Guaranteed by

The News Corporation Limited

 

To Our Clients:

Enclosed for your consideration is a prospectus dated                      , 2007 (the “Prospectus”), and the related letter of transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), relating to the offer (the “Exchange Offer”) of News America Incorporated (the “Company”) to exchange its 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 6.15% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “Original Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Company contained in a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2007, among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and the initial purchaser referred to therein.

This material is being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of the Original Notes held by us for your account but not registered in your name. A TENDER OF SUCH ORIGINAL NOTES MAY ONLY BE MADE BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.

Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender on your behalf the Original Notes held by us for your account, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal.

Your instructions should be forwarded to us as promptly as possible in order to permit us to tender the Original Notes on your behalf in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                      , 2007, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion. Any Original Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time before the Expiration Date.

Your attention is directed to the following:

1. The Exchange Offer is for any and all Original Notes.

2. The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in the Prospectus in the section entitled “The Exchange Offer” under the heading “Conditions to the Exchange Offer.”

3. Any transfer taxes incident to the transfer of Original Notes from the holder to the Company will be paid by the Company, except as otherwise provided in the Instructions in the Letter of Transmittal.

4. The Exchange Offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on                      , 2007, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion.

If you wish to have us tender your Original Notes, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the instruction form on the back of this letter. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE USED DIRECTLY BY YOU TO TENDER ORIGINAL NOTES.


INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO

THE EXCHANGE OFFER

The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed material referred to therein relating to the Exchange Offer made by News America Incorporated with respect to the Original Notes.

This will instruct you to tender the Original Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal.

The undersigned expressly agrees to be bound by the enclosed Letter of Transmittal and that such Letter of Transmittal may be enforced against the undersigned.

Please tender the Original Notes held by you for my account as indicated below.

 

     
    Original Notes                                                                                                                                                                                           
                Aggregate Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered    
   
   

¨        Please do not tender any Original Notes held by you for my account.

   
   
   

Dated:                                                                                                                                                                                           , 2007

   
   
   

Signature(s):                                                                                                                                                                                           

   
   
   

Please print name(s) here:                                                                                                                                                                  

   
   
   

Address(es):                                                                                                                                                                                           

   
   
   

Area Code and Telephone Number(s):                                                                                                                                         

   
   
   

Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s):                                                                                                                     

 

   

None of the Original Notes held by us for your account will be tendered unless we receive written instructions from you to do so. Unless a specific contrary instruction is given in the space provided, your signature(s) hereon shall constitute an instruction to us to tender all the Original Notes held by us for your account.

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