Twenty-First Century Fox 2004 Annual Report Download - page 57

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Principal Activities of the Group
The principal activities of the Group during the financial year were:
• filmed entertainment;
• television;
• direct broadcast satellite television;
• cable network programming;
• magazines and inserts;
• newspapers; and
• book publishing.
The principal activities of associated entities include:
• direct broadcast satellite and cable television;
• newspaper publishing; and
• print and electronic television guidance applications.
Group Results
The net profit attributable to members of the parent entity was $2,312 million (2003 $1,808 million).
Dividends
The following dividends have been declared since the beginning of the financial year:
a) The Directors of The News Corporation Limited recommend the payment on 26 October, 2004 of a final fully franked
dividend of 1.5 cents per ordinary share and 3.75 cents per preferred limited voting ordinary share on the issued shares at
17 September, 2004, the entitlement date for the final dividend. The final dividend has not been provided for in the
attached financial statements in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, as the dividend was not declared and
announced by the Directors prior to 30 June, 2004. A discount of 10% will apply to the weighted average market price of
the ordinary and preferred limited voting ordinary shares used to determine the respective entitlements under the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
b) On 30 April, 2004 an interim unfranked dividend, in respect of profits for the year ended 30 June, 2004 of 1.5 cents per
ordinary share and 3.75 cents per preferred limited voting ordinary share totalling $176 million was paid or distributed
according to the operation of the Group’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
c) On 15 October, 2003 a final unfranked dividend of 1.5 cents per ordinary share and 3.75 cents per preferred limited voting
ordinary share totalling $153 million was paid or distributed according to the operation of the Group’s Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.
d) Unfranked dividends were paid on the outstanding perpetual preference shares during the year amounting to $38
million.
Review of Operations
A review of the operations of the Group during the financial year and of the results of those operations is detailed in the
front section of this Annual Report.
State of Affairs of the Group during the Financial Year
The Directors are not aware of any significant change in the state of affairs of the Group that occurred during the financial
year which has not been covered elsewhere in this Annual Report.
55
NEWS CORPORATION CONCISE REPORT 2004
Directors’ Report
(continued)
for the year ended 30 June, 2004