Fox Anticipates Nfl Loss

The Fox network expects to lose $350 million on its $1.58 billion contract to broadcast NFL games for four years.

Fox’s parent, Australia-based News Corp., disclosed the anticipated loss when it reported its earnings for the latest sixmonth period.

News Corp. took $350 million in charges against its earnings for the expected shortfall between what the network will generate in advertising revenue for the NFL and the cost of license fees, production and marketing of the NFL.

The charge fails to reflect the benefits from the NFL contract to Fox’s owned and operated stations, which can charge higher ad rates for football than they probably would have gotten for their regular programs.