I’m in Hollywood

Chapter 556

This kind of guarantee from Eric sounds meaningless to Murdoch. Even if the contract is renewed, half of the copyrights of The X-Files and Who Will Be a Millionaire are still in the hands of Firefly Pictures.

Once Firefly Pictures completes the acquisition of the TV network, and The X-Files and Who Will Be a Millionaire just become competitors for some of Firefly's TV stations, who can guarantee that Firefly will not make some secret manipulations, Murdeau Ke has a fresh memory of the fiasco of Cutthroat Island two years ago, and he also learned some insides from his daughter's mouth. A movie not only brought a loss of more than 100 million US dollars, but also completely destroyed the confidence of Disney Studios shareholders in the management at that time. Otherwise, Firefly's acquisition of Disney at that time would not have been so easy.

With concern in his heart, Murdoch said: Eric, how about selling the other half of the copyrights of The X-Files and Who Will Be a Millionaire to Fox?

Eric had long expected that Murdoch would make such a request. The loss of Friends was already a big blow to the Fox Network. Once Firefly Pictures withdraws from the Fox Network, the two sides will never again. Without direct entanglement of interests, still letting Firefly hold the copyright of the remaining two programs is equivalent to completely exposing its weaknesses to the opponent.

Although X-Files and Friends belong to both phenomenal TV series in the 1990s,* the audiences of the two TV series are very different. Most of the audiences of X-Files are concentrated in young people in their twenties. Among the crowd, although there are many die-hards, the audience size is inherently limited. Friends is a sitcom for all ages, basically not limited by the age of the audience, so. Friends is also much more influential than The X-Files.

Now that he is ready to take back the broadcasting rights of Friends, Eric is already prepared to give up The X Files, and the copyright of The X Files can also be used as a very important bargaining chip.

As for Who Will Be a Millionaire, this program has been broadcast for several years because of its very simple format. Audiences also inevitably suffer from aesthetic fatigue, and the ratings of local programs in North America gradually decline. However, because of the success of this reality show in the United States, many overseas TV stations negotiate program authorization every year. This income is very stable. Even at no cost at all. Moreover, selling half of the copyright in his hand to Fox, the price offered by the other party will definitely be much less than the future income of the program, although Eric needs money urgently to acquire the TV network. But it's not that short of it yet, so of course it's impossible to give up easily.

Rupert, as long as the price is right, I can transfer the rights to The X-Files to Fox, but I will not let go of the rights to the half of Who Will Be a Millionaire, you must know why. Of course, if You worry that Firefly will be too involved in the production of Who Will Be a Millionaire in the future. Firefly can give up participating in the production process, only invest and enjoy the corresponding share. Moreover, Firefly can also extend the original five-year contract in advance.

What Murdoch cared about most was actually Friends, but at this time, when Eric said these conditions without hesitation, Murdoch was still a little surprised that Eric would let go so easily.

Eric noticed Murdoch's surprised expression and said, Of course. All this is conditional.

Only then did Murdoch feel that things were normal and said, You said.

I want Fox Television Network to complete all the process of repurchasing the shares held by Firefly within one month. Of course, in order not to cause problems with News Corporation's cash flow, the repurchase funds can be paid in installments within the next six months. Eric ignored Murdoch's increasingly solemn expression continued: If we cannot reach an agreement within a month, then the conditions I just said will be void!

It was only then that Murdoch discovered that Eric was more urgent than he originally thought. Although Firefly Pictures only holds 10% of the shares of Fox Television Network, this 10% stake is already the second largest shareholder after the Murdoch family in Fox Television Network. In theory, Firefly The film industry has the right to speak in the Fox network second only to the Murdoch family, but Eric has never used this right in recent years.

And rights and obligations are often relative.

According to the U.S. federal anti-monopoly law, Firefly Pictures has such an important voice in the fourth largest TV network in the United States, and it cannot easily initiate acquisitions of other national TV networks. To the joint investigation of the US Federal Securities and Exchange Commission ( ) and the Federal Communications Commission ( ), if there are other forces behind the intervention, the trouble will be even more.

Therefore, Eric is eager to sell the shares of Fox TV network within a month, so that Firefly Pictures will not bring similar legal risks to other TV networks.

Of course, this kind of issue involving monopoly is not what Murdoch is most concerned about. There is a lot of room for action in the anti-monopoly regulations in the United States, and it involves more games of interests between different forces. Moreover, the media industry Monopoly restrictions have been gradually loosened in recent years. Murdoch is more concerned about limiting the negotiation cycle to less than one month. At this time, it seems that Fox Television Network does not seem to be in an advantageous position. Then, with regard to the issue of the offer of shares in Firefly Pictures, News Corp. definitely takes the lead. Nothing cheap.

You know, a few years ago, Eric personally took 10% of the shares from him for only 80 million US dollars, and the withdrawal plan submitted by Firefly Pictures at this time was 800 million US dollars, although this The offer is not much different from the current market value of Fox Television Network, but the ten-fold difference still makes Murdoch very difficult to accept.

Eric, if you want to withdraw from Fox Network within a month, $800 million will definitely not work, Murdoch thought for a moment, then said: I can only give you $600 million at most, and , the payment period of this money also needs to be extended for at least one year.”

Eric smiled and said, Rupert, you know, my character is not suitable for negotiating such things.

Murdoch looked puzzled. Eric did not sell the lawsuit, and continued: Or, I will let Katzenberg talk to Fox on behalf of Firefly Pictures.

Katzenberg's style has always been known for being tough. Eric remembers that in the original time and space, Katzenberg was in charge of the negotiations between Disney and Jobs' Pixar studio, and the final agreement was. The animation produced by Pixar Studio not only cannot participate in Disney's peripheral distribution profit share, but also does not even share the film box office profit. Pixar can only get a fixed 'commission' for each 3D animated film. In the end, Toy Story was a great success. , but the Pixar studio did not receive much funding. In desperation, Jobs could only choose to go public when Pixar's performance had just improved.

Murdoch, of course, also knows very well who Katzenberg is, and that manic golden retriever's nickname is not for nothing.

A wry smile. Murdoch said: Eric, when you got the shares ten years ago, you only spent 80 million. Do you think the price of 800 million is reasonable?

Eric's face was not blushing or panting, and he said of course: If there were no several programs provided by Firefly Pictures to quickly open up the situation for Fox Television Network to expand, perhaps the original 10% shares are still only worth 80 million, so , if it weren't for the Fox Network's market value now. I actually think this offer is very low, so I think this offer is very reasonable. Speaking of this. Eric couldn't help shaking his head again: Rupert, in fact, I think there has been a problem with the Fox TV network's program production team. For four years, even a movie whose influence can be compared with X-Files The TV show didn't make it, and you should probably change the person in charge or something.

Murdoch smiled bitterly, this kind of thing is so easy there. The American TV industry produces thousands of original TV series every year, but the TV series that can survive and have enough influence are terrifyingly low. Moreover, this is not a problem with the Fox TV network. The other three TV networks have Similar question. If the program with an average of 20 million viewers is so well produced. There will be no more astronomical prices of millions of dollars for a single episode in order to retain the protagonist.

Eric, even if I agree to the price of $800 million, I don't think the board will pass it easily, so I think you should make some concessions, otherwise, it will be difficult to discuss this matter in a month's time. All right.

I still meant it just now, Eric said unmoved. Everyone knew that although the Murdoch family did not have an absolute controlling stake in News Corp., no one had dared to challenge Murdoch's over the years. Authority, Murdoch definitely has control over News Corp. Watching the old fox's shrewd eyes keep wandering, Eric suddenly said: Rupert, you have to know that this is actually what we're talking about. After a long time, it may cause some images to Firefly Pictures, but it will definitely not have a greater impact on you. You must know that Firefly Pictures is not a listed company, but News Corporation is different.

Murdoch was shocked. He didn't expect Eric to suddenly mention this. He thought that Eric couldn't think of this aspect at all.

What Eric just said is right. If it weren't for the high-rated dramas provided by Firefly Pictures, the Fox TV network could not have developed so rapidly in recent years. But at the same time, the capital market has also I fully understand the significance of Firefly Pictures as the second largest shareholder of Fox Television Network, a subsidiary of News Corporation.

Therefore, once the withdrawal of shares drags on for too long and is exposed by the media, or even exaggerates the differences between the two parties, the newly developed Fox TV network will definitely suffer a severe setback, and the stock price of News Corporation will also suffer greatly. big impact.

Seeing that Murdoch didn't speak, Eric continued: So, the two sides will negotiate this matter as soon as possible, then, the issue of Firefly Pictures' withdrawal from Fox Television Network can be as quiet as possible. Done, so it won't have any impact on News Corp. Of course, even if someone finds out about it later, but with those conditions I just mentioned, I'm sure News Corp shareholders won't lose faith in Fox Network, and, Firefly The film industry can also cooperate in some public relations activities in the future.”

Murdoch fell into a brief silence.

Eric raised his hand and looked at his watch. It was already two o'clock in the afternoon. He took the initiative to stand up and said, Rupert, there is no need to rush this matter. You can go back and think about it. I think I have to go back to work. Now, there are still some things to do in the afternoon.

Seeing that Eric did not continue to be aggressive, Murdoch also followed Eric to get up although his expression was not too relaxed: Then I will go back first, and I will give you an answer as soon as possible.

I look forward to your good news, Eric politely put Murdoch into his luxury car and watched the other party's car leave before heading towards his office in the administration building with the tome in his hand. go.

Just sitting down behind the desk, Eric's temporary secretary in the studio pushed the door and put a document in front of Eric: Mr. Williams, this is just passed by Mr. Fissman, He has spoken to Mr. Mel Gibson and, besides, there is a script in it.

Eric hummed, and waited for the secretary to go out before opening the folder. Inside the folder was a movie project plan with two words prominently written on the title: Braveheart.

This is a relatively successful epic film in Hollywood in the 1990s. Although the box office is not ideal, it has also achieved profitability. Most importantly, this film has won the best picture, best director and best actor. Series of important Oscar awards.

Of course, these are not what Eric is most concerned about. The reason why Eric can think of this movie is because Eric met Sophie in France and wanted to abduct this French rose to Hollywood as soon as possible. Movies are more appropriate.

Mel Gibson's status in Hollywood in the 1990s was definitely not much worse than Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, etc. If it weren't for Mel Gibson's series of tricks in the new century, with his series of box office As well as the achievements of the awards, Mel. Gibson will definitely become one of the legends of celebrity Hollywood history.

Eric doesn't care too much about Mel Gibson. After all, many Hollywood stars have those problems, but Mel Gibson's scandal has been greatly exaggerated. (To be continued...)

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