I’m in Hollywood Chapter 557: Braveheart

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This guarantee of Eric does not make any sense at all in Murdoch. Even if the contract is renewed, half of X-Files and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? copyright are still in the hands of Firefly Pictures.

Once Firefly Pictures completes the acquisition of its own TV Network, and "X-Files" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" accidentally become competitors of some programs of TV Station under Firefly, who dares to guarantee that Firefly will not secretly make some moves, Murdoch The fiasco of "Cutthroat Island" two years ago is still fresh in his memory. He also learned some internal things from the mouth of his daughter. A movie not only brought losses of 100 million and more than USD, but also completely destroyed the confidence of Disney Film Industry shareholders at that time in management. Otherwise, Firefly wanted to acquire Disney at that time, which was definitely not so easy.

With the worries in mind, Murdoch said: "Eric, why not sell the other half copyright of" X-Files "and" Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? "to Fox?"

Eric had long expected that Murdoch would make such a request, and the loss of 《Friends》 would be a big blow to Fox TV Network. Once Firefly Pictures withdrew its shares from Fox TV Network, there would be no direct interest disputes between the two parties, and Firefly would still be in charge of the remaining two. The copyright of the show is equivalent to exposing your weakness to the opponent completely.

Although "X-Files" and 《Friends》 belong to the phenomenal TV series in the 1990s, the audiences of the two TV seriess are very different. Most of the audiences of "X-Files" are concentrated in the group of young people in their 20s Among them, although there are many diehards, the size of the audience is naturally limited. 《Friends》 is a sitcom of all ages. Basically, it is not limited by the age of the audience. Therefore, the influence of 《Friends》 is also much greater than that of "X-Files".

Since we are ready to take back the broadcasting rights of 《Friends》, Eric is already prepared to give up "X-Files", and. "X-Files" copyright can also be used as a very important bargaining chip.

As for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", this program is very simple in form. After several years of broadcasting, viewers will inevitably produce aesthetic fatigue. The ratings of North America local programs have gradually declined, but because this Reality TV Show is in United States Success. Every year there are many overseas TV Station negotiation program authorization, this income is very stable, and even no cost. Moreover, by selling half of copyright to Fox, the price offered by the other party must be much less than the future revenue of the program. Although Eric's acquisition of TV Network is in urgent need of money, it has not been lacking to this extent, so of course it is impossible to give up easily.

"Rupert, as long as the price is right, I can transfer copyright of" X-Files "to Fox, but I will not let go of the half of copyright of" Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ", you must know the reason. Of course. If you are worried about Firefly in the future Will be too involved in the production of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", 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. "

Murdoch is actually most concerned about 《Friends》, but at this time, Murdoch was still a little surprised that Eric would let go so easily when he heard Eric saying these conditions without hesitation.

Eric noticed the surprised expression of Murdoch and said: "Of course. All this is conditional."

Murdoch only felt that things were normal now, saying: "You said."

"I want Fox TV Network to complete all the procedures for repurchasing the equity of Firefly within one month. Of course, in order not to cause News Corp cash flow problems. The repurchase funds can be paid in installments within the next six months," Eric ignored Murdoch gradually The dignified look continued with a loud voice: "If the two of us cannot reach an agreement within a month, then the conditions I just said will be void!"

Murdoch only discovered that Eric was more urgent than he originally thought. Although Firefly Pictures only holds 10% of the shares of Fox TV Network, this 10% of the shares is already the second largest shareholder in the Fox TV Network after the Murdoch family. In theory, Firefly Pictures has the right to speak in the Fox TV Network after the Murdoch family It's just that Eric has never used this right in recent years.

The rights and obligations are often relative.

According to the federal antitrust law of United States, Firefly Pictures has such an important right to speak in entire US and four Major TV Networks, it is not easy to initiate acquisitions of other national TV Network, otherwise, the acquisitions are likely to be subject to United States Federal Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) joint investigation, if there are other forces behind to intervene, then 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 initiate acquisitions of other TV Networks, which will not bring similar legal risks.

Of course, this kind of problem involving monopoly is not what Murdoch is most concerned about. United States ’s antitrust regulations have a lot of room for activity, which involves more than just a game of interest between different forces, and the media Industry monopoly restrictions have been gradually relaxing restrictions in recent years. Murdoch is more concerned about limiting the negotiation cycle to less than one month. At this time, it seems that Fox TV Network does not seem to be in an advantageous position. Then, regarding the issue of quotation of shares in the hands of Firefly Pictures, News Corp can't take any advantage.

Know that a few years ago, the 10% shares that Eric took from him personally only used 80 million USD, and the Firefly Pictures withdrawal plan submitted at this time, the offer was 800 million USD, although this offer is now The market value of Fox TV Network is not much different, but the difference of ten times still makes Murdoch very difficult to accept.

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

Eric smiled and said: "Rupert. You know, my character is actually not suitable for negotiating such things."

Murdoch showed a puzzled expression, and Eric did not sell the lawsuit. Continued: "Otherwise, I will let Katzenberg speak to Fox on behalf of Firefly Pictures."

Katzenberg's style has always been known for being tough. Eric remembers the original time and space. Katzenberg is responsible for the negotiation between Disney and Jobs Pixar studio. The final condition is that the animation produced by Pixar studio can not only participate in the profit sharing of Disney's peripheral copyright operation, and even the profit sharing of the film Box Office No, Pixar can only get a fixed 'commission' for each 3D animated movie. In the end, "Toy Story" was a great success, but Pixar studio did not get much funding. In desperation, Jobs can only choose to rush to the market when Pixar performance has just improved.

Murdoch certainly knows who Katzenberg is. The nickname of the manic golden retriever is not called in vain.

With a bitter smile, Murdoch said: "Eric, you only spent 80 million when you got the shares ten years ago. Do you think the 800 million USD price is reasonable?"

Eric was blushing and panting, and of course said: "If there are no Firefly Pictures programs to allow Fox TV Network to quickly open the situation for expansion, maybe the original 10% stake is still only worth 80 million, so. If it is not Fox TV Network Now that the market value is only so much, I actually think that this quotation is already very low, and I think this quotation is very reasonable. "Speaking of which. Eric couldn't help but shook his head: "Rupert, in fact, I think the Fox TV Network program production team has had a problem. For a full four years, even a TV program with an influence comparable to" X-Files "has not been produced. , You should probably change another person in charge. "

Murdoch smiles bitterly in this heart, this kind of thing is so easy there. The United States television industry regularly produces thousands of original TV series integrations, but the proportion of episodes that can survive and produce enough influence is terrible. Moreover, this is not a problem for the Fox TV Network family. Other three Major TV Networks have similar problems. If a program with an average 20 million audience rating is so easy to produce, there will be no TV Station in order to retain the protagonist of the drama series and the price of a single episode of millions of USD.

"Eric, the price of 800 million USD is even if I agree, I think Board of Directors will not be easily passed, so I think you should give back some of it, otherwise, it will be difficult for one month. Have a deal. "

"I still meant just now," Eric is unimpressed. Everyone knows that although the Murdoch family does not have absolute control in News Corp, so many years, no one dares to challenge the authority of Murdoch, Murdoch is absolutely It is the control of News Corp. Looking at the old fox ’s savvy eyes, Eric suddenly said: "Rupert, you have to know, in fact, this matter has been discussed for a long time, it may cause some impressions on Firefly Pictures, But it will definitely not have a greater impact than you. You should know that Firefly Pictures is not a listed company, but News Corp is different. "

Murdoch was shocked. He didn't expect Eric to mention this suddenly. He thought Eric could not think of it at all.

Eric was just right. If it was n’t for the high-rated episodes provided by Firefly Pictures, Fox TV Network quickly opened up. Fox TV Network could not develop so rapidly in recent years, but at the same time, the capital market also understood Firefly Pictures as News Corp. The significance of the second largest shareholder of its subsidiary Fox TV Network.

So, once this divestment took too long to be exposed by the media, and even exaggerated the differences between the two parties, then the newly developed Fox TV Network will definitely suffer a serious setback, and the stock price of News Corp will also be greatly affected. Big impact.

Seeing that Murdoch did not speak, Eric continued: "So, both of us have negotiated this matter as soon as possible. Then, the withdrawal of Firefly Pictures ’s shares from Fox TV Network can be done in an atmosphere that is as quiet as possible. Any impact on News Corp. Of course, even if someone discovers this later, but with the conditions I just mentioned, I believe that News Corp shareholders will not lose confidence in Fox TV Network, and Firefly Pictures 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, this matter is not too urgent. You can go back and think about it. I think I have to go back to work. , There is something to do in the afternoon. "

Murdoch saw that Eric did not continue to be aggressive, although the expression on his face was not too relaxed, but also got up with Eric: "Then I will go back first, I will reply to you as soon as possible."

"I look forward to your good news," Eric politely sent Murdoch to his luxury car, watching the other party ’s car leave, and then walked toward the administrative building ’s own office with the big book in his hand. go with.

Just sitting down behind the desk, Eric ’s temporary secretary at the studio pushed the door in and put a document in front of Eric: "Mr. Williams, this is just passed by Mr. Fisman, he has already talked to Mr. Mel Gibson After that, in addition, there is a copy of script in it. "

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

This is a relatively successful epic movie of Hollywood in the 1990s. Although Box Office is not very ideal, it has also achieved profitability. The most important thing is that this film got the best film, the best Director and the best male. A series of important Oscar awards such as the protagonist.

Of course, these are not Eric's most concerned. The reason why I can think of this movie is because Eric met Sophie in France. I want to turn this French rose to Hollywood as soon as possible. Nothing is better than this movie. Suitable.

Mel Gibson's status in the Hollywood in the 1990s is definitely not much worse than that of Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, etc. If it is not a series of tricks in the new century of Mel Gibson, with his series of Box Office and award achievements, Mel Gibson will definitely become the history of Hollywood One of the legends.

Eric does n’t care too much about Mel Gibson. After all, there are many problems with Hollywood Star, but the scandal of Mel Gibson is exaggerated. (To be continued)