Chapter 313： Boutique route

The rumors were confirmed, which inevitably caused a strong shock in the hearts of Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen.

120 million US dollars invested in a TV series... This is absolutely a strange talk!

Last year, Dunn Pictures acquired the starz television network for a total cost of only $170 million.

Such investment courage is amazing!

Of course, it also made Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen really understand Dunn's ambitions.

The future sta will bid farewell to the era of buying movies and enter a new era of self-production and self-selling!

Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen are both founding members of the starz TV network. Of course, they hope that the TV station can develop rapidly, defeat hbo and sho, and become the leader of professional cable TV stations in North America!

And Dunn's ambition, courage and pattern obviously also have this idea.

Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen looked at each other, both showing a bit of fanatical excitement.

Tang En glanced at the changes in the expressions of the two, nodded with satisfaction, and smiled slightly, "By the way, Tony, do you know who the pay TV broadcast rights of "Spider-Man" were sold to?"

Tony Grammer said tentatively: "Hbo? I heard...they've raised the price to $28 million!"

This is definitely a sky-high price!

According to Hollywood's windowed marketing model, films are shown on professional cable stations 12 months after their premiere. The TV station has obtained the exclusive copyright for 12 months, and within this year, has the right to broadcast 3 times.

After 12 months, the rights expire and the film is sold to free public television for its first screenings.

That is to say, hbo spent a huge sum of 28 million dollars and only bought 3 exclusive screening rights in 12 months!

Such a large investment is enough to make a film alone.

In particular, it can be seen that hbo resolutely strives for high-quality film sources.

Dunn smiled, "hbo failed."

"Ah? Could it be sho? No way? That old guy, Lei Shidong, has never been so generous." Martin Tangwen was a little unbelievable.

The TV station is affiliated to Viacom Group, and its strategic development is definitely in line with Mr. Redstone's business ideas.

Tang En smiled lightly, "It's us!"

"us?"

Martin Tangwen widened his eyes in amazement.

Bill McNick didn't have the kind of show-off that Dunn had. He slowly said: "That's it, Dunn Pictures has invested 30 million US dollars to represent the starz TV station and obtained the paid screening rights of "Spider-Man". That is Said that in May, "Spider-Man" will be able to meet audiences in the United States on starz TV!"

"$30 million?"

The two big guys from the sta TV network were so surprised that they almost forgot to breathe.

This handwriting is too big!

Even if this 30 million US dollars, after the hands of Universal Pictures, there will be 27 million US dollars back on the books of Dunn Pictures. But this rejected hbo's offer of up to 28 million US dollars!

With the current subscription fee of the sta TV network, at least 10 million new subscribers have to be attracted by "Spider-Man" to make up for the loss. Is this possible?

Bill McNick made a downward gesture and said calmly: "You don't have to have too much pressure, you just need to know our determination to develop the sta TV network. From the perspective of Dunn Films, short During the time, we never thought about making money through sta, and even investing a lot of money to boost the development of sta and attract more users.”

Tony Grammer looked at the top executives of Dunn Films in the conference room, with such a solemn appearance, he finally realized the big boss Dunn's determination to develop the starz TV network.

He took a deep breath and said: "Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, I have clearly understood the determination of the company headquarters. If the headquarters can give starz TV network enough capital investment and strategic services, I am confident that I can lead starz TV network to go. Go higher!"

"It's not enough!" Dunn waved his hand, then nodded to Isla Fisher, she got up and began to distribute documents to everyone present.

"This is my six-point request for the future strategic development of the starz TV network, and it is also an essential element to develop the vast market of professional cable TV stations. It must be done no matter what!"

"First, create an industry brand with differentiated content production!"

Tang En took a sip of water, and after everyone got the documents, he slowly said: "The production of TV content will be the core industry of the starz TV network in the future. Based on the current starz TV network that does not have such strength, content production is temporarily The TV production department of Dunn Films is in charge. However, I can't make traditional family comedies, I have to seek differences in subject matter, such as "Six Feet Under", which focuses on the funeral industry. With this type of unique content, I can Complete the promotion and establishment of self-brand."

"Second, do not judge success or failure based on ratings! The current starz TV station is small in scale and has few users. We can't use the utilitarian view of ratings, but focus on the quality of the work itself! For example, TV series like "Under Six Feet" are A rare quality product, even if the ratings are low, is also a guarantee of word of mouth, this is the brand guarantee!"

"Thirdly, we need to invest heavily to establish a new standard in the industry! In the past, TV dramas had little investment, small layout, and shoddy production. This is irresponsible to users! Starz TV station must take the high-quality route, and every year... the investment in TV drama production, No less than $100 million! Of course, I'll check the episodes myself."

Tang En paused and found that everyone in the field nodded, very satisfied.

"Fourth, respect creativity and talent! Just the day before yesterday, I met a new friend who is a crime reporter for the Baltimore Sun. He is familiar with many real crime cases and experiences, and has adapted a script. "The Wire". This is the most typical example, we have to eclectic and downgrade talents!"

"Fifth, it's better to be short than to waste! This is very important! The starz TV network now has two channels, starz TV and TV stations, one dedicated to TV series and one dedicated to movies, which is good. But I heard... You intend to focus your strategy on Music, sports, children's drama tilt?"

Tony Grammer wiped the cold sweat from his head, "This... we just want to attract users' attention through richer content types."

"This is absolutely not possible!"

Tang En vetoed it categorically, with an unquestionable tone, "Brand is the standard! We provide high-quality resources, and we must not deceive the audience with cheap programs! Don't pursue quantity, and focus on the quality of content wholeheartedly!"

"I understand. When I return to the company, I will convey these requirements to the employees." Tony Grammer sighed secretly. This big boss is really consistent and resolute.

Tang En said solemnly: "This point should be paid special attention to. In the early years, hbo also developed in a diversified way. Many expansions were made in music, sports, talk shows, children's dramas, and stage plays, but they all failed. Why? Because of these contents, There are no technical barriers, and the duplication is too strong! The programs launched by hbo, other public TV stations soon followed suit and launched the same type of programs. If there are free ones, who will pay for it? We want to create high-quality content exclusive to sta!"

The atmosphere was a little dignified, and Jonathan Nolan said half-jokingly: "Of course, the scale of content must be large! To establish differentiation, we are a professional cable TV station, and it is impossible to put some innocuous soap operas like those public TV stations. ."

Tang En said with a smile: "Yes, the scale should be large and the taste should be important!"

The crowd laughed.

Bill McNick shook his head again and again, "No matter how big the scale is, there must be a bottom line, and we can't challenge the values ​​of the American people too much. We are different from Playboy's TV station."

As soon as these words came out, the laughter in the conference room grew louder.

Tang En eased the atmosphere, and after a while, he resumed the theme, cleared his throat and said, "This sixth point is mainly for the scale adjustment of the sta TV network. HBO has been globalizing since 1991. The layout has been completed, but the progress is limited, and the strategic direction is seriously wrong!"

West Cotton added with a smile, "It's true that hbo's lack of funds in the early days made their operational cooperation in Europe not smooth, and they turned to third world development such as South America and Asia. But...we are an English department. content, and Europe is leading.”

Tang En said: "It's not complete. Asia's South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places also have the ability to subscribe, and they are very keen on high-quality genuine content. But we can't make the mistake of News Corp. The market on the other side is huge, but Now is not the time to reach out."

"Of course, this is a very large-scale business. Without suitable human resources, it is difficult to open up the market. This is not urgent. We will wait until Dunn Pictures completes the acquisition of a world-class film distribution company With channels and resources all over the world, at that time, it was the time for the sta TV network to expand its layout on a global scale.”

Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen panicked.

A world-class film distribution company?

Isn't that the Big Six of Hollywood?

Is Dunn Pictures to buy a Hollywood giant?

This is simply great news!

Bill McNick frowned and said solemnly, "Pay attention to confidentiality!"

Tony Grammer coughed heavily, "That... Boss, since we want to implement a boutique line and focus on building a brand image, then... the old $3 a month subscription fee, will it also be adjusted? ?"

"Of course, it must be changed!" Tang En was full of courage and vigor, "Even if there will be pain in the short term, we must adhere to a long-term strategic line! Subscription fee... 3 months minimum subscription, $23.99, half-year subscription fee is $45.99 or $89.99 for a single year subscription.”

"what?"

Tony Grammer and Martin Tangwen exclaimed directly.

This price... is too high!

At present, hbo, which has the highest subscription fee, costs only $6 per month, while sho costs about $5... and Dunn's price has raised the subscription fee of sta to $8 per month!

It's too dark, isn't it?

Tang En frowned and said coldly: "The price is high? Hmph, this is just the beginning! When the brand is established, my goal is $10!"

$10 for a monthly subscription?

This big boss, how high is his future expectations for the starz TV network?

Tony Grammer gasped in shock.

Unpredictable future!

(Sanqi Chinese)