Chapter 465： American idol

Dunn's plan did not succeed. This is the rare failure since his rebirth.

The main reason, of course, was that he didn't want to have a bad relationship with Jobs.

Otherwise, as he is a major shareholder of Apple, Jobs may choose to compromise in order to avoid being forced to be kicked out of Apple again.

A genius like Jobs is too rare, and he was abandoned by his parents since he was a child. His life was full of twists and turns, and he even went to India to be an ascetic. Dunn didn't want to hurt him again.

It's just Michael Eisner, even if Pixar doesn't work out, there are other ways for Dunn to win him!

The variety show "American Idol" produced by Dick Clark Television Productions was broadcast on cbs.

The first episode has more than 26 million viewers, and in the second episode... the average viewership is 33 million!

There is no doubt that "American Idol" will be an explosive variety show that surpasses "Millionaire" and "Survivor"!

In the past life, Fox, the fourth largest TV network in the United States, became a powerful viewing tool for the spring season with "American Idol". Not only did it defeat the three-way sniping of nbc, abc, and cbs, fox also adjusted the broadcast time, and it was golden in different evenings. Time broadcast, launched a counterattack, can rank first in the ratings of the day.

This is simply provocation!

But powerless.

"American Idol" is destined to be the widest, most influential and most popular variety show in American history.

In such a time period, "American Idol" landed on cbs TV station, which was a death blow to abc TV station!

Now, Disney and Viacom have launched a mortal duel.

The movie market is only a small head, and the competition between cbs and abc is the main battlefield!

This competition, in the previous life, lasted until 2005.

The two major media companies have been hit hard, and the stock prices of Viacom and Disney have been sluggish for many years.

This year, in order to save the stock price, Redstone split the Viacom Group and the CBS Group, and the media empire collapsed directly; Disney also made important changes this year and expelled Michael Eisner. Disney.

Tang En was happy to see the dog bite the dog.

Now that Michael Eisner has annoyed him, of course he's going to fight back!

The three executives of Dunn Films, Bill McNick, West Cotton and Toska Musk, are all in Dunn's office.

According to the common practice of TV stations, when signing a new program, it is usually a pilot agreement.

First try out one or two episodes, and judge whether it is popular with the market through the ratings feedback.

If the ratings are high, renew the contract and continue to play; if the ratings are low, just cut it off.

Especially American Idol, which has never had many stage music talent shows before.

A pilot contract is good for both the producer and the TV side.

The TV side can test the market response at a lower cost and reduce risks; in terms of licensing fees, the producer can also propose a contract that is more in line with its own interests based on market feedback results.

"American Idol" broadcasts two episodes a week, and cbs signed a two-episode pilot contract. The basic broadcast fee is $500,000, and the advertising fee is divided into 10%.

Now, the pilot contract of "American Idol" has expired, and Dunn Films needs to negotiate a formal contract with cbs.

The transfer agreement this time must not be as simple as a basic fee of $500,000 and a 10% advertising fee.

TV network... is an industry that is more profitable than movies!

"In this matter, we have to teach Disney a profound lesson! The first season of "American Idol" must be broadcast on cbs!" Dunn first characterized today's discussion.

Summer Redstone was the enemy, and so was Michael Eisner.

But for now, Michael Eisner's hostile relationship is stronger, and Redstone is... best left alone.

The TV business, which is directly in charge of the vice president Tosca Musk, said: "Three days ago, cbs sent a negotiating team to negotiate, but I refused because of lack of time."

West Cotton said with a smile: "This reason... is very powerful! Hehe, the third episode will be broadcast next Tuesday. If the contract is not settled within 3 days, cbs will lose a large number of viewers. Urgent, the more anxious they are, the higher the price they will make.”

Dunn took a deep look at him, and always felt that West Cotton had ideas for Tosca Musk, a beautiful woman, and was trying to please him in every possible way. In love. If this happens, you must file a resignation report."

West Cotton blushed, "Boss, I'm married."

Tosca Musk said angrily: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll resign now!"

Tang En responded casually, "There is no best."

Bill McNick hurriedly came out to round the stage and said with a smile: "The success of "American Idol" shows that the company's business has made new breakthroughs and new profit growth points! A popular show like this will definitely Make a splash!"

"It's natural." Tang En raised his mouth, full of pride, "I can make popular movies, invest in popular TV dramas, and also plan popular variety shows!"

"I also want to make my animated movie "Adventures of Bone Treasure", I don't have time to listen to your bragging." Tosca Musk is obviously still angry.

Tang En smiled, "How about the CBS contract renewal?"

"The sincerity is quite high, the broadcast fee of 3 million US dollars, plus 50% of the commercial advertising share." Tosca Musk rolled his eyes and thought for a moment, "This condition, we should be able to earn 50 million US dollars. "

Bill McNick, who previously worked at 20th Century Fox and managed the Fox network, had a lot of experience and immediately denied: "No, $50 million is too conservative. American Idol is going to run until June, you know what that means. What? It's summer! February is the low season, but after May, advertising prices will skyrocket."

Dunn didn't understand the business of the TV network, of course, it was based on Bill McNick, and asked: "Is this contract extension reasonable?"

"It's customary." Bill McNick nodded, for fear that Dunn didn't understand, and added, "In the absence of competition, 50% of the commercial advertising share has reached the top."

Tang En frowned and said puzzled: "But I heard...the commercial contract of "Friends", the producer can take more than 70% of the advertising costs? "American Idol" has more than 40 episodes in one season, more than "Friends". There are long-term effects."

Bill McNick said: "American Idol is only the first season after all, Friends has been around for too many years, the production cost is very high, the actor's salary alone is more than 80 million US dollars, and there is not enough advertising revenue, "Friends" Can't make it at all."

Tang En narrowed his eyes, "Fortunately, we are a variety show. If the judges dare to ask for a price, they will be replaced directly!"

Tosca Musk asked strangely: "Mr. President, in your opinion... With this contract provided by cbs, how much income can American Idol make?"

Bill McNick held out a finger: "At least $100 million!"

Even Tang En took a deep breath, "My dear, making variety shows doesn't make you any less than making movies!"

Bill McNick shook his head and said: "This is just the beginning. As the popularity of the program grows, the advertising fee will be higher and higher. The advertising fee of cbs will increase, and our income will naturally increase. On the other hand, "American Idol" is a music variety show, with peripheral output, such as telecom revenue from telephone voting, as well as record distribution, concerts, program sponsors, overseas edition authorization... Peripheral revenue will not be less than 200 million US dollars! Of course , the premise is that there are 30 million viewers, maintain the popularity, and do not decline."

Dunn's face flushed with excitement.

West Cotton widened his eyes in shock.

Tosca Musk murmured, "The contract of cbs can make so much... If it is authorized to other TV stations, wouldn't it make more money?"

This sentence did not arouse everyone's surprise.

"American Idol" is the hottest variety show in the United States in the past week. It not only has the highest ratings, but also has a very high topic in the entertainment section. Especially now is the audition stage, all kinds of strange contestants emerge in an endless stream, there are frequent farces, and there are many jokes, which are very attractive.

"How about abc's contract?"

Dunn asked softly Michael Eisner had a guilty conscience. In order to compete with cbs, he would definitely give a super large contract.

Tosca Musk said: "Base salary of $5 million, 58% of commercials."

Dunn curled his lips in disdain, very contemptuous, "This Michael Eisner is really stingy!"

"Indeed, the contracts provided by nbc and fox are better than abc." Tosca Musk paused, and two small dimples appeared on the corner of his mouth, "The nbc contract, 3 million US dollars and 60% of the advertising share; Fox is even more, the basic broadcast fee alone is as high as 10 million US dollars, and the advertising share has reached an astonishing 65%!"

In comparison, CBS offers the worst contracts.

However, cbs is the largest TV network in the United States, with Viacom assisting, and there are more promotion channels. More importantly, "American Idol" has already aired two episodes on cbs, they not only have the right of first refusal, but the audience has locked in cbs.

Temporary change of channel is not good for both parties.

Bill McNick said: "NBC's sincerity is still very good. In recent years, NBC's performance has been very poor. Especially after Jack Welch's retirement, GE has always had the idea of ​​selling NBC. As for Fox... Audience It is still a little smaller. Under the same circumstances, the first choice of advertisers and users is still the three major TV networks. Therefore, in many cases, Fox spends money to compete for programs, or does not sign a pilot agreement, and buys it out at one time. ."

Dunn nodded, "In principle, we are willing to renew the contract with cbs. However, Tosca, to keep a bottom line, the contract must be signed once a year, and the copyright of the second season of "American Idol" must not be used this time. It is reflected in the signing, at most giving CBS a right of first refusal under the same conditions."

(Sanqi Chinese)