Chapter 557： brave Heart

Name：I'm in Hollywood Author：Just Do
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Chapter 556

Erik's guarantee does not make any sense at Murdoch. Even if the contract is renewed, half of the copyrights of Archives and Who Becomes a Millionaire are still in the hands of Firefly. +◆,

Once Firefly Pictures completes the acquisition of the TV network, and "Files" and "Who will become a millionaire" just become competitors to certain programs of the Firefly TV station, who can guarantee that the fireflies will not secretly make some hands and feet, Murdoch For the fiasco of "cutting the throat" two years ago, the memory is still fresh, and he also learned some inside of the matter from his daughter's mouth. A movie not only brought more than 100 million US dollars in losses, but also completely defeated the confidence of the Disney film shareholders at that time. Otherwise, the firefly wanted to buy Disney at that time, it would not be so easy.

With the worry in his heart, Murdoch said: "Eric, why not sell the other half of the "Files" and "Who will become a millionaire" to Fox?"

Eric has long expected that Murdoch will make such a request, and lost "Friends", which is already a big blow to Fox TV. Once Firefly Pictures withdraws from Fox TV, the two sides will never again There is no direct interest dispute, and it is still the fireflies to grasp the copyright of the remaining two programs, which is equivalent to completely exposing their weaknesses to the opponents.

Although "Archives" and "Friends" belong to the phenomenal TV series in the 1990s, the audiences of the two TV series are very different. Most of the audience of "Archives" are concentrated in the group of young people around 20 years old. Although there are many diehards, the size of the audience is naturally limited. "Friends" is a sitcom of all ages, basically not limited by the age of the audience. The influence of Friends is also much greater than the Archives.

Now that he is ready to get back the rights to play "Friends," Eric has prepared for giving up the "Archives", and the copyright of "Archives" can also be used as a very important bargaining chip.

As for "Who will be a millionaire", this program is very simple, after several years of broadcast. The audience will inevitably produce aesthetic fatigue. The ratings of programs in North America are gradually decreasing. However, because of the success of this reality TV show in the United States, many overseas TV stations negotiate program authorization every year. This income is very stable. There is no need for cost at all. Moreover, by selling half of the copyright in his hand to Fox, the price offered by the other party is definitely much less than the future income of the program. Eric’s acquisition of the TV network is in urgent need of money. But it has not been lacking to this extent, so it is of course impossible to give up easily.

"Rubert, as long as the price is right, I can transfer the copyright of "Archives" to Fox, but I will not let go of the copyright of "Who will become a millionaire", you must know the reason. Of course, if you I am worried that the fireflies will be too involved in the production of "Who will become a millionaire" in the future. Fireflies can give up participating in the production process, only invest and enjoy the corresponding share. Moreover, fireflies can also extend the original five-year contract in advance."

Murdoch's most concerned is actually "Friends", but at this time, I heard that Eric did not hesitate to say these conditions, Murdoch is still a little surprised that Eric will let go so easily.

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

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

"I want Fox TV to complete all the processes of repurchasing the stakes in Firefly within one month. Of course, in order not to let News Corp. cash flow problems, the repurchase funds can be paid in installments within the next six months." Eric ignored Murdoch’s gradual condensed look continued, “If we can’t reach an agreement within a month, then the conditions I just said are invalid!”

Murdoch discovered that Eric was more eager than he had imagined. Although Firefly Pictures only holds 10% of the shares of Fox TV, this 10% share is second only to the second largest shareholder in the Fox TV network after the Murdoch family. In theory, fireflies The film industry has the right to speak in the Fox TV network after the Murdoch family, but Eric has never used this right in recent years.

Rights and obligations are often relative.

According to the anti-monopoly law of the United States, Firefly Pictures has such an important voice in the fourth largest TV network in the United States, and it cannot easily initiate acquisitions on other national television networks. Otherwise, acquisition activities are likely to suffer. A joint investigation by the US Federal Securities and Exchange Commission (US) and the Federal Communications Commission, if there are other forces behind the intervention, then the trouble will be even more.

Therefore, Eric is eager to take out the shares of Fox TV Network within one month, so that Firefly's acquisition of other TV networks will not bring similar legal risks.

Of course, this kind of issue involving monopoly is not the most concerned about Murdoch. The anti-monopoly law in the United States has a lot of room for activities, which involves more and more interests between different forces, and the media industry. The monopoly restrictions have been gradually relaxing in recent years. Murdoch is more concerned about limiting the negotiation cycle to less than a month. At this time, it seems that Fox TV is not in a dominant position. Nothing is cheap.

You know, a few years ago, Eric personally took away 10% of the shares from him, only used 80 million US dollars, and the firefly film industry submitted the withdrawal plan at this time, the offer is 800 million US dollars, although this The quotation is not much different from the market value of Fox TV now, but the difference of ten times still makes Murdoch very unacceptable.

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

Eric smiled and said: "Rubert, you know, my character is not really suitable for negotiating such things."

Murdoch showed a confused expression. Eric also did not sell the lawsuit and continued: "Or, let Kasenberg talk to Fox on behalf of Firefly."

Kasenberg's style has always been known for his toughness. Eric remembers the original time and space. Kasenberg is responsible for the negotiations between Disney and Jobs's Pixar studio. The final terms are. The animations produced by Pixar Studio can not only participate in the profit distribution of Disney's surrounding distribution, even the film box office profit share is not, Pixar can only get a fixed 'commission' for each 3D animation movie, and finally, "Toy Story" is a great success. But Pixar Studio did not get much money, but in desperation, Jobs can only choose to go public when Pixar's performance has just improved.

Murdoch is of course very clear about who Kasenberg is, and the nickname of the arrogant Golden Retriever is not white.

I smiled a bit. Murdoch said: "Eric, when you got the shares ten years ago, it only cost 80 million. Do you think that the $800 million offer is reasonable?"

Eric’s face is not red and he doesn’t breathe. Of course, he said: “If there aren’t a few programs provided by Firefly’s movie industry to allow Fox TV to quickly open up and expand, perhaps the original 10% stake is still only 80 million, so If it is not Fox TV, the current market value is only so much. I actually think this offer is very low, so I think this offer is very reasonable." Speaking here. Eric couldn't help but shook his head: "Rubert, in fact, I think the Fox TV network's production team has gone wrong. For four years, even a TV with influence comparable to Archives. The show has not been made, you should probably change another person."

Murdoch’s heart is a bitter smile, and this kind of thing is so easy. The US television industry has fixed thousands of original TV dramas every year, but the series that can survive and produce enough influence is horrible, and this is not a problem for Fox TV. The other three TV networks have A similar problem. If the program with an average of 20 million viewerships is as good as it is. There will be no price for the TV station to pay a million dollars in a single set in order to retain the protagonist.

"Eric, the price of 800 million US dollars is even my consent. I don't think the board will pass it easily. Therefore, I think you should give in some money here. Otherwise, it will be difficult to talk about it in a month. Proper."

"I still just mean," Eric is unmoved. Everyone knows that although the Murdoch family does not have absolute control over News Corp., for many years, no one has dared to challenge Murdoch. Authoritative, Murdoch is absolutely in control of the news group, watching the old fox's savvy eyes keep turning, Eric suddenly said: "Rubert, you have to know, in fact, this thing talks about For a long time, there may be some images on the Firefly Films, but it will definitely not be more influential than you. You know, Firefly Pictures is not a listed company, but News Corp. is different."

Murdoch was shocked. He didn't expect Eric to suddenly mention this. He thought Eric couldn't think of it.

Eric just said that if the high-profile episode provided by Firefly Pictures quickly opened up the situation, Fox TV could not develop so fast in the past few years, but at the same time, the capital market also I understand the importance of Firefly Films as the second largest shareholder of Fox TV Network, a subsidiary of News Corporation.

Therefore, once the withdrawal of the shares has been dragged on for too long, exposed by the media, and even exaggerated the differences between the two sides, the Fox TV network that has just developed will definitely suffer a setback. The stock price of News Corporation will also be very Great impact.

Seeing Murdoch not talking, Eric continued: "So, we both negotiate this matter as soon as possible, then, Firefly's withdrawal from Fox TV can be as quiet as possible. Completion, this will not have any impact on News Corp. Of course, even if someone later discovered this, but with the conditions I just mentioned, I believe News Corporation shareholders will not lose confidence in Fox TV network, and, fireflies The film industry can also cooperate with some public relations activities in the future."

Murdoch fell into a short silence.

Eric raised his hand and looked at the watch. It was already two o'clock in the afternoon. He took the initiative to stand up and said: "Rubert, this matter is not too urgent, you can go back and think about it, I think I have to go back to work. There are still some things to do in the afternoon."

Murdoch saw that Eric did not continue to be aggressive. Although the expression on his face did not relax too much, he followed Eric to get up: "Then I will go back first, I will reply you as soon as possible."

"I am looking forward to your good news," Eric politely personally sent Murdoch to his luxury car, watching the other car leave, only holding the head of the administrative building's own office. Go.

Just sitting down at the back of the desk, Eric’s temporary secretary in the studio pushed in and put a document in front of Eric: “Mr. Williams, this is what Mr. Fesman just passed. He has already talked to Mr. Mel Gibson, and there is also a script in it."

Eric sighed, and when the secretary went out, he opened the folder. The folder was a movie project plan book with two words: "Brave Heart".

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 film, best director and best actor. An important series of Oscar awards.

Of course, these are not the most concern of Eric. The reason why I can think of this movie is because Eric has encountered Sophie in France and wants to turn this French rose to Hollywood as soon as possible. The movie is more suitable.

In the 1990s, Mel Gibson’s status in Hollywood was no worse than that of Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner. If it wasn’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 is not too concerned about Mel Gibson's affairs. After all, those problems are common to Hollywood stars, but the scandal of Mel Gibson is infinitely exaggerated. (To be continued...)