In addition to ESPN buying out the live broadcast rights of the American Football League, another plan is to cooperate with Eagle.
Or content.
Simon plans to transfer the large amount of news, events, music, ceremonies and other video content accumulated by Daenerys' TV department, especially the newly merged Metropolitan ABC Group, over the years to Ygrit's YouTube video platform.
Of course, this does not include the many TV drama resources that can bring continuous and generous syndicated income to the TV department.
These will only be made available to streaming platforms at a higher rights price in the future.
Speaking of which, Simon had actually been promoting this matter before merging with Metropolitan ABC Group.
In recent years, all the fashion shows, special interviews, etc. accumulated by Fashion TV have been gradually moved online after Yigrit launched a dedicated YouTube video platform in April this year.
As the Internet industry becomes more and more prosperous, the traditional media's rejection and fear of this field have become more and more intense. In the final analysis, it is still a struggle for interests. They are worried about being impacted and eliminated. Therefore, if Simon had not personally come forward to make a strong decision, this matter would have It's not easy. Just like Tinker Bayer has been introducing genuine music resources through Broadcast, it is not as easy as imagined, and he can only take the wrong approach and condone piracy.
Any enterprise or even any industry cannot avoid losing its tail when it develops to a certain extent.
This is also the main reason why reform is so difficult.
In most cases, the final result is to be broken and re-established, or completely eliminated. Regarding the content cooperation between Daenerys and Ygritte, Simon’s reply to dissenters in the TV department was only one sentence: Do you want to be Should others eliminate you, or should you eliminate yourself
After discussions with senior executives from Daenerys’ TV department on Sunday, it was finally decided to set up a dedicated content cooperation team to connect with Ygritte.
Daenerys is still responsible for the specific operations, and Ygritte mainly provides the platform.
Daenerys will create corresponding columns on the YouTube website based on the program lists of public or cable television platforms owned by the Metropolitan ABC Group such as ABC Television Network, ESPN Television, A&E Television Network, etc., such as "Morning News" or Nightline and more. Then, according to the date, the video masters stored in the warehouse of Metropolis ABC Group for decades were digitized and converted into clips of about five minutes according to YouTube's rules, and uploaded one by one.
Igret only launched the YouTube video website in April this year according to Simon's usual naming method. Before that, the content was mainly music MVs, film and television trailers, etc. Even if you include the resources previously obtained from Fashion TV and other channels, the content is still the same. Not very rich.
YouTube's positioning is the same as that of the previous website. It is a platform for uploading user-generated content, not a streaming media like Netflix.
However, at this stage, digital video cameras (DV) have just been introduced to the civilian consumer market. The digital video camera iRec originally planned to be launched by Tinker Bayer this fall has also been postponed due to reasons such as immature technology. Although the civilian Super 8 video camera The penetration rate of other electronic products in the West is also very high, but this is a film video recorder, and it is difficult for the general public to convert to digital.
Therefore, at this stage, YouTube does not yet have the conditions to introduce content from ordinary user groups.
Only work with large media groups.
This large-scale uploading of content accumulated by Metropolis ABC Group for many years is preliminary estimated to increase the total length of content stored on the YouTube platform by more than 10 times at one time. This is also the foundation of Metropolis ABC as an established media giant. Although most of the content is outdated information, it is just like a library. Through Yigrit's continuous optimization of the search recommendation system, users can always find the information they are interested in.
For Daenerys, on the other hand, the content doesn't come for free.
Ygritte has been trying to place advertisements on the YouTube platform. As a content provider, Daenerys Entertainment can obtain a share of advertising revenue.
Of course, not too much.
Yigrit is still in the stage of rapid development, and its first priority is to win over more users, rather than impatiently pursuing maximization of profits. Therefore, YouTube advertising has very strict restrictions.
Privately, Simon has been constantly trying various services under Ygrit. As for YouTube, he will never allow this video platform to have such a disgusting thing that you have to watch a minute and a half of ads to watch a two- to three-minute video. . This is not a shrewd pursuit of profit maximization at all. It can only be described as disgusting. Anyway, Simon has been so disgusted by some video websites several times. Even if those websites have improved in the future, he has never used it again.
Moreover, whether it is now or many years from now, the fundamental purpose of YouTube should not be to pursue profits, but to supplement the content and services of the Yigrit brand and increase users' stickiness to the Yigrit product ecosystem.
In the past, if advertising revenue was excluded, all of Google's products would actually be "loss-making". However, Google as a whole is one of the most profitable Internet giants in the United States, and here is the key.
Google Maps, Google Translate, Google Mail, Android and other products may seem free, but Google has invested heavily in improving these products because these products can fundamentally bring a lot of stickiness to Google. Strong and die-hard users, while keeping all potential enemies firmly out of the door to avoid being overtaken by competitors in corners.
Ultimately, a super Internet oligarchy was created.
Manhattan.
ABC headquarters on West 66th Street on the Upper West Side.
The meeting about Daenerys and Ygritte's content cooperation lasted until four o'clock in the afternoon. After arranging this matter, other executives dispersed one by one, and Simon and Robert Egger turned to the post-production center to review "U.S. The production of "Idol".
After the two companies completely finalized the merger, "American Idol", which was originally firmly controlled by Daenerys Entertainment, gradually transferred its later teams to ABC and merged with ABC's support team, which can save resources. , and it is also more convenient for cooperation between various departments.
Since its launch in September, "American Idol" has maintained extremely high ratings of more than 30 million viewers in recent months, making it a top priority for the ABC TV network this year. Simon himself also regularly takes time to follow the show every week. In "American Idol", samples will be sent to Simon in advance before each episode is broadcast.
It's just that the advertising revenue of "American Idol" in a single season exceeds 600 million US dollars. Throwing away all production and marketing costs, the net profit contributed will reach about 10% of the net profit of the entire Daenerys Entertainment Group. Not to mention the income from subsequent income from overseas copyrights of "American Idol", peripheral products and other products.
Even though there is no shortage of high-quality projects on hand, "American Idol" is already a gold mine that everyone in Daenerys Entertainment is eyeing.
Simon and Egg spent an hour in the post-production center. Even though it was Sunday, there were still many staff busy here. Even when it was time to get off work at 5 o'clock, there were no Chinese people here that Simon remembered. Westerners love to talk about situations where they immediately drop what they are doing and leave immediately.
On the one hand, the two weekly production tasks of "American Idol" are very tight and must be worked overtime. On the other hand, the production team has gained very generous benefits from this project, so it is easy to accept overtime.
In fact, whether it is good or bad, most Chinese people's illusions about the West are the same as many Westerners still think that Chinese people still wear pigtails.
Daenerys Entertainment Group’s generous treatment in the entire media and entertainment field is well known.
If you give the horse enough forage, it will naturally run more.
Therefore, although overtime is not mandatory at all, Daenerys Entertainment employees on both coasts do not mind working a little more. For popular projects like "American Idol", team members are even more dedicated. Because of the success of the project, these people can receive very generous bonuses.
Simon and Iger had other things to talk about, but they did not accompany the employees to work overtime. At five o'clock, when they were about to leave, they were stopped by Shane Derrick, the producer of "American Idol", who also Considered a veteran of Daenerys Entertainment's television department, Derek was already the backbone of the project team during the production of "Survivor."
"Actually, it's like this," Shane Derek said, stopping the two bosses who were about to leave: "The winter break is coming soon, and in the next few months at the end of the year, the marketing of "American Idol" will definitely continue. We just discussed this this morning. I think we should release an "American Idol" theme song, so boss, what do you think?"
Shane Derek's last words were addressed to Simon.
The purpose is self-evident.
Robert Egger also looked over with a smile and took the initiative to help: "Simon, this is indeed a good idea, and I don't think it will be difficult for you."
Simon has not released many songs over the years, but every one of them is a phenomenal classic.
On the single sales list of Tinker Bayer's Broadcast platform, songs such as "Young and Beautiful", "Bach's Last Day", and "Blizzard" are still at the top of the list.
Therefore, Iger and Derek naturally felt that leaving the "American Idol" theme song to Simon would be the best choice. Just the name of the creator Simon Westeros is enough to attract a lot of attention after the song is released, ensuring that the popularity of "American Idol" will not slip during the winter break.
This matter really couldn't be simpler for Simon.
Facing the expectant looks of the two people, Simon quickly nodded and said: "No problem, I will pay attention to this matter."
Of course, there is no need to say any words of thanks to his boss. Shane Derek couldn't help but remind him: "Boss, because we still have to record the MV, it's best to finish it within a week."
Simon nodded again.
In fact, if Simon is willing, it can be done on the spot in ten or twenty minutes.
It's just that there's no need to act so shocking.
After saying this, the two left the post-production center. Egger took Simon to the top floor of the red brick building at the ABC headquarters, where an office had been prepared for Simon.
After a brief review, there was no dissatisfaction. The two sat down on the sofa in the reception area. Iger directly talked about another matter: "I have already been in contact with David Letterman. He is very happy to have his contract with CBS expire next year." Moving "The Late Show with David Letterman" to ABC, the problem now is salary. However, this is not a big deal. The question is still what to do with our original "Nightline"? "Nightline" host Ted Cope I am a veteran who has worked at ABC for decades and has good prestige in the entire media circle. If this program is cut off directly, it may cause criticism. Letterman also hinted to me in private that ABC must deal with it first. As for Nightline, he doesn't want to take the blame for taking away Koppell's job."
Simon and Iger discussed reforming ABC's late-night programming.
This is also something Simon had already determined before acquiring Metropolitan ABC Group.
The three major public television networks, after the three-hour prime time in the evening, will also have late-night programs after 11 o'clock. NBC and CBS's main late-night programs are talk shows, and ABC has a late-night news program "Nightline" .
The gap between the three is clear at a glance just by talking about income.
NBC's "Late Night with Jay Leno" earns the network $150 million a year, and CBS's "Late Night with David Letterman" is less popular and contributes $50 million in profits each year, and that's just for now , Simon knows that the popularity of David Letterman’s late night show is currently weaker than that of Jay Leno, just because of his junior qualifications. Letterman’s late night show was only launched two years ago. In memory, as the popularity continues to rise, , the two reality shows will gradually keep pace with each other, and their profitability will be almost the same.
Looking at "Nightline" again, it only contributes a meager $10 million in profits to ABC every year.
If that's all, it's actually nothing.
What Simon values even more is the promotional function of the late night show.
The various guests on each late night show are basically promoting the launch of movies, TV shows, and books. It just so happens that Daenerys Entertainment's various businesses are in great need of such a platform.
ABC's current "Nightline" obviously does not have this feature.
Therefore, Simon will definitely create this kind of show, even if he can't poach Jay Leno and David Letterman, he will carefully build it from scratch.
After Egger finished speaking, Simon asked: "What do you think we should do?"
Robert Egger said: "The current broadcast time of "Nightline" is 11 o'clock, and the duration is one hour. I think the duration can be shortened to half an hour. Late night shows on NBC and CBS both air at 11:35. , "Nightline" was shortened, and after poaching David, it just happened to take over."
“Can’t Nightline be put after Late Night?”
"The late night show is one hour long. If we do this, "Nightline" will be completely dispensable," Iger said with a wry smile, and then said: "At that time, everyone will still be able to see that we did it on purpose. To force Koppel to resign so that Nightline can be canceled smoothly."
Simon probably understood what Iger was thinking.
Being in this circle, one is bound by human connections and is also constrained by public opinion. In many cases, it is actually impossible to act recklessly.
This is still a big tail that can't be lost.
In many large companies, as long as it is not related to their own vital interests, executives often just ignore some serious ills.
Late-night programs, broadcast at 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock, are actually two different concepts. Many people can stay up until 11 o'clock, but in the early morning, most people will force themselves to take a rest. Therefore, "Nightline" backwards Push it for an hour, and the already unsatisfactory ratings may completely collapse.
Without ratings, the program will definitely fall into losses, and it will completely lose its existence value.
This is indeed tantamount to forcing veteran host Ted Koppel, who has been working at ABC for many years, to resign.
If you rely on force, no one will look good.
It's just that such an old-school host who has worked hard for decades and has a wide network of contacts due to his work is kicked out of the TV station. ABC will inevitably face accusations of profit-seeking. If it arouses the audience's resentment, it will even The ratings of reality shows that are boycotted and replaced will inevitably be affected.
This is why David Letterman specifically hinted that Iger should deal with the "Nightline" matter first.
Simon thought for a moment and said, "Well, you can tell Ted that I personally endorse that after the introduction of the late night show, "Nightline" will continue to be profitable or not. Of course, I think this program also needs It needs to be reformed to attract a wider audience, right?"
What Robert Egger actually wants in his heart is Simon's endorsement.
As long as the big boss speaks, no matter what the future of "Nightline", not many people will raise objections. Of course, if it falls into a long-term loss, as the host, Ted Huppert will inevitably bear considerable pressure, but this is already the best solution.
As for reform, this is also inevitable.
Daenerys Entertainment has taken over Metropolis ABC Group. If this old media giant is to be revived, many things need to change.