The usually fleeting minute seems a bit long for Murdoch.
Murdoch originally hoped that the young man in front of him could calm down, but soon, as the numbers popped out of Eric's mouth, Murdoch himself couldn't calm down.
He began to quickly calculate the gains and losses of things. Eric was right. Once Fox TV lost "Friends" this time, it would miss the best and possibly the only chance to rise. Once "Friends" is really lost, if Fox TV can still quietly dormant and develop quietly, then it's nothing. However, after the ratings miracle of "Friends", the three old TV stations have realized the threat of the Fox TV network to their status, and they will definitely not allow the Fox TV network without "Friends" to continue to develop steadily.
Having worked in the media industry for decades, Murdoch is used to all kinds of intrigues and brutal competition in the industry. When he left Australia to start his career in the UK, during the most difficult period, his competitors did everything possible. To retaliate against him, an outsider, even the personal safety of his family was threatened. A group of kidnappers mistakenly kidnapped the wife of a News Corporation manager as his wife. When they learned that they had kidnapped the wrong person, the poor women ≥, people were killed.
Now that he has come to the United States again, Murdoch believes that the competition in the North American industry will not be much milder than that in the United Kingdom.
In less than 30 seconds, countless thoughts had passed through Murdoch's mind.
Eric, who was sitting opposite, was still staring at the watch in his hand, counting down slowly.
"9... 8... 7... 6..."
the last few seconds. Murdoch finally sighed. He waved his hand lightly. Said: "Eric, don't count, I promise you."
Eric paused for a moment when he heard Murdoch's words, and then slowly counted the remaining numbers as if due to some kind of inertia, before raising his head.
Of course, he just couldn't be really suddenly young and vigorous, as a mature middle-aged man, although Murdoch's threat to him is much lower than his threat to take away "Friends". But it is impossible for him to make any drastic actions because of this. He was betting that there was a 70% chance that Murdoch would agree, because the Fox network needed Friends so badly.
Of course, he also thought about what would happen if Murdoch really did not agree.
In fact, even if the conversation really collapsed, it's okay, he can be sure that the countdown to one minute is really over, and he walks away. Murdoch is sure to come again. Because of the original plan, it is impossible for him to really sever the cooperation with Fox TV. After several overtures from Fox, he would half-heartedly agree to renegotiate.
But if that's the case, Fox will definitely be able to realize his bottom line from these actions of his. At that time, he will no longer have the opportunity to get a 10% stake in the Fox TV network.
However, based on Murdoch's attitude after he put forward his own conditions, Eric himself thought that it was impossible for him to have a chance to get a 10% stake in Fox TV.
But after Murdoch heard that he might transfer "Friends" to abc, he wisely used his women to make some threats, which gave him a reason to attack.
Isn't it reasonable for him to be so angry and become a beauty for him who is young and energetic
Since the chances of getting 10% of the shares were slim, Eric took a gamble.
In the end, Murdoch didn't dare to take this risk. He was afraid that Eric would be really angry. He didn't even give him a chance to maneuver after leaving, so he directly cut off the cooperation with Fox TV and transferred "Friends" to ABC TV. Once the worst kind of thing happens, there is no room for redemption.
Therefore, he won the bet.
Although Murdoch nodded in agreement, Eric did not show any joy. He just picked up the coffee pot in front of him lightly, poured himself another cup of coffee, picked it up and tasted it carefully, waiting for Murdoch K spoke first.
Murdoch's vision is not so sophisticated. From Eric's indifferent action, he quickly realized that he might have been fooled just now.
repent!
This was Murdoch's first thought.
However, if Eric might have threatened him by pretending to be angry just now, then if he repents immediately now, maybe Eric will really leave.
After more than 30 years of fighting in the media industry, how could Murdoch be willing to fall into the hands of a brat.
Since he can't immediately turn his face and deny it, Murdoch must of course try to recover the loss as much as possible.
"Eric, I can give you 10% of the shares of the Fox TV network, but you should also know that if you use this TV series to negotiate the same conditions with the three major TV stations, the other party may kick you out of the office. So Well, one "Friends" is not enough, you need, um..." Murdoch pondered for a while, and then said: "You need to provide Fox with two more excellent TV series, of course, I know that it can reach the level of "Friends" It's very difficult, so, as long as the average ratings of those two TV dramas can reach 1,500 people, I promise to transfer the equity to you."
Eric almost laughed out loud when he heard this condition.
If Murdoch proposes other conditions, it may be difficult for him, but if it is an American drama with high ratings, let alone two, it is twenty, and Eric can make up the corners of his memory carefully. Even the subtitle crews didn't bother to translate the American dramas with terrible ratings in the previous life, so most of the American dramas that can enter the country are high-quality American dramas with high ratings.
However, Eric also heard some other problems from Murdoch's words. Murdoch was obviously saying that he would transfer the shares to Fox after he provided Fox with two high-rated American dramas.
How is this possible? He can be sure that if the three American dramas are really handed over to Fox first, and when the results come out, it is estimated that Murdoch will try not to look old, and it is impossible to give him any shares. Because at that time, the three TV series had already been aired, and Fox had also cultivated enough regular audiences with its high ratings. The next steps were very clear.
"Mr. Murdoch, I can provide two more shows for Fox, and it's not a problem to have more than 15 million viewers, because I happen to have a few good ideas. However, I don't like to play with words. Today is the eighth , The 10th is the day when "Friends" will be broadcast again, and if Fox TV has not shown sincerity in transferring shares before the night after tomorrow, I don't guarantee what will happen." After Eric finished speaking, he made a gesture to get up.
If Eric had only said the last few sentences of what he just said, maybe Murdoch would have let Eric go. But hearing Eric's words 'I just have a few good ideas', Murdoch was moved again. He proposed the so-called two TV programs with more than 15 million ratings, and he originally wanted to spoil the promise just now. With an average viewership of more than 15 million American dramas, it is impossible for all TV stations in North America to add up to more than 10 a year, and most of them are sequels of those old hit dramas. It is even more difficult for a brand-new American drama to achieve this result. Therefore, the first season of "Friends" has more than 30 million viewers, which caused such a big sensation.
Therefore, seeing that Eric was about to get up, Murdoch quickly waved his hand to stop him: "Wait, Eric, how can I play some word games with you. You have to believe that since I agreed to your conditions, I will I'm sure I won't go back on my word, so let's sit down and have a good chat, let's talk about your... ideas?"
Believe me, you just saw a ghost!
Eric swears that he doesn't want to talk any more. It's too sad to confront the old fox Murdoch. If you don't pay attention, you may fall into the opponent's pit. But hearing Murdoch's question, Eric couldn't help but sit down again.
"Actually, this is what I think, Mr. Murdoch, I can also produce two TV series, but if you want to improve the influence of a TV station, just a TV series is definitely not enough. Give Fox another TV series that is different from "" In addition to TV series of the "Friends" type, I plan to create another variety show for Fox TV, and I guarantee that if this variety show is operated well, it will not be a problem to have an average viewership of more than 20 million."
Murdoch's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Eric, can you tell me about your idea for that... variety show?"
Eric smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Murdoch, I just said that I hope to see Fox TV's preliminary equity transfer plan between the 10th. Before that, there is no need to talk about anything."
"However, if you refuse to reveal anything, how do I know whether what you say is true?" Murdoch asked.
Eric rubbed his palms irritably, and reminded: "Mr. Murdoch, don't forget, you agreed to transfer the shares of Fox TV to me entirely for the sake of "Friends". It doesn't matter, so you can only choose to trust me."
"Or else, Eric, I can transfer the shares to you first, but it must be specified, let's take a period of one year. If you can't achieve the goal of having the average ratings of the two TV shows exceeding 15 million Promise, then, if there is less than one share, 5% of the shares will be returned, what do you think?"
Eric sneered and said: "Mr. Murdoch, falsifying ratings is 100 times easier than falsifying movie box office. At that time, it will not be as much as you Fox says. Do you think I will agree?" (To be continued.. )