Eric's guarantee is meaningless to Murdoch. Even if the contract is renewed, half of the copyrights of "X-Files" and "Who Will Be a Millionaire" are still in the hands of Firefly Pictures.
Once Firefly Pictures completes the acquisition of the TV network, and "The X-Files" and "Who Will Be a Millionaire" just become competitors of certain programs on Firefly's TV station, who can guarantee that Firefly will not do something secretly, Murdoch Ke still remembers the fiasco of "Cut Throat Island" two years ago, and he also learned some inside information from his daughter. A movie not only brought a loss of more than 100 million U.S. dollars, but also completely shattered the confidence of the shareholders of Disney Pictures in the management at that time. Otherwise, it would have been absolutely not so easy for Firefly to acquire Disney.
With concern in his heart, Murdoch said: "Eric, how about selling the other half of the copyrights of "X-Files" and "Who Will Be a Millionaire" to Fox?"
Eric had long expected that Murdoch would make such a request. The loss of "Friends" was already a big blow to the Fox TV network, and once Firefly Pictures withdrew its shares from the Fox TV network, the two parties would never again Without any direct interest entanglement, letting Firefly still control the copyright of the remaining two programs is tantamount to exposing its own weaknesses to its opponents.
Although "X-Files" and "Friends" are both phenomenal TV series in the 1990s, the audiences of the two TV series are quite different. Most of the audience of "X-Files" are young people in their twenties Among the groups, although there are many diehards, the number of viewers is inherently limited. "Friends" is a sitcom for all ages, basically not restricted by the age of the audience, so. Friends also had a much bigger impact than The X-Files.
Now that he is ready to get back the broadcast rights of "Friends", Eric is already prepared to give up "X-Files", and the copyright of "X-Files" can also be used as a very important bargaining chip.
As for "Who Will Be a Millionaire", this program has been broadcast for several years because of its very simple format. Viewers are also inevitably fatigued, and the ratings of local programs in North America are gradually declining. However, because of the success of this reality show in the United States, many overseas TV stations negotiate program licensing every year. This income is very stable. It doesn't even cost at all. Moreover, selling half of the copyright in his hand to Fox, the price offered by the other party must be much less than the future income of the program. Although Eric needs money urgently to acquire the TV network. But it is not lacking to this extent, so of course it is impossible to give up easily.
"Rupert, as long as the price is right, I can transfer the copyright of "X-Files" to Fox, but I will not let go of the half of the copyright of "Who Will Be a Millionaire". You must know the reason. Of course, if You worry in your heart that Firefly will get too involved in the production of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" in the future. Firefly can give up participating in the production process, and only invest and enjoy the corresponding share. Moreover, Firefly can also extend the original five-year contract in advance. "
Murdoch is actually most concerned about "Friends", but at this time, hearing Eric say these conditions without hesitation, Murdoch was still a little surprised that Eric would let go so easily.
Eric noticed Murdoch's surprised expression and said, "Of course. All of this is conditional."
Only then did Murdoch feel that things were normal, and said, "Say it."
"I want Fox Television Network to complete all the procedures for repurchasing Firefly's equity within one month. Of course, in order to prevent News Corporation from having cash flow problems, the repurchase funds can be paid in installments within the next six months." Eric ignored Murdoch's expression gradually became serious, and he continued loudly: "If we can't reach an agreement within a month, then the conditions I just said will be void!"
Only then did Murdoch realize that Eric was more eager than he had imagined. Although Firefly Pictures only holds a 10% stake in Fox Television Network, this 10% stake is already second only to the Murdoch family's second largest shareholder in Fox Television Network. In theory, Firefly The film industry has the right to speak in the Fox TV network second only to the Murdoch family, but Eric has never used this right in recent years.
Rights and obligations are often relative.
According to the US federal anti-monopoly law, Firefly Pictures has such an important voice in the fourth largest TV network in the United States, so it cannot easily initiate acquisitions of other national TV networks. When it comes to the joint investigation of the US Federal Securities and Exchange Commission (sec) and the Federal Communications Commission (fcc), if there are other forces behind it to intervene, the trouble will be even more.
Therefore, Eric was eager to sell Fox TV Network's shares within a month, so that Firefly Pictures' acquisition of other TV networks would not bring similar legal risks.
Of course, this kind of issue involving monopoly is not what Murdoch is most concerned about. There is a lot of room for movement in the US anti-monopoly laws and regulations, which involve more interests between different forces. Moreover, the media industry China's monopoly restrictions have been gradually relaxing in recent years. Murdoch is more concerned about limiting the negotiation period to less than one month. At this time, it seems that the Fox TV network is not in an advantageous position. Then, regarding the issue of the share offer in the hands of Firefly Pictures, News Corp. definitely has the upper hand. Nothing cheap.
You know, a few years ago, Eric personally took 10% of the shares from him for only 80 million U.S. dollars, and the withdrawal plan submitted by Firefly Pictures at this time was 800 million U.S. dollars. The quotation is not much different from the current market value of Fox Television Network, but the difference of ten times is still very difficult for Murdoch to accept.
"Eric, if you want to withdraw from the Fox TV network within a month, 800 million dollars is definitely not enough." Murdoch thought for a moment, and said: "I can only give you 600 million dollars at most, and , the payment period of this money also needs to be extended for at least one year.”
Eric smiled and said, "Rupert, you know, my character is actually not suitable for negotiating this kind of thing."
Murdoch looked puzzled. Eric did not sell the lawsuit either, and continued: "How about I ask Katzenberg to talk to Fox on behalf of Firefly Pictures."
Katzenberg's style has always been known for his toughness. Eric remembers that in the original time and space, Katzenberg was in charge of negotiating between Disney and Jobs' Pixar studio, and the final negotiated condition was. The animations produced by Pixar Studios not only cannot participate in Disney’s peripheral distribution profit sharing, but even the movie box office profit sharing. Pixar can only get a fixed “commission” for each 3D animation movie. In the end, “Toy Story” was a big success , but Pixar Studio did not get much funding. In desperation, Jobs could only choose to go public when Pixar's performance had just improved.
Murdoch, of course, knew very well who Katzenberg was, and the nickname of the manic golden retriever was not for nothing.
I smiled wryly. Murdoch said: "Eric, when you got the shares ten years ago, you only spent 80 million. Do you think the price of 800 million US dollars is reasonable?"
Eric blushed without panting, and said as a matter of course: "If it weren't for the few programs provided by Firefly Pictures to quickly open up the situation for Fox Television Network to expand, perhaps the original 10% shares are still only worth 80 million now, so , if it weren’t for the current market value of the Fox TV network. I actually think this offer is already very low, so I think this offer is very reasonable.” Speaking of this. Eric couldn't help but shook his head again: "Rupert, actually, I think the production team of the Fox TV network has a problem. For four years, even a show with an influence comparable to "X-Files" No TV show ever made, you should probably get another guy in charge or something."
Murdoch smiled wryly in his heart, this kind of thing is so easy. The American TV industry regularly produces tens of thousands of original TV series every year, but the number of TV series that can survive and have enough influence is terribly low. Moreover, this is not a problem of the Fox TV network, the other three TV networks have similar problem. If once a show with an average ratings of 20 million viewers is such a good product. There will also be no TV stations that will offer a million-dollar salary for a single episode in order to keep the protagonist.
"Eric, even if I agree to the price of 800 million US dollars, I don't think the board of directors will pass it easily, so I think you should make some concessions, otherwise, it will be difficult to negotiate in a month's time." OK."
"I still mean it just now," Eric said unmoved. Everyone knows that although the Murdoch family does not hold an absolute controlling stake in News Corp., no one has dared to challenge Murdoch's over the years. Authoritative, Murdoch definitely has control over News Corp. Seeing the old fox's shrewd eyeballs constantly flickering, Eric suddenly said: "Rupert, you have to know, in fact, this matter is about After a long time, there may be some negative effects on Firefly Pictures, but it will definitely not be greater than the impact on you, you know, Firefly Pictures is not a listed company, but News Corporation is different."
Murdoch was taken aback. He didn't expect Eric to mention this suddenly. He thought Eric would never think of it.
What Eric said just now is correct. If it wasn’t for the high ratings dramas provided by Firefly Pictures that quickly opened up the Fox TV network, the Fox TV network would not have developed so fast in the past few years, but at the same time, the capital market also I understand the significance of Firefly Pictures as the second largest shareholder of Fox Television Network, a subsidiary of News Corporation.
Therefore, once the stock withdrawal drags on for too long, is exposed by the media, and even exaggerates the differences between the two parties at will, then the newly developed Fox Television Network will definitely suffer a severe setback, and News Corporation's stock price will also suffer greatly. big impact.
Seeing that Murdoch did not speak, Eric continued: "So, we both negotiate this matter as soon as possible, so that Firefly Pictures' withdrawal from Fox Television Network can be done in an atmosphere as quiet as possible. Done, this will not have any impact on News Corporation. Of course, even if someone finds out about this later, but with the conditions I just mentioned, I believe that News Corporation shareholders will not lose confidence in Fox Television Network, and Firefly The film industry can also cooperate with some public relations activities in the future."
Murdoch fell into a brief silence.
Eric raised his hand and looked at his watch. It was already two o'clock in the afternoon. He stood up and said, "Rupert, there is no need to rush this matter. You can go back and think about it. I think I have to go back to work." Well, I still have some things to do this afternoon."
Murdoch saw that Eric did not continue to be aggressive. Although the expression on his face was not too relaxed, he also got up with Eric: "Then I will go back first, and I will give you an answer as soon as possible."
"I'm looking forward to your good news," Eric politely sent Murdoch to his luxury car, watched the other's car leave, and then headed towards his office in the administrative building with the big book in his hand go.
As soon as he sat down behind the desk, Eric's temporary secretary in the studio opened the door and put a document in front of Eric: "Mr. Williams, this is what Mr. Fishman just sent over. He's already talked to Mr. Mel Gibson, and there's a script in there."
Eric hummed, and waited for the secretary to go out before opening the folder. Inside the folder was a film project proposal with two words prominently written on the title: "Braveheart".
This is a relatively successful epic film in Hollywood in the 1990s. Although the box office was not very satisfactory, it also achieved profitability. Most importantly, this film won awards such as Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. A series of important Oscar awards.
Of course, these are not what Eric is most concerned about. The reason why he can think of this movie is because Eric met Sophie in France and wanted to abduct this French rose to Hollywood as soon as possible. Movies are more appropriate.
Mel Gibson's status in Hollywood in the 1990s was definitely no worse than that of Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, etc. If it weren't for Mel Gibson's series of tricks and deaths 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 in the history of celebrity Hollywood.
Eric didn't care too much about Mel Gibson's affairs. After all, many Hollywood stars had those problems, but Mel Gibson's scandal was infinitely exaggerated. (To be continued..)