Chapter 415 Thank you wife!
Of course Roland would not miss this temptation!
Or in other words, when the old man flew to England the next day and appeared in front of him with joy, he was directly confused by the other party's crazy thoughts and crazy behaviors full of imagination!
Before Sony Pictures Entertainment officially settled down, the old man was already planning NBC?
While planning NBC, the old man discovered that if DreamWorks and NBC were successfully merged, MGM and Universal, which are not supported by media in the American Motion Picture Association membership list, are doomed to decline?
Once they go into decline, can DreamWorks, which has swallowed Sony Pictures Entertainment and NBC, swallow Universal?
After DreamWorks swallowed Universal, as long as Warcraft Movies and Television initiates an acquisition of MGM, can the association completely change its name?
This kind of ambition of taking one step and seeing five steps is even crazier than when he saw "Black Hawk Down" and dismantled Sony!
After all, dismantling Sony is just strengthening itself!
The Film Association, which controls the rating power, represents the censorship system of a country's film market!
Especially in the past eighty years, when Hollywood has always been the propaganda outlet of the United States, controlling the Motion Picture Association of America and turning it into a monopoly, isn’t that equivalent to controlling the propaganda weapon of ideology?
This is a nuclear button in a peaceful age!
Who doesn’t want it!
"Steven, your idea is really... really... crazy!"
Roland shook his head. Being hit on the head by a sudden accident, he was a little incoherent. He picked up the water glass and kept drinking water, but this mechanical caressing action could not relieve the pressure in his heart, but made his brows furrow even more. deeper.
Because he didn't know why the old man would suddenly come out like this!
You know, 9/11 was just two months ago!
Before 9/11, the last time the old man asked him to acquire David Geffen's DreamWorks equity, what he was talking about was just annexing MGM and eating NBC! And after September 11th, when there was a more suitable target than MGM on the market, he could think of controlling the Motion Picture Association of America the moment he annexed Sony Pictures Entertainment?
this…
Isn't this a bit outrageous?
As a reborn person, Roland, who has the memory of his previous life, knows in his heart that if he did not dismantle Sony, then MGM would be bought by the other party, and Universal would be sold by Vivendi, so the old man's idea is There is some room for manipulation.
But the old man has no past life memory!
It is not clear whether the capital behind MGM has the idea of selling, and Vivendi’s finances are bound to be thundered because of their crazy acquisitions. How did he make this series of unreasonable layouts?
If he thinks about it casually, then Roland can only say that he has a big brain.
But if it is a precise calculation, then Roland wants to smash his head against the wall.
Because these things are issues that he has never considered...
And when he learned everything but didn't think about it, the old man made the optimal solution by himself?
Then his vision is too high, right?
"Crazy? Hahaha~"
When the old man found out that in the past ten years, the guy who had been dealing with everything with a sure-fire attitude had a ghostly expression on his face, that hearty and happy laughter immediately came out of his mouth.
It seems that there is the joy of winning back a victory, but it is even more joyful to see people get embarrassed.
And when he found that the puzzlement on Roland's face became irreversible with his own response, the eyes under the lens shone with pride, "Do you think my idea is too crazy? A little unrealistic?"
"Then what else?" Seeing that the old man didn't mean to be secretive, Roland, who wanted to know the answer, couldn't wait to urge him, "The idea is very good, but the process is more important! I want to know how you made DreamWorks swallow Sony? After film and television entertainment, as long as it successfully merges with NBC, will it be able to accept this series of judgments from Universal?"
"This? It's simple." Although the old man heard the eagerness in Roland's words, he who took the initiative did not give an answer directly, but said calmly, "Because of Vivendi!"
"Vivendi?"
Roland raised his eyebrows and asked suspiciously: "Don't tell me, the basis of your judgment is Vivendi's company territory?"
Vivendi is a French company. For the United States, it is a foreign company.
However, according to the U.S. Telecommunications Act, only companies whose chairman is a national of the country and whose business territory is local can participate in broadcasting and television networks that promote current affairs. Therefore, when Time Warner acquired Turner Broadcasting Network, Disney acquired ABC, Fox owns FOX, and after Paramount was bought by Viacom, if Universal and MGM want to replicate this model, they must be controlled by their own companies in the United States.
In other words, if Vivendi wants to make Universal continue to grow, it can only sell Universal in its hands, because once they imitate Time Warner, Disney, Fox, and Viacom to set foot in American local media, then the US Congress will The Ministry of Justice can be asked to start an investigation of Vivendi immediately on the grounds that foreign forces are suspected of manipulating domestic public opinion.
And this situation—
Isn’t it similar to Sony’s upcoming trial?
Since there are lessons learned from the past, Vivendi will naturally not rush into it!
In this way, selling Universal is their only choice!
"Yes, this is the basis for my judgment!"
The old man nodded and said very naturally: "As Vivendi will definitely sell Universal, GM, which also only owns media but no production company, is bound to annex it.
Because for GM, the acquisition of Universal means that they can instantly own a media group like Time Warner + Turner Broadcasting Network, Disney + Metropolis, and most importantly, this group is still completely controlled by them.
Therefore, it became our only choice to get NBC before Vivendi sold Universal.
Because of this, I must show the value of DreamWorks to Microsoft and GM as soon as possible, because now they have very few options, only DreamWorks and MGM, but after Universal enters the market...
Which one has a better chance of choosing one of the three or choosing one of the two? "
However, such affirmative words did not earn Roland's trust, "Don't talk! Even if Vivendi knows that the Universal in his hands has no chance of growing, then you can't guarantee that they will sell! Because even if they can't become a media giant , the existence of Universal also means that they have an ideological outlet!"
Yes!
In Roland's view, it is too childish to make a judgment that Vivendi will sell just based on the nature of a company!
If there is no financial crisis, he does not believe that Vivendi will sell Universal.
After all, more than ten years later, the national father-in-law who emptied out all overseas real estate projects is relentless in his pursuit of Legendary Films!
And as Universal, which is even better than Legendary Pictures, it is the favorite of all media companies!
Unless it is absolutely necessary, no one will sell it!
While Roland retorted, he also heaved a sigh of relief secretly.
Because, in his eyes, the current old man is a radical who has been dazzled by victory. All judgments are based on the perspective of maximizing his own interests, not focusing on the present, let alone keeping his feet on reality.
So, old man...
is still an ordinary person.
But while he was shaking his head in denial, the old man laughed again after listening to the analysis, "Roland."
"what?"
"That makes sense."
"Tch! Obviously you are crazy!"
"Am I crazy? No, no, no... I'm not crazy..." Seeing that Gua Wazi in front of him was always awake, the old man stopped hiding, but threw out the core of the problem, saying: "Actually, The key factor supporting my decision to merge DreamWorks with Universal is related to the nature of Vivendi's company, but it is more related to their financial situation..."
"What?" As soon as the words came out, Roland, who had just relaxed, frowned again, "What do you mean?"
"Did I just tell you that in order to show my strength to GM and Microsoft, I am going to vigorously develop DreamWorks' TV business? And I have already chosen a science fiction theme called "Hijacking"?"
The old man didn't answer Roland's question immediately, but instead helped Roland recall what he said just now.
"Yes, what's wrong?" Roland thought about it for a while, and nodded with certainty.
"What's the matter? That's the problem!" The old man smiled and said, ""Hijacking" is a sci-fi TV series, so we are going to put it on the Sci-Fi Channel (Sci-Fi Channel), but when we When some people were discussing cooperation with the Science Fiction Channel, they suddenly learned that they could not set a price for the time being. After my inquiry, their boss told me that Vivendi was negotiating an acquisition with them and wanted to buy this narrative broadcasting channel.
According to common sense, the acquisition of such a small channel by an international giant is actually a matter of a few words.
But now, they have a great disagreement on the price. The boss of Science Fiction Channel hopes to leave the market with cash, but Vivendi said that it can only be acquired in the form of stock + convertible bonds.
And this deal is only less than 300 million..."
The old man blinked at Roland, pulled out a stack of documents from the briefcase he was carrying, and pushed them in front of him.
"Since Vivendi changed its name in 1998, it has carried out dozens of mergers and acquisitions with a single amount exceeding one billion yuan.
Including the French communication company Havas, the Moroccan telecommunications company Morocco Telecom, the Spanish publishing house Anaya Group, and the Dutch TV company NetHold, and opened several TV signals in large quantities in Europe.
In addition, they also led the merger between themselves and Industrial EMI, annexed Canal Channel, and acquired Seagram Liquor. Houghton-Harcourt Publishing Group... After my research, the total value of these transactions is over 40 billion.
From 1998 to 2001, they spent 40 billion in four years.
But their annual operating income is only about 10 billion...
What do you mean by this?
Which means they have more money than Microsoft!
But this is an impossible thing!
Even while acquiring these companies, Vivendi directly sold its real estate department and construction department to VinciSA to relieve financial pressure, and sold its trade and medical publishing departments to Cinven in exchange for more funds, but the money, It simply cannot support their global strategy of buying, buying, buying!
Do you know what I mean? "
"Vivendi's financial problems?" When Roland saw the shocking lines of scarlet letters on the information that the old man pushed to him, he instantly understood that this guy wasn't hotheaded at all.
Why does an old man who has no memory of his previous life think he can buy Universal?
These investigation reports are the source of his confidence!
If Roland can catch the current wind only with his memory and make himself the tallest pig flying, then those guys around who have no memory but are successful rely on their keen sense of smell!
No memory to hang?
It doesn't matter!
As long as I'm sharp enough, I'll be cheating all the time!
"Yes! I asked **** to audit, and they, like me, suspect that Vivendi's financials may be fraudulent."
After realizing that Roland understood, the old man also showed a bit of complacency on his face, "When their own funds are simply not enough to support them to acquire so many companies, thunderstorms are an obvious thing.
And wait for them to sell their assets to save their lives after a thunderstorm, isn't it their only chance to exchange for life?
In this case, Universal, which will never be able to develop, will definitely be on their sell list!
Of course…
Even if all of these guesses are wrong, it doesn't matter.
Because if Vivendi is really okay, it is a good thing for us.
Vivendi is fine, which means that they cannot sell Universal in a short period of time, and if they don’t sell Universal in a short period of time, then on NBC’s side, who else can compete with our DreamWorks?
Huh (↗↘↗)? "
When the old man used his nose to speak and explained his thoughts clearly in a cheerful tone, Roland, opposite him, looked surprised, because he saw the old man's business talent for the first time!
Regardless of whether Vivendi is beneficial or not, as long as DreamWorks strives to develop the TV business, it will be DreamWorks' blood money in the end?
This, this, this...
In order to dismantle Sony, he, Roland, worked hard for three or four years, thinking of pulling Microsoft into the arena, and at the same time thinking of dragging the small bushes. He split eight pieces of a cake, and finally got a good quality cake. Sony Music Entertainment is not good, not only that, but also Arnold Schwarzenegger put on the issue of "Terminator 3"!
And what about the old man?
What did you do!
Just hold the thigh of Microsoft!
can swallow Sony Pictures Entertainment!
More chance to merge with NBC!
And there is a possibility of eating the world!
This gap is too big!
To say that you are not envious is to lie!
"How is it? Are you excited?" After drinking two sips of water and moistening his throat, the old man bewitched again: "You are now a shareholder of DreamWorks, and you are already in the bureau, so whether you will benefit from it or not, It's all in your mind.
Of course, you can't do it for nothing.
If you support me, then when all this is successful, your World of Warcraft film and television will also be able to pick up a global distribution channel for free.
Because... Universal Pictures also has channels! "
That's right!
Universal Pictures' global distribution channel is the old man's biggest bargaining chip!
After swallowing Sony Pictures Entertainment, DreamWorks will hold 50% of the equity of Sony, Amblin and Warcraft Film and Television Global Distribution Company, and Amblin and Warcraft Film and Television will each hold 25%. In the case of factory shareholders, DreamWorks actually has a complete global distribution channel!
And if the merger with NBC is successful, and then Universal Pictures is eaten when Vivendi's financial storm is thundering, then Roland can use his 25% of the shares in exchange for the joint venture between Universal and Paramount. 50% of the shares of International Pictures!
Although the exchange of 50% for 25% seems to be a loss for DreamWorks, but it is useless for DreamWorks, which already has Sony’s global distribution channels, to unite with the shares of International Pictures!
Exchange the useless fifty percent for Roland's twenty-five percent...
That can also contribute to the integrity of the company!
What about Roland?
From a quarter of the right to speak to half of the right to speak, no matter how you calculate it, it is a profit!
Hearing this, Roland understood that the old man didn't come to discuss business with him at all.
Because he was sure that Roland would end!
It was as if Roland had figured out that this guy would come to share the cake after he found out that Sony could be split up!
This kind of self-confidence stems from familiarity with capital, and even more familiarity with people!
In this case, Roland could only wave his hands and said, "Okay, okay, okay, I understand, you didn't come to persuade me at all, but to force me into the water!"
Such words made the old man happy.
"Hey, don't speak so harshly! What do you mean pulling you into the water? This is obviously a good thing, let's share it together!"
"Share? Don't be joking!" Roland gave the old man a hard look, and said, "When you have something to share, that's called sharing. But now? Can you point me in a direction and tell me where?" If there is something, let me grab it with you!
This nature is different, right!
The former is a good citizen who abides by the law, but the latter..."
However, before Roland finished speaking, the old man interrupted his words, and said with a half-smile: "Isn't the latter a good citizen who abides by the law? Don't forget, Steve is in In front of the group, hang the pirate flag!"
"..." Such words almost choked Roland to death.
The act of hanging a pirate flag at the door of Apple is something the world loves to talk about.
Although they have repeatedly stated that this is to prove that Apple has an island-like adventurous spirit, but the slogan of being a pirate rather than a navy has already sold everything, and Bill Gates praised this spirit...
You can grab it, so why do it yourself?
"Well, you're quite right." Roland shrugged.
Looking like this made the old man extremely happy, "Then what do you mean?"
"Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..." Roland nodded, indicating to join.
At the same time, he suddenly felt that this world is so magical.
At the beginning, when he founded Warcraft Film and Television, he only thought about acquiring Pixar, Lucas and Marvel, which made Disney uncomfortable.
But now?
He just slashed at Marvel, before touching the **** of Pixar and Lucas, Sony has already entered the countdown to delisting, Universal has entered the sight of DreamWorks, and MGM...
Has been 'died' countless times.
So far, Disney doesn't know what's going on outside, but its three old friends are already belching farts.
this…
It's outrageous!
But even if it's outrageous, Roland wants to do it, because dead friends don't die poor people!
"But in this case, do you have enough money?"
"Money? No one in this world would say that money is enough, right?"
"That's right!" Roland nodded and said, "After the acquisition of Sony Entertainment, the value of DreamWorks will soar to about four billion, and your 24% of the shares is equivalent to one billion, but If you continue to acquire NBC, which has a valuation of 15 billion, your shares will be diluted to a little over 5% without capital injection, and Microsoft, which takes out 15 billion, will become the largest That is to say, even if you really spend billions to acquire Universal in the end, your shares can only be around 3%. And does this really meet your goal?
Even if you get back all the copyrights, in the end, it may be that Microsoft has grown stronger. "
When Roland said this, the old man's face was also full of emotion.
"If you want to grow bigger through annexation, unless you have a lot of financial support, there will definitely be a situation where the shares will be diluted. This is unavoidable, so... for the sake of development, you can't cling to this.
What's more, I'm actually prepared. I've already thought about it. After the acquisition of Sony Pictures Entertainment, I will sell back the 25% shares held by Amblin in Sony, Amblin and Warcraft Pictures. The asking price is 200 million, and it will be offset by a share conversion. In this way, my shareholding in the company will reach 28%.
Not only that, but you got a question wrong.
I have always said before that DreamWorks and NBC merged, not DreamWorks acquired NBC.
The reason why I want to show the value of DreamWorks to Microsoft and GM is because I don’t want Microsoft to dominate DreamWorks’ acquisition of NBC, but I want GM to continue to retain a certain share to promote the merger of DreamWorks and NBC.
In this way, even if my shares are diluted, that part of the shares will not be held by Microsoft, but will continue to remain in the hands of GM, which is equivalent to the largest shareholder GM, the second shareholder Paul Allen, the third shareholder Me, four or five shareholders, you and Jeffrey, let the company have corresponding checks and balances, and I can also become the chairman smoothly.
In addition, I have also thought about it, if DreamWorks really has a chance to annex Universal and let me get back my film copyright, I will definitely bring DreamWorks Animation back into DreamWorks. At that time, this Companies worth billions will continue to expand my shareholding, and as long as it can be guaranteed to be around 5% to 8%, I am very satisfied.
Of course, taking a step back, even if it is really diluted to 3% in the end, it doesn't matter, because you don't also have shares in your hand? For you, isn't it reasonable to pursue investment insurance shares?
After all, isn’t the reason why your Warcraft film and television didn’t develop at the beginning because you couldn’t see the hope of becoming a top giant?
And now, hope is in sight! "
I have to say that the old man's words are still very contagious, because at a certain moment, Roland really felt that if all this is done, it will be a very fulfilling thing.
Those veteran film companies have died or injured, and the pattern of the whole circle has completely changed. This kind of randomness of turning hands into clouds and rain can really make people feel comfortable physically and mentally.
But alas—
Even if DreamWorks becomes the top three in Hollywood, so what?
What he likes has always been Disney!
And in the case of Disney's horoscope, did you start DreamWorks first?
this…
Roland didn't know what to say.
But he knew that the old man's plan was fine, "That means, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", you are not going to shoot?"
"No more shooting, I really don't have time."
"To watch "Hijacking"?"
"Of course, we want to show GM the production level of our TV series..."
"But don't you think the TV series "Hijacking" is a bit too niche?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean, "Hijacking" is just a sci-fi movie, and sci-fi movies are a very niche category in TV dramas. Since you want to show your TV drama production level to GM, you can't use this NBC may not even be able to convince them with a niche TV series, because it will be easy for them to refute."
The old man understood, but it was precisely because he understood that a wry smile clung to his face.
"I also know this problem, but TV series like "Story in the Emergency Room" are rare."
Such words made Roland grin his mouth, "What if I say, I have? Will you continue to shoot "Harry Potter"?"
"You have?" The old man was taken aback by this statement, but after a while, he laughed, "Don't be kidding, okay? You have never done a TV series, how can you have the same story as "The Story of the Emergency Room?" "Comparable book?
Moreover, TV dramas and movies are completely two concepts. The former is to modify the content of the script anytime and anywhere according to the audience's reputation, while the latter is a one-time creation, so...
Just the operation is different, and we can't look at TV dramas with the same eyes as movies. "
Although the old man didn't believe it, Roland was not angry, but continued: "Really? But I don't think so.
In my opinion, the so-called TV series is to bring stories of interest to the public to the screen.
This story can be coherent or divided, and there are many points that attract the audience, which can be touching emotions, nonsensical jokes, vulgar jokes, or novelty that people have never seen before..."
When Roland said this, the old man who thought Roland was joking narrowed his eyes.
In this situation, Roland pursed his lips, got up, walked to the computer desk in the study, and turned on the host.
Turn on the phone, surf the Internet, and find IMDb through Google. When an old man with gray hair appeared on the screen with his arms around him, Roland moved away and invited the old man to come to taste, "In the past few decades, people have watched I am used to medical dramas, inspirational dramas, comedies, crime dramas and other dramas, but the only thing missing is political dramas...
In addition to last year, didn’t the lawsuit between Bush and Gore go to the Supreme Court?
So after you mentioned the TV series, this British TV series appeared in my mind.
The party whip played by Ian Richardson has finally reached the pinnacle through various political means, and we can also film a story about a party whip of a certain party going to the presidency through political struggles accordingly.
And the name of the play does not need to be changed.
What do you think?
Steven? "
When Roland leaned against the table with a half-smile, watching the old man look at the contents of the computer with a look of surprise, he embraced him with his hands and licked his lips. In his opinion, he had never heard of that "Hijacking" is definitely a blockbuster, and want to use the work to attract GM? Then of course you have to take out the bomb!
And in his hand, there happened to be such a bomb—
"House of Cards".
‘Thank you wife! '
Note: ① In reality, Vivendi did acquire 'US Network' and 'Sci-FiChannel' in 2001, and then...their financial statements exploded. Of course, this transaction is not Vivendi The root of the financial explosion, but it was the last straw that crushed them, although later Vivendi repeatedly stated that the crazy expansion was the chairman Messier (sentenced in 2010, embezzling public funds and falsifying financial reports) But in fact, how can a chairman decide on an acquisition of nearly 40 billion yuan and a loss of nearly 25 billion yuan? ②When Steven Spielberg returns to the Science Fiction Channel, it is the same as returning home, because this channel was previously owned by Universal, and it was sold to IAC by Seagram’s second generation ancestor in 1998. Then, in order to ensure integrity, Vivan Di Ling bought it back in one year. Don't be too familiar with the chairman and president of the channel and the old man who started the TV series. When DreamWorks TV was established, he also poached a lot of people from here.
Ps, if you say that House of Cards is useful, it will definitely be useful...
(end of this chapter)