Silicon Valley

Chapter 253 The New Media Giant

Ted Turner's eyebrows moved when he heard the words, and there was a glint in his eyes.

"For $8 billion, TBS Turner is yours!" Ted Turner said.

When Henry heard his offer, he couldn't help laughing loudly: "Mr. Ted Turner, you seem to be talking like a lion, TBS Turner Broadcasting can be worth $8 billion? Hehe, you can go. Go to Time Warner and see if they're willing to buy TBS for $8 billion!"

...

...

At this very moment, an extremely important board meeting is being held at ABC's headquarters in the ABC Building in Times Square, New York. The content of the meeting is the acquisition request sent by Williams Film and Television Media Group!

Clive Grantham, chairman of ABC Broadcasting Corporation, announced solemnly: "Williams Film and Television Media Group proposes to fully acquire ABC Broadcasting Corporation at a price of 50 US dollars per share, with a total capital of 17.5 billion US dollars!"

The major shareholders immediately discussed the matter.

After tens of minutes, after a vote, the majority agreed to sell the company!

Most of the shareholders of ABC Broadcasting Company are investment companies. They invest in ABC Company just to make money. Now that some people are willing to buy the company at a high price, they are naturally willing to sell it!

But, who doesn't want to make a little more money? Didn't Disney always want to buy ABC broadcaster, so let them fight for each other!

Therefore, ABC Broadcasting Company held a press conference and deliberately disclosed the news: "ABC Broadcasting Company received an acquisition request from Williams Film and Television Media Group today. After solemn consideration by the board of directors, ABC Broadcasting Company finally made a decision. Willing to accept negotiations with Williams Film \u0026 Media Group!"

As soon as the news came out, the industry was shocked!

ABC Broadcasting Corporation is one of the three major television networks in the United States. If Williams Film and Television Media Group acquires ABC Broadcasting Corporation, it can immediately be promoted to a media giant!

In fact, there are many companies that have ambitions for ABC Broadcasting and want to acquire it! However, the market value of ABC Broadcasting Corporation is too high, and it is not enough! in. Disney's desire to acquire ABC Broadcasting is the strongest!

But in the 1980s, Disney was tepid until under the leadership of new CEO Michael Eisner. The company has grown rapidly. But even so, Disney's accumulated strength is difficult to swallow ABC broadcaster in one go.

ABC Broadcasting Company has always been Disney's largest partner, and Disney has long regarded ABC Broadcasting Company as its own, so it has accumulated strength. Do everything you can to buy ABC broadcaster! But at this moment, there are other companies that want to acquire ABC Broadcasting Company. How can this not make Disney Company jump in anger? !

After Michael Eisner received the news, he immediately yelled and cursed in the conference room. When he stood up in his chair, he accidentally touched the water glass on the table to the ground. The cup made a loud thud. List countless tiny pieces.

The entire conference room was suddenly silent and silent!

Michael Eisner has been the dictator of Disney since he took office. He is short-tempered and has absolute authority. No one dares to resist him!

"In any case, Disney must acquire ABC Broadcasting Company, immediately notify all major Disney shareholders, and hold a board meeting!!!"

"Mr. Eisner. It's three o'clock in the afternoon, I'm afraid it's too late?"

"Even if it's 12 o'clock in the evening, you have to invite them over for a meeting!!!" Michael Eisner roared at a group of his men, and then walked out of the door of the conference room!

At 11 o'clock in the evening, Disney's main shareholders were assembled, and then the board of directors was convened. At the meeting, Michael Eisner gave a detailed account of Disney's current situation, and then repeatedly emphasized that Disney must acquire ABC Broadcasting Company in order to realize Disney's strategic layout. So as to create the most complete and perfect entertainment media industry ecological chain!

Michael Eisner's words persuaded Disney's major shareholders, and the board of directors unanimously decided to acquire ABC Broadcasting Company!

The next morning, Michael Eisner held a press conference non-stop, announcing that Disney was preparing to launch an acquisition of ABC Broadcasting!

Coincidentally, a reporter photographed TBS Turner's founder, Ted Turner, coming out of Galaxy Films. Although the news had not yet spread, Time Warner Group launched a campaign against TBS Turner Broadcasting the next day. Purchase request!

Ted Turner, as a media tycoon and owner of TBS broadcasting company, is definitely not as simple as a guest at Galaxy Films!

There are various signs that Henry Williams wants to enter the media industry, Ted Turner suddenly appeared at Galaxy Films, and the next day Time Warner announced that it was preparing to acquire TBS Broadcasting Company, which is more patient! ! !

"New York Daily" said: "Williams Film and Television Media Group to buy ABC Broadcasting Company, but Disney joined the competition! TBS Broadcasting founder Ted Turner appeared at Galaxy Films, and Time Warner broadcast to TBS the next day. The company has launched an acquisition. It goes without saying that Henry Williams has a huge appetite this time, and is ready to buy ABC and TBS at the same time! And he has to face formidable opponents like Disney and Time Warner !!! Henry Williams is one against two, we will wait and see if we can beat them!"

"Wall Street Journal": "In terms of financial resources, Disney and Time Warner are not more than half of Henry Williams' combined, and this acquisition is probably no suspense!"

Los Angeles Times: "Henry Williams's entry into the media industry is unstoppable!"

That day, the stock prices of NBC Broadcasting Company and CBS Broadcasting Company fell wildly.

Spokesmen for NBC and CBS claimed: "Once Henry Williams acquires ABC, it will spell disaster for the American television industry!!!"

Henry couldn't help touching his nose when he saw this, what about them? Are you so scary?

...

...

Ted Turner did not negotiate with Henry that day, and after leaving Galaxy Films, he deliberately disclosed the news to Time Warner, which had long wanted to take TBS broadcast company as its own. Therefore, rush to initiate an acquisition request to it.

However, Time Warner is only willing to pay $5.5 billion to acquire TBS broadcaster, and this price is obviously not in line with Ted Turner's ideal price. Ted Turner negotiated with Time Warner for a while. Time Warner eventually made a decision and was willing to raise the purchase price to $6 billion.

For the price, Ted Turner is still not satisfied.

Ted Turner had to talk to Henry again. Now. Ted Turner watched the news and learned that Henry didn't just buy TBS, but ABC! So, he couldn't help but be shocked. at the same time. One thing is also clear: its own TBS broadcaster may not have been the main target of Henry Williams' acquisition, ABC broadcaster was...

As a result, Ted Turner no longer has the same odd-goods mentality he used to be willing to lower the price.

After much thought, Ted Turner finally called Henry and said, "Mr. Williams, $7 billion. I'll sell it to you!!!"

Henry was not surprised at all. Time Warner already owns HBO and many other stations, and its desire for TBS is not as strong as Disney's. Now the market value of TBS Broadcasting Company is only more than 5 billion US dollars, and Time Warner can make 6 billion US dollars, which is a great determination. If you want him to raise the price to buy TBS broadcast company, it feels a bit more than the loss.

"Mr. Turner, I'm willing to pay up to $6.5 billion! You should know that if I buy ABC broadcaster, TBS broadcaster will only be the icing on the cake for me! I can buy it. I can buy it or not. In addition, Time Warner's bid is probably much lower than mine!" Henry said with a faint smile.

"This..." Ted Turner hesitated.

Henry laughed: "Mr. Turner, you'd better make an early decision. Once I acquire ABC Broadcasting Company, I may lower the offer for TBS Broadcasting Company!"

Ted Turner's expression changed when he heard this!

At this time, Henry said again: "Mr. Turner, you continue to think about it, I am waiting for your call!" Henry's voice fell, not waiting for Ted Turner to speak. He hung up the phone.

Ted Turner really felt the impact of the Internet on TBS Broadcasting Company, plus Henry's words, he has made a decision in his heart, that is to get rid of the company as soon as possible!

Ted Turner didn't put the phone down. He listened to the busy tone of "beep beep" in the microphone, and he was already lost in thought. He was wondering whether to agree to Henry Williams' conditions, but for now, he is the highest bidder!

ABC broadcaster competition is far more intense than TBS broadcaster, Michael Eisner is obsessed with buying ABC broadcaster, and Disney even offered $18 billion. Many Disney executives are frequently in contact with Citi, ******** and other US banks!

Disney's major shareholders also publicly issued a statement, expressing their willingness to invest to help Disney win ABC Broadcasting!

That is, Henry is not only facing a Disney company, but the major shareholders behind Disney and its strategic partners!

Disney CEO Michael Eisner made a high-profile appearance in an interview with ABC TV News and threatened: "Disney's acquisition of ABC Broadcasting is imperative! Citibank, ******** Bank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo Bank of the United States. Four banks Already promised to loan Disney!"

The major media can't help but be shocked, Disney seems to have really made a big decision! You know, the loan interest alone has to be close to a billion dollars a year, which is extremely stressful. If after the acquisition of ABC Broadcasting Company, the profit in a year is not more than a billion dollars more than before, it will be a big loss!

Maybe the company will be dragged down because of the loan, and it will fall into a financial crisis!

There are many cases like this that cause companies to go bankrupt because of the high debt ratio...

The team Henry sent to negotiate immediately reacted to the situation with Henry. After listening to Henry, he said lightly: "As much as they pay, we will add 2 billion, just make it happen!"

An extra $2 billion is also "meaning"?

The other end of the phone was suddenly speechless, and it took a long while before he responded.

"Boss, then I'll re-quote to ABC Broadcasting now!"

"Well, let's go!"

For ABC broadcaster, Henry is also a must. As one of the three major television networks, ABC broadcaster covers the United States and has a huge influence. If. If there is no TV network covering the United States, how can it be called a media giant?

Henry's decision to buy ABC was far more important than using it for profit.

In Henry's view, ABC broadcaster is a powerful propaganda weapon that Henry can use to arm himself. Can also be used to attack others! In terms of making money, the combined profit of the entire American TV network can’t compare to the money made by the Nintendo family, and Nintendo is nothing in front of Henry!

Soon, the negotiating team entered into a new round of negotiations with the ABC broadcaster. After the negotiations, out of the ABC building. A group of reporters swarmed. Asked: "Excuse me, how much is Henry Williams going to pay to acquire ABC Broadcasting Company this time?"

"Our boss said it means an increase of 2 billion US dollars!" The negotiating team leader said to reporters indifferently.

When the reporter heard this, he was a little stunned. He couldn't describe Henry Williams' spending so much money! ! !

"What, the other party is actually offering $20 billion?!!" Michael Eisner almost wanted to vomit blood, especially when the other party said "$2 billion is just for meaning", which made Michael Eisner very angry. I can't help thinking sadly that I worked hard and took out loans. I finally added $500 million to Henry's previous offer of $17.5 billion. He even added $2 billion directly to his offer! 2 billion US dollars, do you think it is toilet paper to wipe your butt, but you add so much? ! !

"Eisner, I think we should give up. Henry Williams' financial resources are not comparable to us! According to reliable sources. He made a lot of money during the disintegration of the Soviet Union..."

"Yeah, he's too rich, we can only give up..."

"Eisner, give up ABC Broadcasting Company, we can also look for other targets. Among the three major TV networks, NBC Broadcasting Company's controlling party is General Electric, and it may be impossible for us to buy NBC Broadcasting Company from it. Yes. Then there's only one target left - CBS CBS!!!"

Michael Eisner was silent for a while, and finally sighed, "There is no way, this is the only way..."

The next day, Disney announced that it had withdrawn from the acquisition battle for ABC Broadcasting!

Disney's withdrawal means that Henry's acquisition of ABC Broadcasting is no longer a hindrance. In the following week, the two parties soon signed an acquisition agreement. Williams Film and Television Media Group completed the acquisition plan of ABC Broadcasting Company. As for the acquisition funds, 3 billion US dollars were paid first, and the rest will be in next month. pay off!

And when Ted Turner heard that Disney announced that it was withdrawing from the acquisition, he was in a hurry. He immediately picked up the phone and contacted Henry, saying that even for $6.5 billion, he was willing to sell TBS Broadcasting Company!

Henry smiled and agreed, and then signed a contract with him.

After signing the contract, Ted Turner shook his head and complained: "When you bought ABC broadcaster, you spent a lot of money, but when you bought TBS broadcaster, you had to care about everything, and that's too big a deal. !"

"Hehe, if TBS Broadcasting Company can have the same influence as ABC Broadcasting Company, I am also willing to spend a lot of money on it!" Henry laughed.

Ted Turner shook his head and sighed: "Forget it, TBS Broadcasting Company wants to develop to that level, I don't know how many years it will take..."

When Ted Turner finished speaking, he left.

At this moment, newspapers, TV, and the Internet are already sensational, and the headlines are all about Henry's acquisition of two broadcasting companies.

"The birth of a new American media giant - Williams Film and Television Media Group!"

"Henry Williams was domineering, forced back Time Warner and Disney, and successfully acquired ABC Broadcasting Company and TBS Broadcasting Company!!!"

"..."

There is a lot of heated discussion all over the world, Henry has no time to watch, he is busy integrating the two companies!

These two companies, one belongs to the public station, the other belongs to the cable station, and they have both, which is just right. ABC Broadcasting has always been a shortcoming in the news, while CNN, a subsidiary of TBS Broadcasting, is one of the most famous news channels in the United States. Even the President of the United States said that watching CNN news is faster and more accurate than national intelligence agencies!

CNN TV has reporters all over the world, and is one of the TV stations with the largest number of reporters in the world!

Another well-known cable TV station under the TBS broadcasting company is T~N~T TV station, which broadcasts various sports events around the clock and rebroadcasts other TV stations! It can be said that T~N~T is a good sports station!

However, ESPN, which is owned by ABC Broadcasting Corporation, is the largest and most influential sports TV station in the world. Obviously, the functions of ESPN and T~N~T overlap.

Therefore, Henry changed the T~N~T TV station. First of all, the name was changed to movieTV (movie TV station), which will broadcast movies, TV movies, TV series, etc. around the clock. In the past, the shabby ones could only rebroadcast the repertoires of other TV stations, but now With a rich owner, it is natural to invest in original movies and original TV series! From then on, movieTV will change from a poor TV station to a "tough TV station"! ! !

Henry then split the ABC Broadcasting Company into the ABC Television Division and the ABC Radio Division. All the TV stations under the TBS Broadcasting Corporation were merged into the ABC Television Division for unified management. As for the TBS Broadcasting Corporation, it was an empty shell.

The restructured ABC TV division has about 300 TV channels, mainly ABC TV (public station), ESPN (cable sports station), CNN (cable news station), and movieTV (cable film and television station). Stations can also have sub-channels, such as ABC-2, ESPN-2, CNN-2, movieTV-2, etc.

ABC Radio Division has 4,600 FM radio stations, covering more than 50% of the United States, and the number of people covered is as high as 80%! If Henry wanted Americans to listen to his speech, at least more than 10 million Americans could hear it!

Although the radio station has declined with the development of the times, it still has a power that cannot be underestimated!

After Henry successfully acquired the ABC and TBS broadcast companies, Clinton called to congratulate him not long after, and when he spoke, his tone was more cordial, as if Henry and him were very close friends... Henry knew that Clinton was there again. Please yourself!

"Williams, come to my house for dinner when you have time, and I will let my wife Hilary cook for you herself!"

Damn, does Hillary know how to cook? Henry expressed serious doubts!

"Okay, when I have time, I will definitely go over to try Mrs. Clinton's cooking!!!"

"Haha, good good, welcome!!"

Then, Clinton and Henry talked nonsense for a long time.

"If I am elected President of the United States, I will definitely advocate the development of the Internet information superhighway!"

"The US economy is in a downturn right now, and if I were elected..."

"If I..."

Henry listened to his words, his ears were full of calluses, and he hurriedly said: "Governor Clinton, I very much agree with your governing philosophy, don't worry, the TV station under my name will do its best to help you canvassing votes!"

At this time, Henry vaguely heard Clinton's excited and rapid breathing, and then Clinton stopped bothering Henry and quickly ended the conversation.

(To be continued ~^~)

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like