Chapter 600 Voluntary

Having met too many bad things about charity, no matter the past or present, Eric has no interest in this topic. Tom Murphy also felt Eric's emotions, so he changed other topics and said: "Eric K, I heard that a Jurassic Park sequel is already in the works, are you really not going to continue directing?"

Now that he has become a shareholder of Firefly, a movie project such as "Jurassic Park" that involves billions of dollars in interests has also become the object of Buffett's attention. Hearing an old friend mention this, Buffett also echoed: "Eric, Jurassic Park is such an important project, I think it's better for you to control it yourself in the end. I don't think anyone wants to see the sequel to this film go wrong."

Eric also anticipated that Firefly would bring in other shareholders. However, he did not stubbornly enforce his personal will after the acquisition like Michael Eisner in the original time and space, which eventually led to the profit that was once again falling into a loss again.

Firefly has developed to the present level, and Eric knows that he is definitely not in control of him alone, so it has become crucial to have a good relationship with shareholders and management. Therefore, after hearing the suggestions of the two old men, Eric explained patiently: "I will still serve as the producer of the sequel to "Jurassic Park", and I will also consider very carefully in the selection of directors. Make sure that this project is foolproof. However, for at least the next year, I will focus more on content production. Although I achieved the No. 1 market share in North America last year, I found that in the "Growing" After Troubled. It's been years since there's been a single phenomenal series."

Hear Eric's plan. Tom Murphy nodded understandingly. Said: "I heard that Firefly has withdrawn the copyright of "Friends"?"

"Yes," Eric noticed what Tom Murphy wanted to continue, and continued: "However, the two programs "The X-Files" and "Millionaire" were originally developed and shared by Firefly and Fox. These two programs cannot be taken back."

"It seems that there is another "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". I heard that this TV series has aroused a great response in the teenage community," Buffett interrupted suddenly, shaking his head slightly. With some regret in his expression, he said, "Eric, you are too generous to the Fox Network."

"Because Firefly and Fox were partners at that time," Eric casually said, "However, in addition to "Friends", I have already selected a good TV series, which is currently in production, next You'll be able to see the pilot episode in a month."

"Oh," Tom Murphy became interested. He asked, "What type of TV show is it?"

"A medical drama," Eric said. "It's called "The Emergency Room Story." If you're interested, I'll have someone send you a synopsis tomorrow."

"It's not necessary,

"Tom. Murphy shook his head:" I still look forward to seeing the pilot episode for the first time. "

"No problem, I'll invite you as soon as I'm done, Warren. If you're interested, you can come and see it together."

"If I can find time, I'll come over," Buffett said. "Also, Eric, since you can't get "Millionaire" back, why don't you think about a similar reality show?"

Eric smiled and said: "Already there, Firefly bought a reality show concept from a British program producer last month, called "Survivor", and is currently working on the specific details of the show, and it is expected that the autumn will be available Released at the same time as "Friends" and "ER Story."

Although the famous reality show "Survivor" was not launched on CBS TV until 2000 in the original time and space, it was actually conceived as early as 1994, but it has not been adopted by North American TV networks.

Many viewers find that major TV stations in the United States are always used to remake or buy TV shows that are already in other countries, so they often use this to ridicule Americans for lack of creativity, but this is not the case.

Several major TV networks in the United States usually launch more than 90 hours of TV programs during the day and prime time every week, but the most important and the most valuable of them are only three hours per night (four hours on Sundays). ) a total of 22 hours of prime-time programs per week, because each region of the public television network for daytime programs often has its own program schedule, and the affiliated television stations also arrange program lists according to their own conditions. But every day's prime time, it is the main TV network and its hundreds of sub-TV networks, which means that every program in the prime time must be strictly screened before it can finally be broadcast. Once a TV program is established, it is impossible to broadcast one or two episodes and immediately cut it off because the ratings are too low. Because of contract and other factors, even if the ratings are very high, it will need to play the reserved six episodes before it can be stopped, and Once that happens, the network loses huge advertising dollars for the show's failure. Therefore, it is undoubtedly the most secure way to introduce TV programs that have proven their viewing potential from the same English cultural circle.

When Eric was collecting program ideas, "Survivor" creator Charlie Parsons was pitching his idea to major TV stations in the UK and the US, but all were rejected without exception, Eric found. After getting this idea, let Firefly's TV series production department secretly buy out the creative copyright of this show.

However, the format Charlie Parsons conceived is very crude compared to what Eric remembers, and Eric has recently been letting Firefly's production department continue to refine the project.

Buffett and Tom Murphy listened to Eric briefly talk about the general idea of ​​"Survivor". Buffett just thought the show was very interesting. Tom Murphy, who has worked in the TV industry for decades, saw "Survivor" from it. "Survivor" subverts the traditional concept and is praised again and again.

Eric didn't show too much pride in Tom Murphy's praise, after all. The most important thing in this world is creativity. What's more, the program idea of ​​"Survivor" must have been reviewed by the original production department. Then it was thrown into a corner without incident. The reason why Tom Murphy is like this is more of the halo blessing caused by Eric's personal creation of a series of successful programs. Just like any movie project he is looking at now, it will be valued and competed by Hollywood.

"Warren, Tom, there is one more thing I want to say hello to you in advance," he drank a few sips of champagne and moistened his throat. Eric said to Buffett and Tom Murphy: "I plan to spin off all the newspapers and magazines owned by the company."

When Buffett heard this, he immediately frowned slightly, and Tom Murphy asked, "Eric, why do you do this, these newspapers have been making continuous profits in recent years, I don't see any need Is it necessary to strip it out, and these newspapers can just expand the media influence of Firefly?"

According to the historical process, the Internet boom will enter the outbreak period next year. Although the current paper media still occupies a very important position in the media industry, Eric remembers it clearly. With the rise of the new Internet media, these paper media will soon become the phoenix of fluff. The value has fallen in a straight line. Many traditional paper media groups that were originally in the top 500 in the world were basically unable to escape the fate of their assets shrinking sharply in the early 20th century.

Now when the official paper media is most valuable, Eric will of course take the opportunity to cash out: "Tom, I do not deny the value of these newspapers, but the focus of Firefly's business is not on these, and Firefly will always focus on business in the future. In the film and television business and its derivative industries, so I plan to divest these assets," Eric said, looking at Buffett again: "Warren, I know you have always valued the newspaper business, if Berkshire is interested in If you are interested in these assets, maybe we can find time to talk, and I will give a more reasonable price.”

This is one willing to fight and one willing to suffer. Eric added in his heart that if Buffett finds out that he has been tricked in the future, he will not blame himself.

Berkshire Hathaway owns shares in many newspapers including The Washington Post. Buffett has always maintained a strong investment interest in the newspaper industry because of his childhood newsboy experience.

However, Buffett is very clear that the newspaper assets of the original Metropolis Company can't be won without a billion dollars, but Buffett has his own plans for the more than one billion dollars of funds that have been cashed out from this transaction. , he plans to take all the remaining shares of Berkshire's government employees' insurance company, and Berkshire is unlikely to raise more than a billion dollars to buy these papers in the short term.

Moreover, although Eric's expression was very sincere, Buffett was keenly aware of something strange, which made him also become cautious: "Eric, if you can wait a year, Berkshire doesn't mind taking Download these papers, but now that Berkshire’s money from this acquisition has other uses, I don’t have enough cash yet.”

"It's okay," Eric still looked like a very candid junior: "Firefly's current demand for funds is not that strong, so Berkshire can completely pay for this acquisition with stocks."

The current stock price of Berkshire Hathaway is around $20,000. Although this is already the highest stock price in North America, Eric knows that Berkshire's stock price will continue to rise in the next ten years. At the astonishing price of two hundred thousand dollars, even if these newspapers are sold for one billion dollars at this time, they will be sold for ten billion after more than ten years.

Buffett, who has always been in the business of stock sales and transfers, heard Eric mention this plan, and immediately changed from cautious to vigilant, shaking his head and said: "Eric, Berkshire will not use stock mergers to acquire companies. , maybe you can contact other media groups."

Eric shook his head regretfully: "Well, if Berkshire is willing to take over, you can call me at any time."

"I will," Buffett nodded, then pointed not far away, and said, "Eric, I saw an old friend, sorry."

After Buffett finished speaking, he winked at Tom Murphy, who was hesitant to speak. Tom Murphy swallowed what he wanted to say and walked away with Warren Buffett.

Watching the two old men leave, Eric looked at his watch, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon, he looked around, found Jeffrey's figure, and walked over.

Seeing Eric approaching, a middle-aged man who was talking to Jeffrey raised a glass to Eric and walked away politely.

Jeffrey asked, "Eric, what were you talking to them just now?"

"Something about the production of the show," Eric said. "Jeffrey, today is the birthday of the two little guys. I'm going to East Hampton. Would you like to come too?"

Jeffrey shook his head and refused with a smile: "Unconsciously, the two little guys are one year old. I will ask the secretary to help them pick out two birthday gifts for them, but birthday parties are your young people's business. , I won't go."

Eric said: "Let's go together, Chris and Emily will also go there today, maybe you can talk to them about weddings and things like that."

"The two of them," Jeffrey said with a helpless look on his face, but after thinking about it, he still said, "That's fine."

"I'm going to say hello to Katzenberg and the others. The helicopter should be on the roof by now, you can go there first."

...

In April, East Hampton, Long Island was full of spring, giving people a feeling of vitality. The helicopter slowly landed on the lawn of the seaside manor in East Hampton. Eric helped Jeffrey to get off the plane and explained the pilots. Sentence, the helicopter leaves again.

Joanna and Virginia also greeted a large group of people at this time. When the two women called Eric to talk about the two little guys' first birthday party, they hoped to invite some guests. Eric Ke can also understand the thoughts of the two women. They didn't want the two little guys to remain unknown illegitimate children. Eric never wanted to keep the identities of a pair of children secret, so he agreed.

There were more than a dozen people walking by at this time. In addition to Joanna and Virginia holding the two little guys, Chris and Emily, Eric also saw Elizabeth and Drew, but the two women separated. far. In addition, Eric also saw Virginia's brother Michael Madsen, and a tall woman in her thirties who was beside Michael Madsen, who should be his wife, and Joanna's sister Eva. .Pakula, other people Eric doesn't know very well. (To be continued.)

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