Chapter 167: : Hot show planning

In just three days, Hardy crafted over 20 program concepts and outlined creative plans. His dedication to ABC TV was evident, as he aimed to make the network a leading force in the industry.

He convened a meeting with Fox, Irina, and Edward, the general manager of HD Pictures. Hardy informed Edward that HD Films would establish a TV program production department to supply shows for ABC. The scope of this endeavor would require significant manpower, ranging from producers and screenwriters to technical staff and actors.

Hardy's approach was to leverage HD Films as a production base for ABC, mirroring the strategies of future broadcasting giants like Paramount, Warner, Disney, and Universal. He was aware of the impending 1948 Paramount Act, which would mandate the separation of film studios and theater chains, thus reshaping the industry. By avoiding investments in theater chains, Hardy positioned HD Films to adapt swiftly to these changes.

Edward was tasked with recruiting a wide range of talent for the new department. Meanwhile, Hardy presented his program ideas to Fox and Irina.

**News Programming**: Hardy proposed a daily news program, "News Thirty Minutes," to air at regular intervals with fresh content each time. Although Hardy lacked a newspaper division, he envisioned acquiring a major newspaper in the future to ensure a steady flow of reliable news.

**Talk Show**: "The Tonight Show" would feature a fixed host interviewing celebrities from various fields, including Hollywood stars, athletes, politicians, and scientists. Hardy even suggested inviting Einstein as a guest. Irina expressed a strong interest in hosting this show, and after some consideration, Hardy agreed, naming it "Elaine Tonight Show."

**Makeup Show**: "Estee Lauder Makeup Time" would offer women tips on makeup and beauty care. Fox suggested that Estee Lauder pay for advertising, but Hardy revealed that he owned most of the company's shares, though they would still pay the fees.

**Children's Programming**: Hardy's ideas for children included "Barbie Little Devil," where Barbie princesses save the world, and various superhero-themed shows like "Ultraman" and "Kamen Rider." He also suggested educational and entertaining shows like "Teletubbies," "Sesame Street," and puppet-based content.

Fox, Edward, and Irina were impressed with Hardy's creativity and the potential appeal of these programs. Hardy's strategy was not only to attract viewers but also to create programs that were cost-effective to produce.

**Economic Show**: "Talks of Economic Experts" would involve discussions on the stock market, with the potential to influence stock prices based on the show's content. Hardy planned to use this platform to both inform the public and capitalize on market movements through strategic investments.

**Music Television**: Hardy proposed a music show similar to the format of Ava Gardner's performance in "Red Dead Redemption," combining music with visuals to enhance the audience's experience. Edward quickly saw the promotional benefits this could offer to singers and record companies.

**TV Series**: Hardy outlined two TV series ideas, including "There's a Fairy Wife in the House," a comedy about a man dating a magical actress. The show would feature humorous situations where the protagonist unwittingly becomes the target of his girlfriend's magic. Hardy only provided brief story outlines, but the potential for a hit series was evident.

The team was enthusiastic about Hardy's plans and recognized the need to copyright these ideas to protect them from being copied by competitors.

Hardy's vision for ABC was expansive, aiming to fill the station's daily schedule with diverse and engaging content. His innovative ideas and strategic thinking promised to position ABC as a dominant player in the television industry.