Chapter 188: Barry Diller

"Michael, good evening!" Arthur shook hands with Michael Jackson.

"Good evening, Arthur," Michael Jackson had met Arthur Smith at last year's Academy Awards ceremony.

"The album Dangerous released in the second half of last year was great. I heard you're starting a world tour this summer?" Arthur inquired.

Michael Jackson nodded, "Yes, it's called the Dangerous World Tour. It starts in June; the first stop is Germany!"

"I'm sure a lot of fans are looking forward to it," Arthur was somewhat surprised to see Michael Jackson at this kind of event.

Thinking about his eighth album Dangerous and the single Black or White, there were so many metaphors embedded in it.

Racial discrimination, political conflict, the battles between the KKK and the Black Panther Party - Black or White had a significant impact and a strong message.

After chatting with Michael Jackson, Arthur sighed as next year, Michael would face the first child molestation case that would bring him lifelong regret.

Human nature, Michael Jackson's story was truly a tragedy.

However, Arthur was more interested in ATV Music Publishing, the company Michael Jackson purchased in 1985 for $47.5 million, which owned the rights to over 4,000 songs.

This included around 250 Beatles songs and works by artists like Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.

At the time, Paul McCartney, a member of The Beatles and a friend of Michael Jackson, had informed Jackson about this deal, intending to buy back the rights to The Beatles' music, but he lost the bid to Michael Jackson.

Now, Paul McCartney harbored a strong grudge against Michael Jackson!

Later, California Senate candidate Dianne Feinstein gave a speech supporting gun control strategies, which Arthur strongly agreed with.

Although Arthur was confident with his bare hands, he was worried because people loved using guns.

Arthur then made a grand gesture, handing over a $300,000 check to Dianne Feinstein's team!

"Arthur, thank you for your support," this was the largest donation of the night, made by Arthur under the name of Pacific Investment Company of California.

Arthur smiled. Dianne Feinstein was already 59 years old this year, but with her rich political resources and vast governing experience, "Madam, your election will surely bring more benefits to California."

"Hollywood, as a landmark of Southern California, could gain more support from you," he added.

Dianne Feinstein nodded, "The importance of Hollywood goes without saying. I'm planning to attend some TV shows next. Do you have any suggestions, Arthur?"

Arthur thought for a moment, "The African American community is a significant group you can appeal to. I am a shareholder of BET Network. I can help arrange things in this regard," he offered.

"The African-American community?" Dianne Feinstein knew the importance of this demographic, "I will definitely go to BET Network!"

Arthur's suggestion was not without reason. Following last year's Rodney King incident, the four white police officers involved were still under investigation.

If they were acquitted, chaos was expected in Los Angeles. Garnering the African-American community's favor beforehand would be advantageous for Dianne Feinstein.

"Arthur, do you think Dianne Feinstein will win?" Jennifer Connelly asked, holding Arthur's arm.

"No major problems. Besides, it's good to make friends with a seasoned California politician," Arthur needed political connections, anticipating a growing business future he couldn't avoid.

After the banquet, many people left Palm Springs overnight. Arthur planned to stay the night there with Jennifer Connelly.

"Arthur, you seem to really like Michael Jackson?" Back in the room, Jennifer Connelly had noticed Arthur's effort to bid farewell to Michael Jackson earlier.

"Yeah, he's quite a person," Arthur smiled. "In some ways, he's very innocent, and his talent is undeniable. The year before last, he signed the most valuable record deal in history with Sony Music!"

"Oh, Michael Jackson also has a 2,800-acre ranch in Santa Barbara County, California, called Neverland Ranch," Jennifer Connelly mentioned as she lay on Arthur's lap on the sofa.

"Hey, I've heard about that. Michael often invites children to Neverland Ranch for free." Arthur admired that, saying Michael Jackson had a childlike innocence and a love for kids.

Jennifer Connelly reminded him, "By the way, Mrs. Doubtfire will be shot in California for about three weeks and then move to the UK for shooting. Is that confirmed?"

Arthur nodded, "Yes, it's confirmed!"

Arthur only remembered that the Los Angeles riots happened in April, but he wasn't sure about the exact dates.

For safety, no projects were scheduled in California in April. Arthur himself wouldn't stay in Los Angeles; he planned to go to Europe.

The next day, Arthur and Jennifer Connelly returned to Los Angeles. 

...

As the Oscars ceremony approached, the atmosphere in Hollywood became even more intense, with lavish parties and galas every day.

On February 14, 1992, Valentine's Day.

A large number of reporters gathered outside the 20th Century Fox headquarters in Century City. That afternoon, Hollywood mogul Barry Diller officially left 20th Century Fox after seven years in charge. The News Corporation announced Peter Chernin as the new CEO of 20th Century Fox.

In the office at 20th Century Fox headquarters, Rupert Murdoch watched Barry Diller enter a car under security's protection from the building below, his expression unchanged.

"Has Barry Diller joined the home shopping company QVC?" he uttered.

His assistant nodded, "Mr. Diller bought $25 million worth of QVC shares."

"Although he holds less than 3% of shares, he established strong partnerships with companies like Liberty Media and Comcast to gain control of QVC and became the CEO of QVC Group!"

Everyone knew that the primary reason News Corporation brought in Barry Diller was to help form the Fox Broadcasting Company.

"Please leave, and have Joe Roth handle the reception for the new chairman of 20th Century Fox."

Joe Roth had joined 20th Century Fox in 1989 as the president of the Motion Picture Group.

After the assistant left, Rupert Murdoch quietly remarked, "There can only be one voice in News Corporation!"

Barry Diller helped Rupert Murdoch establish the U.S.'s fourth major broadcast television network, FOX, changing the dynamics of ABC, CBS, and NBC.

Rupert Murdoch was willing to give Barry Diller his due reward, but Barry Diller wanted more than he could offer!

"QVC shopping channel?" In Century City, Arthur also watched Barry Diller's lonely back as he left the 20th Century Fox headquarters on TV.

Coming to the window, Arthur looked down at the streets of Century City, wondering about the situation at 20th Century Fox a few streets away.

Barry Diller had a remarkable and successful life, leaving his mark at ABC, Paramount, and 20th Century Fox.

Unfortunately, capital shows no mercy. Upon leaving 20th Century Fox, Barry Diller received his severance pay, with News Corporation spending millions to buy back his stock options!

Meanwhile, at a restaurant in Burbank at the Disney Studios, senior executives Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg were having a meal together.

As Barry Diller's former deputies at Paramount, Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg understood the situation well.

Shortly after Barry Diller left Paramount, Michael Eisner clashed with Martin Davis, chairman of Gulf and Western Industries.

At that time, Disney was in chaos. Roy E. Disney, head of Disney Animation and vice-chairman of the group (nephew of Walt Disney and sole son of Roy O. Disney), was very dissatisfied with the group's CEO, Ron W. Miller (Walt Disney's son-in-law).

Roy E. Disney persuaded the board to bring in an external manager to reform Disney, selecting Michael Eisner.

However, Disney Corp had never before appointed a CEO from outside; all previous CEO promotions were from within the group. Michael Eisner clashed with Martin Davis of Gulf and Western Industries before being approved by Disney's board and was fired.

Finally, Michael Eisner convinced Disney's major shareholder Sid Bass and received support from Roy E. Disney to successfully become Disney's CEO!

Nearly becoming a laughingstock, Michael Eisner, upon taking charge at Disney, immediately persuaded old friend Jeffrey Katzenberg to leave Paramount for Disney to support him.

Under Michael Eisner's leadership, Disney was now rapidly growing!

Michael Eisner looked at Jeffrey Katzenberg on the same table and felt a bit nostalgic.

They had been friends for many years, but now due to internal power struggles, they could only maintain outward harmony.

Michael Eisner suddenly suggested, "Shall we visit Mr. Diller tonight?"

Jeffrey Katzenberg, lifting his shiny bald head and looking over his glasses at Michael Eisner, nodded. "Sure, I bumped into Mr. Diller a while ago, and he seemed prepared to leave 20th Century Fox."

"Maybe leaving 20th Century Fox is a new beginning for him."

"Hopefully so!"

*****

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