Chapter 559: Expanding the Ace

Next, there's no need to say much about Universal Television. The numerous classic programs Xia Yu has guided have been produced, creating a comprehensive suppression of Wireless Television.

The only program Wireless Television can still struggle with is their flagship show *Happy Tonight* on Fridays, but it has also lost many viewership shares due to Universal Television's collective offensive.

Xia Yu has only one requirement for Universal Television at the moment: continue to dig deep into each program's potential, expand its influence, and solidify it. Work on improving the quality of the programs, enhance the reputation and standards, so that Wireless Television's attempts to copy will be ineffective.

Moreover, Universal Television has a subsidiary, Universal Brokerage Company, which is developing very well, thanks to the advantages of the group.

Chen Shufen has already trained a team of competent agents, assigning them to potential or already popular celebrities, with bodyguards provided by Xia Yu's Shield Security.

Jiuding Media Company is a monopoly giant in the media field, particularly with its entertainment newspaper *Entertainment Daily*. Therefore, Universal Brokerage Company has no shortage of promotional resources. Its celebrities frequently appear on TV and in newspapers and magazines, such as *Fashion Lady* and *Fashion Gentleman*, with stars like Zhang Guorong, Zhou Runfa, Mi Jin, and Yang Panpan always featured in stylish attire, greatly boosting their popularity.

As a result, these celebrities are overwhelmed with commercial advertisements. Naturally, this is partly because many advertisers give face to Jiuding Media Company, as choosing stars from Jiuding Media's brother companies is preferable.

Overall, Universal Brokerage Company, through standardized operations and leveraging group resources, has quickly become the top brokerage company in Hong Kong and is far ahead of the follow-up Shao Brothers Brokerage Company and Golden Harvest Brokerage Company.

After news of Universal Brokerage Company's celebrities' commercial earnings spread, many artists were envious, and many sought to join. Because of this, Chen Shufen's recruitment and signing of new talents has been remarkably easy.

After Huang Xizhao, the next to report was Jiang Zhiqiang. This was his first time officially reporting on the cinema line company's work at the group board meeting.

"Universal Cinema Company has not officially announced its establishment yet. However, out of the twenty cinemas, nineteen have been renovated and are already in operation. Only the largest Tai Ping Theater needs about ten more days to complete the renovations."

"After the renovation, the twenty cinemas will have 16,850 seats in total, with 189 screens across the large, medium, and small halls."

"Currently, we have achieved cinema operation revenue of 9.65 million Hong Kong dollars, with 740,000 Hong Kong dollars from movie peripherals. After deducting copy costs and labor expenses, the net profit is 6.56 million Hong Kong dollars."

"The low revenue is mainly because the cinemas are still in a trial operation phase, and Golden Harvest Films and Shaw Brothers Films are suppressing us. These two film companies do not provide their films for our company's screenings and secretly threaten to block other film companies from cooperating with us."

"Although we have film sources from Galaxy Films, it still seems insufficient, and many screens are irregularly idle."

Finally, Jiang Zhiqiang felt embarrassed by the low revenue and elaborated on the reasons.

The attendees understood and were even surprised by Universal Cinema's net profit margin of over 60%. Xia Yu maintained a smile and did not show any dissatisfaction, which reassured Jiang Zhiqiang slightly.

Then, it was time for Wu Siyuan, the one with the least experience and company strength.

"Dear Chairman, colleagues, Galaxy Films has invested in a total of eight films since its establishment. The company has produced three films itself and distributed eleven films. Thanks to the support of Universal Cinemas, none of the films have incurred losses. With additional external revenue, the company's revenue is 18.68 million Hong Kong dollars, and net profit is 10.25 million Hong Kong dollars."

"...My report is complete!"

Wu Siyuan briefly presented the key data and company status before finishing.

Xia Yu smiled, glanced over the faces of everyone, and then nodded in satisfaction, saying: "Everyone has just introduced their companies' situations. It is clear that everyone has a good understanding of the company's strengths and weaknesses, which is very good!"

"I will now give my views on each company's situation. Pay special attention to those related to your own business and execute accordingly when you return."

"Since we started with Wenhan, let's reverse the order this time."

"Si Yuan, the development of Galaxy Films is good. With the support of Universal Cinemas, even better results can be achieved. Continue collaborating with Universal Brokerage Company and maximize the use of the brokerage company's role. As long as the scripts are refined and the production is excellent, with Universal Cinemas and the entire group as support, it should be impossible to incur losses."

"Additionally, you need to focus on the film distribution field. The overseas market may be more troublesome, but in Hong Kong, Galaxy Films has a huge advantage. Universal Cinemas does not handle distribution, so Galaxy Films is entirely responsible for it. With such a large advantage, you must seize it."

"Understood!"

Wu Siyuan's face lit up with joy, and he responded loudly while glancing at Jiang Zhiqiang who was sitting nearby.

Jiang Zhiqiang smiled kindly at Wu Siyuan and didn't mind that the distribution field was taken by Galaxy Films.

In fact, for film distribution, it is either handled by a specialized distribution company or conducted by the film company itself; cinemas generally do not get involved.

Cinemas generally take more than half of a film's box office share, while distributors typically take between 5%-10%.

Although even a small mosquito is still meat, Universal Cinemas could establish a specialized distribution subsidiary if needed. But since the Chairman said so, he would follow through.

Then, Xia Yu turned to Jiang Zhiqiang and instructed.

"Zhiqiang, Universal Cinemas can be officially announced now. Once Tai Ping Theater is completed, hold a press conference."

"If Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest are blocking us, use the box office share model to break their blockade. For publicity, coordinate with Wenhan and Xizhao. The key is to create a big impact! No need to hold back!"

"Understood!"

Jiang Zhiqiang answered with a beaming smile, eagerly anticipating Shaw Brothers' and Golden Harvest's reactions.

Aren't they trying to use their influence and strength to block us? Then let's directly disrupt their plans and attract all the film studios except for Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers. He doesn't believe that Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers can withstand the entire industry!

Xia Yu thought for a moment and then added instructions to Jiang Zhiqiang: "Zhiqiang, find a way to acquire the four theaters owned by the Lei family. It will strengthen your own strength and weaken Golden Harvest's. I allow you to pay up to 50% more."

"Also, after Universal Cinemas opens, secretly acquire theaters in Southeast Asia. The goal is to create a cinema line comparable to Shaw Brothers'!"

Hearing this, Jiang Zhiqiang was completely excited, his face turning red, and he loudly replied: "Yes, I guarantee to complete the task!"

Wu Siyuan also felt delighted because the stronger Universal Cinemas became, the more benefits it would bring to him and Galaxy Films.

Shaw Brothers' foundation is in Southeast Asia, where they operate over 100 theaters, with a total of more than 200 when including franchises.

If Chairman Xia Yu's instructions are implemented, Universal Cinemas will also become a cinema line with more than 100 theaters. With such a line, if Galaxy Films' movies still incur losses, he would write his name backwards.

Moreover, with such a cinema line, Galaxy Films' film distribution and agency business will also quickly become a trump card!