Chapter 446: Qualifications for Cooperation

In a recent interview with Newsweek, Sumner Redstone, chairman of Viacom, stated, "Running a national broadcast television network isn't as easy as it looks.

The collaboration between Hollywood's movie and television groups is an unstoppable trend. Disney and Time Warner both have years of experience with television networks, while Galaxy is still just entering the TV business!"

In Beverly Hills, Edgar Bronfman Jr., chairman of the Seagram Group, hosted a private party at his villa.

Arthur brought along Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"You actually got Kate to intern at MGM? Is she on board with that?" Catherine Zeta-Jones asked, sitting on Arthur's lap with a skeptical look.

"Just let her get her foot in the door. If a role comes up, she'll be in the game. She still loves acting!"

Arthur said, giving the lady in his lap a playful pat. "I'm gonna grab a drink. There are some executives from movie companies here; you can meet a few."

"Sure," Catherine Zeta-Jones said, planting a kiss on Arthur's cheek!

Since Seagram took over MCA Universal from Panasonic, they began restructuring the management. Now, Edgar Bronfman Jr. was at the helm while former CEO Lew Wasserman awaited retirement.

Meanwhile, they invited CAA chairman Ronald Meyer to take over as MCA Universal's president and COO, replacing Sidney Sheinberg!

"Arthur, congrats! Galaxy's been making quite a splash lately," said Edgar Bronfman Jr., referring to Galaxy's recent acquisition of CBS.

Arthur remained calm. "Not everyone is seeing this acquisition in a favorable light."

Newsweek, a magazine under The Washington Post Company, highlighted that Redstone and the Graham family clearly did not want CBS controlled by a non-Jewish consortium.

"Don't sell yourself short; many investment firms on Wall Street back you, especially with Galaxy's IPO catching a lot of attention!" Edgar Bronfman Jr. smiled, "Who would turn down an opportunity when money is involved?"

"The ticket sales for Apollo 13 have already topped a hundred million in the first three weeks, right?" Arthur noted, noticing the bright smile on his face.

Universal's animated feature, Casper, while not on par with Galaxy's Pixar's Toy Story or Disney's Pocahontas, also raked in $90 million in North America, close to that 100 million mark!

Edgar Bronfman Jr. looked a bit defeated. "Summer performances have been just okay, nothing compared to Galaxy and MGM. Coming up, the most expensive movie ever, Waterworld, is set to hit theaters. A lot of eyes are on that one!"

Waterworld had a production cost of $175 million, and with over $30 million in marketing expenses, its total budget surpassed $200 million.

It's no wonder Universal was feeling the heat; if they didn't pull in $500 million globally, there would be hell to pay.

"This MGM release, GoldenEye, is getting rave reviews, opening with $26 million," Edgar Bronfman Jr. couldn't help but envy Galaxy's success.

Both While You Were Sleeping and Bad Boys had already grossed over $100 million worldwide, and Toy Story led the 3D animated trend, crossing $250 million globally!

Winona Ryder's romantic comedy, My Best Friend's Wedding, also reached $100 million in North America, with overseas numbers matching that.

"The momentum behind Galaxy and MGM is downright intimidating!"

This was also why Galaxy felt secure in pursuing the CBS acquisition.

Viacom was similarly interested in the national broadcast TV scene; Capital Cities/ABC had caught Disney's eye, but their hopes were slim.

General Electric's NBC faced significant difficulties, and of course, Viacom wasn't keen on Galaxy acquiring CBS. With Galaxy's content pouring in, CBS's future could be limitless!

"Arthur, let me introduce you to a Wall Street investment expert," Edgar Bronfman Jr. said as he called over a middle-aged man. "This is Jeffrey Epstein, formerly a partner at Bear Stearns!"

"Good evening, Mr. Smith," Epstein greeted. Jeffrey Epstein owned Epstein Financial, specializing in asset management for the wealthy.

Arthur raised an eyebrow; Jeffrey Epstein, huh?

At just 43, Jeffrey Epstein had made a name for himself on Wall Street, and kept up good relations with Allen Greenspan, chairman of Bear Stearns' executive committee.

He'd also been in cahoots with Edgar Bronfman Sr. for quite some time as one of the Bronfman family's asset management advisors.

Arthur nodded nonchalantly; it was clear he wasn't interested in Jeffrey Epstein.

Once Epstein discreetly left, Edgar Bronfman Jr. chuckled, "Was it because of his past scandals?"

Arthur merely glanced over coolly, "He was fired from Bear Stearns for misconduct. Then he was involved in the Ponzi scheme at Tower Financial. Although the chairman, Steven Hoffenberg, got 20 years in prison, this guy escaped unscathed. But with his track record, what gives him the right to get involved in my California Pacific investment company's business?"

This situation felt like a ticking time bomb, embodying the worst traits of a certain Jewish elite, especially since Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, had a notorious reputation in Britain.

Ghislaine Maxwell's father was Robert Maxwell, former publisher of the Daily Mirror Group, who died a few years back on a yacht.

At this point, the Mirror Group belonged to Galaxy, and the dirt on Robert Maxwell was rampant.

Arthur certainly wasn't going to associate himself with someone like that -- a filthy connection to the Jewish underworld!

Edgar Bronfman Jr. shrugged, "Arthur, he knows Bill Clinton."

Arthur threw up his hands, "The President surely has his own circle."

The Bronfman family stood atop the Jewish community in Canada and had a complex web of connections throughout various industries in the U.S.

Too bad for Arthur that the political landscape in California held significant power, heavily influencing the White House!

"Arthur, we could work together," Edgar Bronfman Jr. reminded him.

Arthur patted his shoulder, "Hollywood's not that cut and dry. Maybe after you've adjusted to the rules of survival here, we can talk!"

Seagram's focus was now on MCA Universal in Hollywood; if they couldn't get through this, what right would they have to discuss a partnership with Arthur?

Once Galaxy acquired CBS, they'd hold the reins to one of the Big Four broadcast networks.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.