Chapter 569

Ted Turner had been in charge of CNN for many years, with countless political resources at his disposal. Now that CNN was being outperformed by Fox News, shouldn't they try to hit their competitors in other ways?

Who would've thought Ted Turner wanted NBC to be the vanguard? The old man was truly cunning. Roger Ailes wasn't an easy adversary.

That guy had successfully managed the presidential campaigns for Nixon, Reagan, and the elder Bush. Now, he was a symbol of American conservatism!

On the other side, Donna Langley, the chairwoman of Capet Universal Pictures, was chatting with Amy Pascal, the co-chair of Sony Columbia.

"Surprising that Sony canceled the production plan of Spider-Man 4," Donna Langley said with a smile.

Amy Pascal shrugged, "Because we've decided to reboot and bring Peter Parker back to his high school days. The release is scheduled for 2012. Otherwise, the Spider-Man rights would revert to Marvel!"

Currently, Universal and Sony were collaborating on filming The Green Hornet, and they were in a honeymoon phase.

After all, besides Spider-Man, Sony didn't have much to show without a distribution contract renewal for the 007 sequels with MGM.

"Is Universal interested in the 007 sequels now?" Amy Pascal inquired.

Donna Langley laughed, "Amy, that's globally influential 007; how could Universal not be interested?"

Moreover, the international market's box office revenue of 007 was substantial compared to North America, which MGM considered its home turf.

"Sony and Columbia's previous collaboration on two 007 films have proven the cooperation's correctness," Amy Pascal was confident.

With all the Ian Fleming's novels already adapted, the screenplay stories were all creatively new. Sony Columbia had two successful experiences, and MGM needed results now. Changing partners rashly wouldn't make sense!

"It's not just us, other companies are also interested," Donna Langley had to admit that if she were in MGM's shoes, she'd also prioritize renewing the distribution deal with Sony.

Unless, of course, a company offered something irresistible!

...

Ted Turner, Brian Roberts, Rupert Murdoch, and John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation, were all in attendance at the Four Seasons Hotel party.

"Mr. Murdoch, are you feeling better?" Charles Capet asked, smiling kindly at Rupert Murdoch. Who knew how much evidence of the News of the World hacking scandal Molly Bloom got in London.

Rupert Murdoch smiled back, "Actually, nothing serious," he said as he embraced Charles.

"Hollywood used to be about movies, radio, and TV media," Murdoch said with a smile, "Now it seems everything has gotten more mixed."

"Telecommunications, broadband internet, cable operators, and even streaming services are all part of it," Rupert Murdoch looked at Charles, "What do you think?"

"It cuts both ways. The growth of the internet makes the importance of content more prominent. Whether it's traditional theaters, free TV, or pay-TV, even online or mobile movies," Charles said with a smile, "Hollywood just needs to tightly grasp the content sector. No matter how the future changes, the locomotive effect of film companies won't disappear!"

"Looks like Capet's future is quite clear," Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation primarily focused on TV, had concerns about streaming services.

Capet was different. NBC was crucial, but Capet's production capabilities were strong. Now, they were heavily investing in the Universal Studios Resort, focusing on leveraging IP to create and sell merchandise.

Charles smiled, downed his drink in one gulp, and responded, "Perfecting the film industry chain also requires investing more in our advantageous sectors. NBC has a Latin channel. If News Corporation could let go of some shares of Sky TV and STAR India, Capet would be very interested!"

Rupert Murdoch laughed too. Although News Corp managed Sky TV, News Corp was working hard to increase its stake to fully acquire Sky TV and wouldn't let go. STAR India was News Corp's most profitable TV station in Asia and its crucial asset in India, also not for sale!

"Alright, Charles, let's play golf together sometime. It's getting late, and we old folks can't keep up like you youngsters," Rupert Murdoch really hadn't expected Charles to be eyeing Sky TV. STAR India would have made more sense.

Charles shook his head. The conversation was going well; why did it end abruptly?

Capet Sports Entertainment (CSE) now owned the Premier League giant Arsenal Club. If he could get some shares of Sky TV, it would help in future negotiations for Premier League broadcasting rights.

This year's local Premier League broadcasting rights were worth more than 1.7 billion pounds over three years, much higher than the previous offer led by Sky TV. 

But as a Premier League club operator, he had no chance of managing Sky TV anyway.

Then, Charles called up Britney Spears, intending to leave.

The two drove straight to Britney's estate in Ventura, Thousand Oaks. Britney snuggled up curiously, asking Charles, "Recently, a newspaper said you had conflicts with Rupert Murdoch's son, James. Is it true?"

"Yeah, minor conflicts. I'm on equal footing with Rupert Murdoch. Why would I fuss over a junior?" Charles said as he reached up to caress the girl's chest.

"Hahaha, his son is more than ten years older than you," Britney laughed aloud, then kissed Charles passionately.

Soon, Britney's dress lay discarded while she enjoyed Charles's kisses on her chest as he leaned over her.

*****

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