Hollywood Hunter

After staying in Melbourne for one night, Simon and his team returned to Los Angeles, and also brought back the Batman heroes and actresses Adam Baldwin and Valerie Galino."Batman" will start shooting early next year. In the remaining months of this year, the film will also be selected for various supporting roles. The audition and rehearsal work will also need to be carried out in Los Angeles, which requires the cooperation of the two protagonists.

Simon and others boarded the return flight on the morning of September 14, Melbourne time.

One day in advance, in North America, NBC TV's "Survivor" was also broadcast at 8 o'clock on the evening of Monday, September 12, local time, and preliminary ratings were obtained on the afternoon of September 13, Melbourne time.

new York.

Although he was also very concerned about the ratings data of "Survivor", Robert Iger felt very surprised when the phone rang at more than one in the morning.

NBC TV CEO Robert White called him personally, with a variety of complex and inexplicable emotions such as excitement and excitement, after introducing the preliminary statistics of the "Survivor" to pack up the data, and hope that the two will have a breakfast at breakfast Meet to discuss the production of the second season of the series.

At the same time, Amy Pascal of the West Coast also got the premiere viewing data of "Survivor" at midnight, and Simon, who is far away in Australia, was quickly notified.

Early in the morning on September 13th, North America time, NBC can't wait to publish the "Survivor" ratings data on the mainstream media such as the "New York Times" and "Los Angeles Times", and it is commonly used by major newspapers. Titles such as'level'.

Why do you say'again'?

Obviously, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" has already created a phenomenal rating. The survivor ratings data performance seems to be stronger than "Who Will Be a Millionaire".

After more detailed statistics, only the first issue, the number of viewers of "Survivor" started to soar from the initial 17.8 million to 22.65 million, and the final average number of viewers reached 20.95 million, far exceeding NBC's expectations before the broadcast. Of about 15 million viewers.

Anyone in the industry knows very well that a TV program with 10 million viewers and a TV program with 20 million viewers already have a big difference in nature. The two are completely quantitative to qualitative.

Moreover, although the first issue of "Survivor" failed to surpass the previous day's "Who Will Be a Millionaire" in the total number of viewers, but in the core audience group of 18 to 49 years old, "Survivor" unexpectedly Did it.

In Sunday's "Who Will Be a Millionaire", the number of viewers is 23.7 million, and the core group ratings of 18 to 49 years old are 11.1.In comparison, although the total number of viewers of "Survivor" is only 20.95 million, the core audience ratings of 18 to 49 years old unexpectedly reached 11.5, which means that in the audience group of 18 to 49 years old, "Who will become The first issue of "Millionaire" has 13.3 million viewers, while "Survivor" has 13.8 million viewers.

Although the gap is only about 500,000, but no one can ignore that "Who will become a millionaire" has tried its best to accumulate popularity for several months during the summer, but "Survivor" is only the first broadcast, even in publicity. NBC is not as spared as ABC, which has already paid heavily for this reality show.

Therefore, the first episode of the premiere surpassed the original "Who Will Be a Millionaire", and the overall viewing status of "Survivor" is destined to be even better.

Now, the only regret of the NBC TV network is that there are only 13 issues in the "Survivor" season.

Moreover, in order to reduce the risk as much as possible, NBC just signed the first season contract with Daenerys Entertainment.'

According to the current broadcast frequency, the first season will be broadcast before the winter break. NBC wants to ensure that the second season of the spring season after the winter break will start smoothly. Obviously, it will also have to face ABC TV network before to Dani Liz Entertainment's dilemma of paying high prices.

NBC was very anxious, but Robert Iger seemed more cautious. In his career, he has never encountered two consecutive phenomenal TV shows.In the morning with Robert White, CEO of NBC Television, he had a boarding flight to the West Coast.

The next specific cooperation plan obviously needs Simon who will return from Australia to make a final decision.

After discussions in an internal emergency meeting, NBC Television CEO Robert White also set off for Los Angeles.

Due to the time difference of up to 18 hours, Simon and his team took off at 10 am on September 14th, Melbourne time, and experienced a 16-hour flight. It was only 8 am on September 14th when they arrived in Los Angeles.

Although he didn't want to be too impatient, Robert White and several senior executives of Daenerys Entertainment felt that Los Angeles International Airport personally picked up.

Simon had planned to take a rest in the morning with Malibu and watch the crowd gather. He had to temporarily change his plan and sent Janet back. He and Amy, Iger and White and others rushed to Daenerys Entertainment in St. Monica's headquarters.

In the conference room of Daenerys Entertainment headquarters.

Everyone was seated, and Robert White came straight to the point: "Simon, I communicated with the parent company yesterday. NBC hopes to be able to sign the "survivor" contract for the next three seasons at once. As for the cooperation price, we can give "Who will become" "Millionaire" is also quoted at $2 million per issue."

Simon took a cup of hot coffee that Jennifer passed from behind, took a sip, and cheered: "Bob, the ratings of "Survivor" are stronger than "Who Will Be a Millionaire", you Do you think the same offer is appropriate?"

"This is only the first season, Simon," Robert White shook his head. "No one can guarantee that this reality show will be so popular in the following seasons. According to the usual TV program viewing curve, it will be in the following seasons. The ratings data has definitely come down, so in this way, we made a quote of 2 million US dollars, and took some risks."

Simon noticed Robert White's words after he dropped his voice and smiled at him.

Robert Iger directly rebutted Robert White: "Bob, the usual hit series, the long-term viewing data should be a parabola, not the decline curve you said. As the popularity further increases, in the next few seasons, "Survivor" is even higher ratings data."

Robert White had forgotten Robert Iger's origin for a time, but he was not pierced on the spot, and he did not show much embarrassment on his face. He said again: "Simon, compared to the cost of Daenerys Entertainment for "Survivor." Said that $2 million is already a very high price tag."

"In Hollywood, the investment cost and rate of return of film and television works are not directly proportional in most cases," Simon shook his head and said, "So, the $2 million phase one will definitely not work."

"If it is higher, the NBC network can no longer bear the risks," said Robert White. "Simon, we are different from ABC. In recent years, NBC's business has been very good, even after losing "Survival" "", NBC will not be affected too much."

Simon smiled and said, "Bob, if you continue to treat me as a layman, there is no need to continue today's meeting."

The competition of the four major TV networks has always been very fierce. If you stand still, it means retreating.

NBC's current operating status may surpass the other three rankings first, but if you lose "Survivor", CBS and FOX will not say for the time being, with the popular popularity brought by "Who will become a millionaire", ABC can definitely surpass NBC quickly. Won the first share of TV network ratings.

Therefore, NBC did not dare to give up "Survivor".

"Okay, Simon," Robert White clapped helplessly, saying: "So, how much do you think is appropriate for each issue?"

"In the next few seasons, Daenerys Entertainment can actively increase the length of some episodes, and each season will be about 15 episodes. If NBC wants to win the next three seasons at once, I can give you a package price, 5000 per season Tens of thousands of dollars, $150 million in the third quarter."

Robert White was startled and blurted out: "This is impossible."

Just kidding.

According to the NBC, Daenerys Entertainment’s production budget for the first season of "Survivor" is only about US$5 million, and US$50 million in the first quarter, including Daenerys Entertainment’s reserved internal advertising rights and Syndicate distribution. With powers such as reauthorization, Daenerys Entertainment will be able to earn at least 10 times the net profit, which is simply huge profits.

"Let's calculate," Simon relaxed his tone and said: "According to the ratings data of the first issue, in the next few seasons, "Survivor" may reach the peak of an average of 30 million viewers per issue. This is already some second-tier awards ceremony. As far as I know, the Grammy rating at the beginning of the year was about 30 million, and their 30-second advertising fee reached $300,000. In this way, the 15-minute interim advertising time of "Survivor", You can get back 9 million dollars. By comparison, Daenerys Entertainment only got about 3 million dollars."

"But have you calculated the cost?" Robert White retorted: "Simon, the operating cost of the television network is very high."

Simon simply interrupted Robert White's bullshit and said: "Bob, if you say the cost, the cost of Hollywood is actually higher. Over the past few decades, the films produced by major studios have basically been loss-making, and never Profitable."

Hearing Simon say this, Amy and Iger couldn't help but chuckle.

Studio movies have never been profitable, which is naturally a joke, but it is also a well-known established fact joke.

In order to avoid taxes and fees and the union's share of share, most film projects in Hollywood's major studios are indeed loss-making. Even if they are barely'profitable', the amount is often insignificant.

In comparison, the operation of the four major TV networks is more opaque in order to avoid similar expenditures.

Therefore, Robert White said that the operating cost of the TV network is very high, which is indeed true.But Simon knew that in the previous fiscal year, the net profit of the NBC television network reached more than 380 million US dollars, which far exceeded several competitors such as ABC, CBS and FOX.

Now, if you can ensure that "Survivor" will pay a high fee, the benefits of NBC are also obvious. He can keep his TV network's number one viewing position, and he has no fear of ABC's hot pursuit.On the contrary, if there is no "Survivor", perhaps just after this autumn file, ABC can overtake it.

The TV network also has a Matthew effect that the stronger is stronger, unable to make a fortune while spreading advertisements on the four major TV networks at the same time, advertisers usually prefer the one with the highest market share.

Therefore, once overtaken by ABC, NBC would be even more difficult to catch up.Although it will not fall into a loss at once, but by ABC, NBC's profitability will definitely decline rapidly.In comparison, ABC, which was still losing money last year, was able to quickly make a profit with the viewership market share brought by Who Will Become a Millionaire.

Robert White continued to fight for a few words. Simon insisted on not making concessions. He had to temporarily stop the meeting and said he wanted to go out and make a phone call.

Simon knew that Robert White wanted to report to Jack Welch, chairman of the parent company General Electric, and let Jennifer personally lead each other to an office next door.

GE's volume is far from reaching the 500 billion dollar level of the peak of the Internet bubble ten years later. Although it gradually recovered from last year's stock market disaster, GE's market value is currently less than 50 billion US dollars.Two years ago, General Electric acquired MCA, the parent company of NBC TV Network, but it cost US$6.5 billion, more than one-tenth of General Electric’s current volume. Therefore, the media business is also directly directed to General Electric Chairman Jack Welch. A real stimulus reported.

Simon and Amy and Iger whispered for a while about the company's latest affairs. After ten minutes, Robert White returned again.

"Simon, I just passed through with Jack," Robert White did not hide, saying: "We can accept the $50 million per season quote from Daenerys Entertainment, but Daenerys Entertainment must also promise us a few precondition."

Simon made a please gesture.

Robert White said: "First of all, Daenerys Entertainment must increase its investment in the production of "Survivor". We can all see that many details in the first season are still very rough. This is obviously to save costs, but Since we have set a high price, Daenerys Entertainment is also obliged to do better. In the next three seasons, the production cost of this reality show should not be less than US$10 million per season."

Simon nodded: "This request is very reasonable, I agree."

"Second, in the next three seasons, each season must have at least 16 issues, instead of the 15 issues you just mentioned. At the same time, Daenerys Entertainment must agree that NBC staff should be involved in the production of the show."

Simon simple mental calculations, the 15th and 16th seem to be the same, but this just can reduce the cost of NBC for this reality show to about 3 million US dollars.He and Amy and Iger looked at each other, and when they saw no objections, Simon nodded again: "No problem."