Heads Up Hollywood

"The Cannes Film Festival will start in ten days. Can you go?" Natalie's crisp voice was a bit coquettish on the phone.

Tang En said: "It's definitely possible!"

"But you are still banned from leaving the country."

"Maybe tomorrow... the day after tomorrow at the latest, the ban will definitely be lifted. As I said, I will bring you the glory of art."

Natalie chuckled, and snorted softly, "It's as if the Cannes Film Festival is run by your family. You say you can win the prize if you win the prize?"

Tang En laughed and said, "I'm not sure, but I have a 90% chance of winning, right? Besides, your performance in "The Girl Who Moved Soul" was outstanding enough and amazing enough!"

"But I still think Nicole is better."

"You two are just as good!"

"Hmph!" Natalie's voice changed slightly, sour, "You guys still live together now?"

Tang En laughed, "By the way, Nat, do you still remember our agreement? It's in the top 100 of the Forbes list?"

"That doesn't count, you're bullying!" Natalie became anxious, and said angrily, "You did it on purpose, you must have done it on purpose, right? You're playing tricks on me!"

Tang En laughed out loud.

Twain's current assets can easily reach five or six billion US dollars, while in the 1999 global Forbes list, as long as the net worth exceeds 3 billion US dollars, he can enter the top 100.

In 2000, during the financial crisis, the wealth of most rich people shrank severely, and Bill Gates' property shrank by 30 billion US dollars.

With Tang En's current net worth, the financial magazine "Forbes" to be published a month later lists the list of the world's richest people, and Tang En is very likely to squeeze into the top 50.

Tang En smiled wickedly, "Then I don't care. Anyway, we have agreed that as long as I have enough financial strength, you have to give me space in my private life, just like the first lady and the wife of the richest man."

"Twain, you are bullying!" Natalie yelled dissatisfied.

"An agreement is an agreement."

Tang En shook his head triumphantly.

...

On May 5th, the Ministry of Justice finally lifted the investigation on Tang En, and determined that Tang En's transactions in the stock market and futures market in the past three months were legal, and all income was legal income.

At the same time, the asset freeze on Tang En Capital and Tang En Pictures was lifted, and the request for Tang En to be banned from leaving the country was terminated.

A big farce that had been noisy for a full 5 days ended in a mediocre way.

Obviously, Disney and Fox will not let it go. Although Twain did not commit a crime, he took advantage of the Nasdaq stock market crash to rake in billions of dollars. This is always true, right?

Now, the entire investment market is panicking. News of investors committing suicide breaks out every day on Wall Street. Tang En has made a lot of money. Is it the hard-earned money of these people?

If the law does not work, then moral kidnapping!

Tang En was the murderer who indirectly killed those investors who committed suicide!

One wave is not flat, and another wave rises again.

Anyway, ordinary people are not afraid of big things, and always like to watch the excitement and jokes. Such topics are not lacking in attention and attraction.

...

Disney and Fox's continued clamor did not seem to affect the normal operation of Tang En Pictures.

On the second day after the ban was lifted, Tang En Pictures announced a shocking news - Tang En Pictures spent 260 million US dollars, with 170 million US dollars in cash, plus assuming 90 million US dollars in debt, to wholly acquire the The "Freedom Star" TV company, including its Starz TV station and EncoreMoviePlex TV station.

What surprised Hollywood wasn't that Tang En bought this humble company. There are dozens of professional cable TV stations in the United States, and Starz is not top-notch.

Instead, Tang En Pictures officially entered the TV field!

Previously, Tang En Pictures announced that it would cooperate with DreamWorks to film "Band of Brothers". Everyone thought that Tang En Pictures was only infiltrating the content of TV dramas, but they did not expect that they immediately began to deploy in the TV industry.

The "Los Angeles Times" is not optimistic about the acquisition of Tang En Pictures, "Starz TV has 2.1 million subscribers, and its annual revenue is less than 60 million US dollars. Since its establishment, it has been wandering on the verge of loss. Cable TV, especially professional Cable TV stations usually rely on the promotion of public TV stations to form their influence, and Tang En Pictures' strength is weak, so it may be difficult to bring about a qualitative change for Starz TV station."

Manu Clare, a commentator of the "New York Post", believes that "the acquisition of Starz TV station is a wrong decision made by Tang En after a series of public criticisms. He needs to calm down and re-plan the strategic direction of Tang En Pictures. Tang En Films The industry is an emerging film company and needs a stable foundation."

The "Hollywood Reporter" warned Tang En through the lessons of DreamWorks, "DreamWorks was very ambitious when it was first established. It not only had a film department, but also TV, games, Internet, animation, music and many other departments. It turned out that they Investors' money was wasted, and many departments have now been split, sold, or closed. It is a lesson from the past, and I hope Tang En Pictures will not go down the old path of failure."

Tang En Pictures reacted calmly to the many questions from the media, and only held a press conference to announce a major reform of the Starz sister TV station.

TV operator, from Disney to Comcast!

...

Because of the high subscription fees, there are not many users of professional cable TV. Today, the total number of users in the United States is only 30 million.

Even later, when HBO was in full swing and professional cable TV stations became famous, the total number of subscribers in the United States was only 55 million.

For example, HBO spends US$100 on channel subscriptions per year, including the US$25 operating expenses of the operator’s packaged sales. Not every family can afford it.

Especially for some young people who have just left their parents and went out to work and live, their choices are relatively cheap basic cable TV stations such as ESPN and AMC and free public TV stations.

Starz TV station has 2.1 million subscribers, which sounds small, but it already accounts for 7% of all subscribers, which is quite a lot. HBO only has more than 7 million subscribers.

Comcast naturally accepts all the big gifts from Tang En!

2.1 million subscribers, even if some redundant customers are removed, Comcast has added a TV station operated by Starz, and Comcast has added 1.6 million subscribers!

What is this concept?

Two months ago, Comcast acquired the telecom and TV operator Lenfest, adding 1.3 million professional cable subscribers and spending a full $580 million!

On the day Tang En Pictures announced the cooperation with Comcast, Comcast's stock price rose by 1.2 US dollars.

And Tang En, who gave out a big gift package, would naturally get something in return.

"Twain, the publicity of Disney and Fox recently is outrageous!" Brian Roberts, the president of Comcast, personally met Tang En and expressed his gratitude to Tang En.

Tang En sighed, "I can't help it. The media is in their hands. Even if I want to fight back, I'm powerless."

Brian Roberts immediately said: "Disney has ABC, Fox has the Fox TV network, but Comcast has the largest cable network in the United States, we can help you!"

Tang En shook hands with him quickly, with a grateful expression on his face, "Thank you so much. With your help, my ears can finally be clean."

Brian Roberts said with a smile: "It should be, we and Disney are originally competitors."

The corners of Tang En's mouth rose slightly, and he blinked his eyes, "By the way, I heard...the children's channel under Viacom has been greatly impacted by Disney?"

"ah?"

Brian Roberts froze for a moment, unable to keep up with Tang En's thoughts.

Comcast and Viacom are partners, and the cable TV stations under the Viacom Group are all operated by Comcast.

Of course, Brian Roberts knew that Tang En was referring to the Nickelodeon channel, and he was secretly amused.

Rumor has it that this young man will avenge his revenge, but now it seems that it is true!

This kid is so bold that he actually wants to challenge Disney head-on!

But Comcast was not afraid of Disney. Brian Roberts admired Tang En's courage and called his assistant Kevin Hall to ask about Viacom's cable network.

Hearing Tang En's intentions, Kevin Hall quickly expressed his opinion: "That's true. Nickelodeon mainly broadcasts sitcoms, and Disney Channel broadcasts classic cartoons. But in recent years, Disney Channel has obviously become more ambitious and has also launched Instead of a reality show, it's taking Nickelodeon's market away."

As he spoke, he cast a cautious glance at Tang En.

Brian Roberts smiled slightly and waved his hand, "It's okay, Dunn is a friend."

Twain sent 1.6 million subscribers through the Starz TV station. This is a great favor, which is equivalent to tearing face off with Disney. It can only be an ally of Comcast.

What's more, what kind of shady secrets can a small children's channel have?

Kevin Hall said in a deep voice: "I have had some contact with Viacom recently. I heard that they are discussing whether to reorganize the Nickelodeon Channel to deal with Disney's offensive."

The corner of Tang En's mouth raised slightly.

Reshuffling the Nickelodeon Channel?

With the cheapest subscription fee in the United States, competing with Disney for the children's channel market, even if there are more users, what's the use? You earn users, Disney earns money!

Brian Roberts frowned, realizing the seriousness of the matter, "Disney Channel is working hard?"

Kevin Hall's face was solemn, "The children's channel is the main strategic direction of Disney in the next one or two years, and it is very likely... there will be big money coming!"

Brian Roberts' complexion suddenly changed.

Tang En was a little surprised when he heard their cryptic words.

Disney Channel will dominate the children's market, of course Twain knew it with foresight. Unexpectedly, Comcast and Viacom also had some premonitions in advance.

This is the background and strength of a large group company, right?

"Maybe... Tang En Pictures can help a little."

A flash of inspiration flashed in Tang En's mind, and a bold idea suddenly popped up.