After staying in Melbourne for one night, Simon and his party returned to Los Angeles, and also brought back Adam Baldwin and Valerie Golino, the leading actors and actresses of "Batman" who had been here for a while. "Batman"

Shooting will start early next year, and in the remaining months of this year, the film will also need to select various supporting actors, and audition rehearsals and other work will also need to be carried out in Los Angeles, all of which require the cooperation of the two protagonists.

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

One day ahead of schedule, the NBC TV network's "Survivor" in North America also started airing at 8 o'clock in the evening on Monday, September 12, local time, and preliminary ratings data were obtained in the afternoon of September 13, Melbourne time.

New York.

Although he was also very concerned about the ratings data of "Survivor", Robert Iger was still very surprised when the phone rang at about one o'clock in the morning.

NBC Television Network CEO Robert White called him personally, with mixed emotions of surprise and excitement in his tone. After introducing the preliminary statistics of "Survivor", he also hoped that the two of them would have a game over breakfast.

Meeting to discuss the production of the second season of the series.

At the same time, Amy Pascal on the West Coast also received the ratings data for the premiere of "Survivor" at midnight, and Simon in Australia was quickly notified.

Early in the morning on September 13th, North American time, NBC couldn't wait to publish the ratings data of "Survivor" in mainstream media such as "The New York Times" and "Los Angeles Times", and major newspapers generally used it, "another phenomenon"

Titles like 'Level'.

Why do you say ‘again’?

Obviously, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" has created a phenomenal ratings, and the ratings data of "Survivor" seems to be even stronger than that of "Who Will Be a Millionaire".

After more detailed statistics, in just the first episode, the number of viewers of "Survivor" soared 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 there is a huge difference between a TV show with 10 million viewers and a TV show with 20 million viewers. The difference between the two is completely from quantitative change to qualitative change.

Moreover, although the first episode of "Survivor" failed to surpass the previous day's "Who Will Be a Millionaire" in terms of total viewership, among the core audience group of 18 to 49 years old, "Survivor" unexpectedly

Did this.

Sunday's "Who Will Be a Millionaire" had 23.7 million viewers, with a rating of 11.1 among the core group of people aged 18 to 49. In comparison, although "Survivor" had a total viewership of only 20.95 million, the viewership for those aged 18 to 49 was 11.1.

49 years old core

The audience rating unexpectedly reached 11.5, which means that among viewers aged 18 to 49, the first episode of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" had 13.3 million viewers, while "Survivor" had 13.3 million viewers.

Reached 13.8 million.

Although the difference is only about 500,000, no one can ignore that "Who Will Be a Millionaire" has tried its best to accumulate popularity for several months during the summer, but "Survivor" has only premiered, and even in terms of publicity

, NBC is not as sparing as ABC, which has already paid huge sums of money for this reality show.

Therefore, the first episode of the premiere surpassed the original "Who Will Be a Millionaire" with obvious advantages, and the overall ratings of "Survivor" will only be better in the future.

Now, the only regret the NBC network has is that "Survivor" only has 13 episodes a season instead of the 69 episodes of "Who Will Be a Millionaire".

Moreover, in order to reduce risks as much as possible, NBC only signed a contract with Daenerys Entertainment for the first season.’

According to the current broadcast frequency, the first season will be completed before the winter break. NBC wants to ensure that the second season of next spring will start smoothly after the winter break. Obviously, it will also face the same problem that the ABC TV network had to ask Dani before.

Liz Entertainment’s dilemma of paying sky-high prices.

NBC is acting very eagerly, but Robert Iger is becoming more and more cautious. In his career, he has never encountered the situation of producing two phenomenal TV shows in a row. This morning I had a breakfast with NBC Television Network CEO Robert White, who holds shares, and he

I hurriedly boarded a plane to the west coast.

The next specific cooperation plan obviously needs to be decided personally by Simon, who is about to return from Australia.

After discussions at an internal emergency meeting, NBC Television Network CEO Robert White also flew to Los Angeles.

Due to the 18-hour time difference, Simon and his team took off at 10 a.m. Melbourne time on September 14. After a 16-hour flight, it was only 8 a.m. on September 14 when they arrived in Los Angeles.

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

Simon originally planned to rest in Malibu for a whole morning, but seeing everyone gathered together, he had to change his plan temporarily and sent Janet back first. He, Amy, Egg, White and others rushed to Daenerys Entertainment in St.

Monica's headquarters.

Conference room at Daenerys Entertainment Headquarters.

Everyone sat down, and Robert White got straight to the point: "Simon, I communicated with the parent company yesterday. NBC hopes to sign a one-time contract for the next three seasons of "Survivor". As for the price of the cooperation, we can give "Who Will Be"

Millionaire's same offer of $2 million per issue."

Simon took the cup of hot coffee handed over from behind by Jennifer, took a sip, and cheered up: "Bob, the ratings of "Survivor" are stronger than "Who Will Be a Millionaire?"

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 subsequent seasons. According to the usual TV show ratings curve, it will be so popular in subsequent seasons.

The viewership data must have dropped somewhat, so when we made an offer of US$2 million, we also took a certain risk."

Simon noticed the way Robert Egger was hesitant to speak after Robert White finished speaking, and smiled and gestured to him.

Robert Iger directly refuted Robert White: "Bob, usually the long-term ratings data of popular TV series should be a parabola, not the downward curve you mentioned. As the popularity further increases, in the next few seasons,

The ratings for "Survivor" will be even higher."

Robert White forgot Robert Egger's origin for a while, but after being exposed on the spot, he did not show much embarrassment on his face and said again: "Simon, compared to the cost paid by Daenerys Entertainment for "Survivor"

Say, $2 million is already a very high price."

"In Hollywood, the investment cost and return rate of film and television works are not directly proportional in most cases," Simon shook his head and said, "So, US$2 million per period is definitely not feasible."

"If it is higher, the NBC television network can no longer bear the risk," Robert White said: "Simon, we are different from ABC and others. In recent years, NBC's operating conditions have been very good, even after losing "Surviving"

", NBC will not be greatly affected."

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 among the four major TV networks has always been very fierce. If you stand still and stand still, it actually means retreating.

NBC's current business situation may be better than the other three top rankings, but if it loses "Survivor", CBS and FOX will definitely be able to quickly surpass NBC with the popularity of "Who Will Be a Millionaire"?

Winning the number one share of TV network ratings.

Therefore, NBC simply does not dare to give up "Survivor".

"Okay, Simon," Robert White clapped his hands helplessly and said, "So, how much do you think is appropriate for each issue?"

"In the next few seasons, Daenerys Entertainment can take the initiative to 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 of 5,000 per season.

Ten thousand US dollars, US$150 million for three quarters.”

Robert White was startled and blurted out: "This can't be possible."

Just kidding.

According to NBC, the production budget invested by Daenerys Entertainment for the first season of "Survivor" is only about US$5 million, or US$50 million per season, including the internal advertising rights retained by Daenerys Entertainment and syndicated distribution

With rights such as copy licensing, Daenerys Entertainment will be able to obtain at least 10 times more net profit, which is simply a huge profit.

"Let's do some calculations," Simon said in a more relaxed tone: "According to the ratings data of the first episode, in the next few seasons, "Survivor" may reach a peak of 30 million viewers per episode. This is already some second-tier award shows.

ratings, as far as I know, the Grammys at the beginning of the year

The viewership level is about 30 million, and their 30-second advertising fee reaches 300,000 U.S. dollars. In this way, you can recover 9 million U.S. dollars for the 15-minute advertising time in each episode of "Survivor." In comparison, Danielle

Silk Entertainment only received about US$3 million."

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

Simon simply interrupted Robert White's nonsense and said: "Bob, if we talk about costs, the costs in Hollywood are actually higher. In the past few decades, the movies produced by major studios have basically lost money. They have never

Profitable."

Hearing what Simon said, Amy and Egg couldn't help but chuckle.

It's a joke, of course, that studio movies never turn a profit, but it's also a well-known established fact.

In order to avoid taxes and union dues, most of the film projects of Hollywood's major studios indeed make a loss, and even if they barely make a profit, the amount is often negligible.

In comparison, the operating conditions of the four major TV networks are even more opaque in order to avoid similar expenditures.

Therefore, Robert White was right when he said that the operating costs of the television network were very high. 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 was far more than

It has several competitors including ABC, CBS and FOX.

Now, if "Survivor" can be secured, although it will have to pay a high fee, the benefits NBC will get are obvious. It can keep its position as the largest TV network viewership share without fear of ABC's pursuit. On the contrary, if

Without "Survivor," perhaps ABC could overtake it just through this fall season.

TV networks also have the Matthew effect of the strong getting stronger. If they cannot afford to advertise on the four major TV networks at the same time, advertisers usually prefer the one with the highest market share.

Therefore, once it is overtaken by ABC, it will be even more difficult for NBC to catch up. Although it will not fall into losses all of a sudden, NBC's profitability will definitely decline rapidly after being left behind by ABC. In comparison, it was still there last year.

ABC, which was losing money, was able to quickly achieve profitability by relying on the viewership market share brought by "Who Will Be a Millionaire".

Robert White continued to argue for a few words, but Simon insisted on not giving in, so he had to temporarily suspend the meeting and said he wanted to go out and make a phone call.

Simon knew that Robert White was going to report to Jack Welch, chairman of the parent company General Electric, and he readily asked Jennifer to personally lead him to the office next door.

GE's size is far from reaching the US$500 billion level at the peak of the Internet bubble ten years later. Although it has gradually recovered from last year's stock market crash, GE's market value is currently less than US$50 billion. GE acquired it two years ago

MCA, the parent company of the NBC television network, spent US$6.5 billion, which is more than one-tenth of General Electric's current size. Therefore, the media business is currently reporting directly to Jack Welch, Chairman of General Electric, which is a real stimulus.

.

Simon, Amy, and Egg chatted quietly for a while about the company's recent affairs. Ten minutes later, Robert White returned again.

"Simon, I just communicated with Jack," Robert White didn't hide it, saying: "We can accept Daenerys Entertainment's offer of US$50 million per season, but Daenerys Entertainment must also promise us a few things.

Preconditions.”

Simon made a sign to say please.

Robert White said: "First of all, Daenerys Entertainment must increase its investment in the production of "Survivors". 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 each season of this reality show will not be less than 10 million US dollars."

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

"Secondly, in the next three seasons, each season must have at least 16 episodes, not the 15 issues you just mentioned. At the same time, Daenerys Entertainment must agree to send NBC staff to participate in the production of the program."

Simon did some simple mental arithmetic and found that the gap between issues 15 and 16 didn't seem to be big, but it could just reduce NBC's cost for this reality show to about 3 million US dollars. He looked at each other with Amy and Iger, and saw
Chapter completed!