Chapter 363: Chapter 87: Another Step Up

“How much longer?” Adrian glanced at the time and said with some impatience, “They haven’t changed their minds again, have they?”

Of course, he tried to suppress his voice, as this was a public place after all. Even though ABC’s people hadn’t arrived yet, there were still others present.

“Don’t be anxious, it’s not time yet,” Claude said with a smile, “We’ve arrived a tad early. Although there have been plenty of acquisitions overturned at the last moment, it will definitely not happen to us.”

He paused, then his expression turned curious, “To tell you the truth, you weren’t this impatient at the contract signing of the TBS acquisition–are you feeling like you’re in a dream?”

“A little, but more than that, I’m eager to firm everything up as well as consider the potential future developments,” Adrian didn’t hide his feelings, “You know, our acquisition of TBS involved a lot of luck. Ted Turner and Warner have always had a good relationship. If we hadn’t acted early and discreetly, if Warner had extended an olive branch, he would have definitely chosen them over us. And there’s no need to mention ABC–after nearly a year’s struggle with Disney, although I played a small role, I know how hard it was. So it’s only when they sign their names under the agreement that I can relax even a bit.”

“You underestimate yourself, Ed,” Claude laughed heartily, “Not to mention how that Pixar animation you pitched won us great opportunities, Ted agreed to our terms back then because of your charm. I still remember your proud assertion that ‘if not now, then never.’ Those achievements are also one of the reasons we’ve been successful.”

He was about to ask Adrian why he only relaxed halfway after signing when ABC’s people finally arrived. The signing ceremony wasn’t long; after some brief warm exchanges, under the watchful eyes of lawyers and many others, they signed their names on the documents already prepared, exchanged signatures, and then the whole acquisition was basically concluded.

“Congratulations, it’s the era of you young people now.” ABC’s chairman, Tom Murphy, almost 70, said this as he shook hands with Adrian amidst applause, then took a sip from the champagne a waiter handed him and left the scene without looking back, skipping the press conference altogether.

Such a move might seem impolite, but Adrian understood his feelings; whether from the perspective of power or emotion, it was a hard reality to accept.

“Tom isn’t attending the press conference?” Claude joined Adrian after schmoozing with a few people, champagne in hand.

“I’m not planning to attend either.” Adrian shrugged, “Leave those things to you; I was just here to sign.”

As he said this, he noticed the young man next to Claude, reaching out in surprise, “You came too, Benjamin–I didn’t even notice you, my apologies.”

“It’s nothing,” the young man, seemingly twenty-seven or twenty-eight, said with a modest smile, shaking his hand, “I was standing in the crowd; it’s normal that you didn’t see me, Adrian.”

Quite the smooth talker, isn’t he? His polite and cultured demeanor likely would make him a pleasure to work with.

“You don’t have to make excuses for him, Benjamin,” Claude said at that moment, “Ed’s mind was full of other things at the time. Even if you and Walt stood before him, he would probably not have noticed.”

“Ryan’s here too?” Adrian raised his eyebrows and immediately began scanning the crowd. Claude made an “I told you so” gesture at Benjamin, who chuckled softly in response.

Adrian quickly picked out the figure he was looking for among the crowd. The man appeared to be about thirty and was conversing with a few others, wearing the same kind of humble, reserved smile as Benjamin. It made sense – while not every scion of a great family was undisciplined, many were indeed capable and knew how to read a situation. The real wastrels were usually kept out of the way or given the cold shoulder, hardly ever entrusted with serious responsibilities.

After this acquisition, AC Media would have three extra board seats on top of the existing ones. There was the representative from ABC, of course, who wasn’t much of a concern, much less compared to the likes of Ted Turner or the representative from Viacom. The ones truly worth noting were Benjamin Miles, The Godfather’s representative, and Walt Kahn, the representative from Adrian’s uncle’s side. It was an unavoidable outcome; to secure financing, you inevitably had to let certain people put their hands in the pie. Moreover, these two young men had significant backgrounds. Benjamin’s paternal uncle was the prolocutor of the California State Parliament, while Walt’s uncle was from the Congress, and his older brother, ten years his senior, was an executive at Goldman Sachs.

Therefore, while they might seem like mere representatives with little say for now, things could change dramatically if AC Media were to perform poorly and need additional funds. This process was irreversible. In the United States, any company that wanted to grow had to do this; it was just the rule of the game. Those unwilling to share were kicked out. This might seem unfair, with conglomerates securing a place on the board just by providing some funds and staying ready to take over in case of problems; but that’s life, isn’t it? Unfair.

Additionally, aligning oneself with these families had its benefits. Benjamin and Walt’s connections were well-established and could offer considerable help in various matters. In fact, they had been painstakingly chosen and recommended by The Godfather and the uncle. Importantly, ingratiating with the network of ultra-rich American families and conglomerates would be smoother, for these tycoons and their alliances maintained mutual stakes in each other’s businesses. Hence, anyone eyeing this class had to weigh their choices carefully.

Enough about that. Adrian didn’t attend the press conference, but he stayed behind to talk with Claude; they had lots to discuss.

“I’m all set: one sitcom, one reality show,” Adrian said to Claude inside the trailer.

“That quick?” Claude raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I’ve been thinking ever since you mentioned wanting to acquire ABC,” Adrian replied with a smile. “Based on ABC’s actual situation and an analysis of the sitcom market since the ’80s, a family comedy that appeals to all ages is most suitable right now. This sitcom won’t have anything too flashy regarding the dialogue or scenes; it is practically tailor-made for ABC.”

He had prepared ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ which was originally set to debut on CBS the following year. The show, a rare example of a series that ran for nine seasons, was incredibly popular despite not being as edgy as ‘Friends’ in dialogue and scenes or scoring as high in ratings. The fact that it lasted nine seasons spoke volumes about its popularity, and its quality was beyond question.

As Adrian pointed out, as soon as Claude announced the intended acquisition of ABC, Adrian had started thinking about what kinds of programs could boost the network’s ratings. ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ seemed very suitable. After all, ABC was a broadcast network with a wider and more diverse audience than TBS. The show’s content could not be too provocative – what would work a decade later didn’t apply to the present, when family comedies with warmth following the tradition of ‘Growing Pains’ were popular, as ‘Friends’ was a testament to that. Thus, ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ was a perfect match.

As for certain concerns, there was nothing to worry about. Even back when he was unknown, he was able to leverage the Screenwriters’ Guild and get a head start. Now, with numerous resources at his disposal, it was even less of an issue. Much like with ‘Friends,’ he would gather intel to ensure no one had similar ideas, commission a rough script, and hype it up extensively. Then, he’d announce a temporary halt on selling or producing the show once everyone knew about it, effectively preventing any competitive development. It was quite cunning indeed.

However, Adrian did not intend to have Bossworth Film produce this sitcom. While ‘Friends’ and ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ contributed to the TV division’s experience, some things couldn’t be achieved overnight. Besides, the company’s focus was still on films, so resource allocation might fall short. These two series were already enough. Plus…

“Hand it over to Warner for production?” Claude picked up, understanding Adrian’s intent. “Good idea. Since it’ll be a while before we can resolve things with Disney, why not draw in others, right? Universal is closest to us and presents no significant conflicts of interest. Paramount is next in line and also a subsidiary of Viacom. Fox and Columbia are transitioning to competitors because of ABC, so Warner is the best target.”

With that, he let out a long sigh, “Indeed, when it comes to entertainment production, you’re always full of ideas.”

“I have lots of ideas in other areas too,” Adrian immediately reminded him.

“Okay okay, lots of ideas,” Claude laughed and then stroked his chin, “As for ‘Survivor’…”

“About this reality show, it’s not something we can cover in just a word or two. It could be very popular or it could fail miserably; it all depends on the producer’s skill,” Adrian said, sighing. ‘Millionaire’ would have been the best fit, but it was already given to TBS early on. Finding a suitable reality show for ABC isn’t easy.

‘American Idol’ is not bad, but it needs the network to develop to a certain extent to have the greatest impact. Of course, it would still be popular if produced now; there’s never a shortage of people eager for overnight fame. However, under the current network conditions, the results might be much less impressive, and that would undoubtedly be putting the cart before the horse. After considering various other reality shows, ‘Survivor’ seems the most suitable.

Simply put, the selling point of the show is its novelty. Several people go to a desert island or a forest for various adventures, and then one participant is eliminated each day based on different situations. The last person standing is the winner. Along the way, many strange and curious things happen, and anyone can sign up, so the viewership is quite good. However, if we were to produce it, how it turns out entirely depends on the producer’s skill. With other shows like ‘American Idol’ or the previous ‘Millionaire,’ I know a lot more because I paid close attention in my previous life. So, from time to time, I can offer some pertinent advice, but I only learned about ‘Survivor’ while collecting information. Plus, the program itself has its own flaws, which could lead to failure if not handled properly.

“Let’s do this, I’ll have Charli consolidate the information in a few days and then fax or email it to you,” said Adrian, then he seemed to remember something, “Oh right, don’t forget…”

“Marvel, I know, you’ve mentioned it countless times,” Claude sighed, apparently exasperated by his persistence.

“Don’t blame me, Crow. Now is the best time to act–although I’ve said it many times–don’t miss the opportunity,” Adrian shrugged.

“I know, but according to the analysis, they haven’t hit rock bottom yet. It might be better to observe for a few more months. Besides, I could use the time to consolidate,” said Claude. “Also, after acquiring ABC, our funds have become somewhat tight. If we were to buy, I’m afraid… Are those comic book rights really worth all the trouble you’re going through?”

“You should know that a movie adapted from a comic was released this summer and did quite well,” Adrian reminded him.

“Yes, ‘Batman Forever,’ with Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman starring, I know,” Claude nodded.

“So, calculate it, how much profit did Warner make after acquiring DC Comics, from Superman and Batman series?” Adrian spread his hands, “Besides, how many more superheroes are there on the big screen?”

He gestured and emphasized his tone, “As technology advances, when computer CG technology becomes more realistic and cheaper, it will replace manual special effects to create visuals that were previously unachievable. And by then, more and more superheroes from comics will land on the big screen. Now, the Superman series has declined, and the Batman series will show a downward trend after peaking. So, in the future, which comic company’s superheroes will capture the audience’s attention?”

“You’ve always had such a way with words, Ed, not to mention that sharp vision,” Claude laughed, “Alright, I’ll keep an eye on it, I promise.”

“Then, I’ll await your good news,” Adrian said no more, and then he flashed a mischievous smile, “Well, I have another suggestion, you might find it interesting.”

“Oh?” Claude, whose facial expression had changed, lifted his eyebrows noncommittally.

“Do you know about Victoria’s Secret, Claude?” Adrian’s smile grew thicker.

“Hmm… seems like it’s a lingerie company?” Claude said uncertainly.

“Yes, it’s a mainstream brand with a decent reputation and a certain market share. But that’s not important. What is important is that they are currently undergoing a transformation. They just had a fashion show this year, and the response was quite good,” Adrian said playfully. “If you’re willing, consider buying it and meticulously crafting it. For instance, invite professional models to participate, or use various means to boost sales, or even establish a regular fashion show and broadcast it on ABC–they seem to be seeking TV network support–you know, most people like to watch this. If you can manage to get a slot during the Super Bowl, perhaps you could transform it from a mainstream brand to a luxury one, and then create your own professional modeling team.”

At the last sentence, a look of astonishment flashed across Claude’s face momentarily, and then he cursed with a smile, “You… you’re something else…”

“I’m serious, think about it,” Adrian shrugged. He had come up with this while analyzing a reality show, where Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the Victoria’s Secret Angels were quite sensational in the future, having previously collaborated with ABC. Now that they had ABC, and considering the inner company debate over this transformation at Victoria’s Secret’s parent company, it wouldn’t be a big deal to take over as well. Claude liked playing with models, didn’t he? Creating his own modeling team could be great.

But, such matters were for later discussion. They had already covered enough ground for today. So, Adrian pressed the car phone, “Find a place to stop, and inform the car following behind mine.”

“No need to drop me off. I’ll take my own car back,” he immediately said to Claude.

Claude nodded, and after the RV stopped at the curb, Adrian was about to get off when he added, “Send my regards to Kate and Lily. Also, how does it feel to be a father?”

“Hmm…” Adrian paused as he opened the door, then let out a wry smile, “It’s, well, painfully joyous.”

Indeed, it was a mix of pain and joy. Despite very often being a shield or excuse, the idea of natural rights was vividly exemplified in the case of a baby. Mostly sleeping all day long, they’d cry upon waking up. Crying when hungry, when they’ve soiled a diaper, when displeased, or even crying without reason, and irrespective of time or place. Often in the middle of the night, when sleep was sweetest, their cries would wake him, forcing him to get up and soothe the little one. Even though there were nannies, Adrian still got up multiple times during the night–after all, Kate couldn’t be left to handle it alone, right? In a word, it was an ordeal of constant, careful attendance.

What was utterly intolerable was hearing the baby’s cries during moments of intimacy. Knowing that sexual activity was ill-advised for the first and last three months of pregnancy–the former due to the risk of miscarriage and the latter the risk of premature birth–after three months of abstinence, Kate was understandably enthusiastic. But however excited they got, a baby’s crying would kill the mood instantaneously. They certainly couldn’t tell the little one that mommy and daddy had important business and to postpone crying for later, could they?

Yet, when the baby wasn’t crying, she was incredibly well-behaved. Within just half a month, her eyes could fully open–big, round, and bright, a spitting image of Adrian, dark as gems and with sparkling vitality. Her cheeks were chubby, and she often blew bubbles with her mouth, occasionally letting out a particularly lovable laugh.

So, no matter how much he resented her inconsiderate “temper tantrums” at any hour or place, once he would hold her in his arms, the feeling of her being worthwhile would prevail.

“Who asked you to be my daughter?” Adrian would often say this while cradling the little one at night, his eyes always brimming with affection, the loving gaze of a father for his daughter. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to head over to Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)