Top of the Great Era

Chapter 3130 Backstab

Disney also wants to do streaming, but because of its own lack of technical skills, it needs to seek help from outside. Robert Iger is eyeing BAMTech, the streaming platform under Major League Baseball that Zhou Buqi mentioned.

The sports industry plays an important role in the United States and is more "serious" than the entertainment industry.

Therefore, when choosing a career, many front-line technical engineers often choose the sports industry instead of Silicon Valley. BAMTech is a streaming media platform under Major League Baseball, which mainly broadcasts baseball games online. It can be said to be the earliest streaming media platform in the world. With the development over the years, it has gradually expanded from baseball to rugby, basketball, football, ice hockey, tennis and other events, and has done a good job.

Robert Egger set his sights on BAMTech, mainly from two perspectives.

First, BAMTech has very mature streaming technology, which is a huge supplement to Disney’s own business; second, Disney’s ESPN is the world’s largest sports channel. If BAMTech is acquired, the resources of ESPN and BAMTech can be quickly integrated, thereby quickly launching Disney’s first streaming platform - ESPN+.

He has high hopes for the streaming track.

This was also the main factor that caused the disagreement between him and Zhou Buqi.

He doesn't want Ziweixing Global to dominate this field.

It is true that Zhou Buqi is a technology giant.

  But Robert Iger isn’t bad either!

As early as ten years ago, he and Jobs had a long-term plan for the development of the streaming media industry, and he was obviously unwilling to fall behind. He hoped that Disney could acquire BAMTech as quickly as possible and then launch a streaming media platform under Disney.

Unexpectedly, Boss Zhou also suddenly wanted to take action against BAMTech.

  How can I bear this?

Seeing him get angry, Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "Although Disney owns the ABC TV network, in my opinion, the most valuable TV business of Disney is ESPN. Sports is a very good track. If Ziweixing Global completes the acquisition of BAMTech, it can accelerate our layout in the sports track."

Robert Iger's face was gloomy. "BAMTech is a streaming technology company. With your status, Ziweixing Global is not short of technical talents, right?"

"Oh?" Zhou Buqi pretended not to know. "What does this mean? Are you also eyeing BAMTech?"

"Humph!"

Robert Egger snorted coldly.

Calm down at this time.

Sit back again.

Anger cannot solve the problem. He also realized that Boss Zhou's words were full of hidden meanings and there was still a lot of room for negotiation.

Zhou Buqi said calmly: "You know, I own a baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. Theoretically, I also indirectly own a portion of BAMTech's shares. If I am interested in BAMTech, I can get the right of first refusal from the Major League Baseball."

“I don’t think BAMTech can play a decisive role in Ziweixing Global’s streaming business.”

Robert Iger is telling the truth.

Even if Ziweixing Global wants to enter the sports streaming track, there is no need to acquire BAMTech. It can just develop a streaming platform on its own. BAMTech is more like a technology company and does not own any sports event copyrights, and copyright is the key to competition in the streaming track.

Zhou Buqi smiled and said: "In business competition, in many cases, to win in the competition, you don't necessarily need to be very comfortable yourself, but it is enough to make your competitors uncomfortable."

Robert Iger said, "This joke is not funny at all."

Zhou Buqi said solemnly: "Bob, you have to understand that if you really value the streaming media track, if you want to lead Disney's transformation... Humph, you can see that Apple can't give you any help, but I can ruin it all!"

"Is this why you invited me here today?"

Robert Iger finally saw his true colors.

Zhou Buqi said frankly: "I know you have a certain understanding of the technology field, but don't forget that Cook is not Jobs. Not to mention Cook, even if it is Jobs, it is impossible to transfer the interests of Apple to Disney. For the technology industry, you are just an outsider."

Robert Iger was not to be outdone, “To Hollywood, you’re just an outsider.”

"Outsider?" Zhou Buqi couldn't help but laugh. "Is this what you really think? If it was just an outsider, would you be so afraid of my upcoming streaming platform Peacock?"

Robert Egger said: "There has never been any fear."

Zhou Buqi then brought up something else. "By the way, I heard that you once intended to acquire Marvel and Lucasfilm. Why did you fail? How come I bought these two companies with top IPs?" "What are you trying to show off?"

Robert Iger was unhappy.

Zhou Buqi snorted coldly: "I just want to tell you that if I take action against BAMTech, you won't have any chance! Just like Marvel and Lucasfilm back then, they will definitely choose me instead of you."

"what on earth do you want?"

Robert Iger's tone softened. He knew Boss Zhou's reputation and influence.

Disney’s advantage is its values, and its disadvantage is also its values.

This was the main reason why Marvel was inclined to sell to Ziweixing Global.

Disney is an animation studio that produces films for children, while Marvel's comics contain many large-scale and in-depth comic characters and stories. If Marvel is sold to Disney, this part of the content will inevitably be castrated.

The same goes for BAMTech.

If they had a choice, they would not want to join an animation studio with little technical content.

Zhou Buqi said: "Apple won't help you with streaming media, but I can. Not only can I give you BAMTech, I can also help you quickly build Disney's streaming media platform."

"Really?"

Robert Egger's face changed slightly, he couldn't believe it.

Zhou Buqi glanced at him with a calm expression, "You have also seen the situation of Netflix. In the next 50 years, whoever owns the streaming media will own Hollywood. This is a huge market. Netflix and Peacock alone will definitely not be able to take it all. If you are willing to cooperate with me, I can help you and let you enter this track. Apple wants to do streaming media, but Apple will definitely not share its own resources with Disney!"

Robert Iger knew that this was all a trade-off, so he took a deep breath and asked, “What do I need to do?”

Zhou Buqi said: "Stand with me."

"This hacking incident?"

"Yes."

"I see."

Robert Iger really didn't expect that Boss Zhou would take the handling of this hacking incident so seriously.

Zhou Buqi said, "I know you are endorsing Apple, but is it worth it? What good will it do for Disney? When it comes to Hollywood, we must make the most favorable decision for Hollywood. I believe you know the current situation in Hollywood. The soft strategy used in the past to deal with hackers did not prevent Hollywood from being harassed by hackers. On the contrary, it made hackers see the benefits, making them more aggressive and launching continuous attacks on Hollywood."

Robert Iger sighed, "Disney's email system was hacked last year."

Zhou Buqi smiled and said, "So, the strategy must be changed, starting with me. You can stand with me. We should stand up and make a strong statement. We must protect the legitimate rights and interests of female stars!"

"That's it?"

"Correct."

"Any more?"

"No need. I hope you can stand beside me at the Hilton Hotel banquet tonight. Let's gather a group of ambitious and courageous Hollywood colleagues to change the weak mentality of Hollywood people who pay for safety." Zhou Buqi said in a loud voice, "Hollywood should not compromise with criminals!"

Robert Egger knew deeply that if he made such a choice, he would be putting himself in the position of a younger brother.

At the same time, this was also a stab in the back to Apple, which inevitably led to his withdrawal from Apple's board of directors.

(End of this chapter)