Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1290 Those who refuse divine favors suffer the consequences.

"The new generation surpasses the old, and events like China.com's Asia Night have become the grandest events in the Asian Chinese-language entertainment industry in recent years!"

Mr. Shao mentioned the Asia Night event launched by China.com, as well as events such as the Top Ten Most Beautiful Faces in Asia.

These activities by China.com are collaborations with television stations such as TVB, which have brought a large amount of traffic and users to China.com.

The media outlets such as TVB, newspapers, and magazines that also participated in these activities saw a significant increase in popularity, as the voting methods included internet voting, mail-in voting via newspaper or magazine clippings, telephone voting, and SMS voting.

The number of media outlets covering these events, including both users and advertising sponsors, has increased significantly.

"How much impact does Mr. Li believe the internet will have on television stations in the future?"

After praising China.com, Boss Shao suddenly turned to Li Dongling and asked him a question, his eyes, which had seen countless things in the world, fixed on Li Dongling.

Ms. Fang also stared nervously at Li Dongling. She knew perfectly well what their purpose was in coming to Pingyang.

To be honest, if there were even the slightest hope, Ms. Fang would be reluctant to sell TVB. It is true that TVB was established by Mr. Shao, but Ms. Fang has devoted most of her life to it, and TVB has become a part of her life.

This time, Boss Shao came to the inland under the pretext of unveiling the Yifu Building, but suddenly changed course to Pingyang. In reality, he was testing the attitude of the great philanthropist Li.

At Cyberport in Hong Kong, Lee Tai-shan was regarded by Mr. Shaw as TVB's biggest buyer. In other words, with Lee Tai-shan's involvement, finding other buyers would be able to drive up TVB's price.

Originally, Boss Shao planned to discuss this matter with Li Dongling in Hong Kong, but there are no secrets in Hong Kong.

Boss Shao met with Li Dongling in the morning, and by the afternoon all sorts of news will probably be circulating. There will definitely be no shortage of tabloids and media outlets with wildly imaginative and attention-grabbing stories.

At that point, the deal will probably fall through before any acquisition is even discussed.

It's different inland. The tabloids and foreign media in Hong Kong can't reach into the mainland.

Not to mention that this is in Pingyang, the stronghold of Li Dashan. As long as Li Dongling is willing, the news of Boss Shao coming to Dongling High-Tech will not leak out at all. No media in Pingyang or even Hanxi will report it casually. That's the confidence of a local tyrant!
Looking at Boss Shao in front of him, Li Dongling actually felt something was off. The issues that Boss Shao raised today were clearly beyond the scope of ordinary cooperation.

"The wave of the internet will create huge waves. Until it hits us, no one knows how big the waves will be."

But just like the Asian Night events being held by China.com, internet entertainment may become part of television, and in the future, this boundary may... become increasingly blurred!

Li Dongling didn't say anything about the sensational claim that the internet would replace traditional media like television.

For a seasoned veteran like Boss Shao, saying all this is utterly meaningless.

Hearing Li Dongling's words, Boss Shao glanced at Ms. Fang and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, "It seems that President Li still gives us old guys face!"

"I think the impact of the internet on television stations and newspapers may be much greater than what Mr. Li said."

Mr. Shao said with a touch of sadness that he had been dealing with television stations his whole life and was definitely a veteran in the industry.

However, Mr. Shao is currently somewhat pessimistic about the future of the television station.

"I don't really like people in the securities industry; they're too eager for quick success and instant benefits. But one thing I have to admit is that their vision is indeed very accurate!"
If China.com's valuation exceeds two billion US dollars, it will be just one step away from TVB's market value.

In the eyes of the securities and investment industries, the answer to who the future of the media industry belongs to is probably already clear!

Mr. Shao is a very shrewd person. He doesn't really believe in the valuation methods used for the internet industry, but it is a reference price.

TVB's current market value is around HK$20 billion, or US$25.6 billion, while China.com completed a financing round this year with a valuation of US$2 billion.

Valuation is of course not the same as market capitalization; that's a lot of inflated figures, but it still sounds alarming.

China.com, which has only been established for a short time, is already catching up with the long-established TVB in terms of valuation alone. You can imagine how frightening this is for people in the traditional media industry.

The securities and investment industry is composed of a group of people with top intelligence and mathematical skills. You can say they are bad, but you can't say they are incompetent.

Li Dongling pondered Mr. Shao's words, "China.com is just a name with some empty reputation, it can't compare to TVB. TVB is the face of the Chinese-language media industry!"

"So, Mr. Li, what are your thoughts on TVB?"

Upon hearing this, Li Dongling's expression changed, and his look towards Boss Shao became serious.

"Mr. Shao, please feel free to offer your guidance!" Li Dongling said in a deep voice.

Boss Shao chuckled, then sighed, "I'm getting old, it's time for me to retire!" Saying this was tantamount to directly pointing out his shortcomings.

Ms. Fang continued, "When Uncle Six retires, Shaw Brothers will also choose to withdraw from TVB's management!"

Li Dongling rubbed his temples. Although he wasn't quite sure when TVB was sold in his previous life, it was obviously not now; things had changed.

But in reality, it was precisely because of the philanthropist Li that Mr. Shao made this decision.

In its previous life, Hong Kong did not experience the internet wave sparked by Cyberport. As for Li Zekai's PCCW, it was still playing the same old trick of using the name of an internet company to sell land.

In its previous life, Yingke Power did not create a significant internet wave in the port city.

Cyberport, on the other hand, truly ignited the internet fire in the port city. The emergence of China.com further stimulated the entire media industry, including Mr. Shao, and changed his mind.

"Mr. Shao, are you... going to acquire TVB?"

Li Dongling knew that if this news got out, it would cause a huge stir not only in the mainland television industry, but also in the global media industry.

Mr. Shao did not deny it, "I don't know if Cyberport is interested in TVB?"

Cyberport is a wealthy and powerful conglomerate, considered one of the largest in Hong Kong today. In addition, the relationship between Cyberport and ELT is well-known.

Based on Cyberport's relationship with the Hong Kong government, and Dongling High-Tech's relationship with Yanjing, Mr. Shao felt that Cyberport was the easiest acquirer to gain the support of Hong Kong and Yanjing, and also the one with the highest success rate.

In an instant, all sorts of thoughts flashed through Li Dongling's mind. Now that TVB was being presented to him, it was up to the philanthropist Li to decide whether to take it or not!
TVB is very expensive now, compared to TVB 20 or 30 years from now. But by then, TVB will have changed hands several times and will have been emptied out.

Moreover, the entire Hong Kong media and film industry has completely declined. The "Hollywood of the East" is a thing of the past. The famous stars of TVB are all those who became famous in the 1990s, and there are no new generation pillars emerging.

But TVB is still very popular now, with multiple television stations and satellite channels, and its audience covers Chinese people in Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and other regions.

It boasts over 30,000 hours of TV dramas, variety shows, documentaries, and other programs, as well as the copyrights to TV dramas such as "Shanghai Bund" and "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," which have a global influence among Chinese communities.

Acquiring TVB is equivalent to gaining access to the most influential and well-known media channel among Chinese people worldwide!
For Cyberport, acquiring TVB would mean controlling the telecommunications and media industries in Hong Kong, giving it two strongholds in the city and a greater influence among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and even globally.

Similarly, after acquiring TVB, whether it's promoting the stargazing set-top box or transforming into the internet video field in the future, it will all be a natural progression!
Furthermore, we are currently in a period of internet frenzy, and the acquisition of TVB would be a boon for Cyberport, potentially causing its stock price to soar significantly.

Cyberport could raise funds by issuing new shares or bonds, find a suitable buyer to take over, and then acquire TVB. The actual cash flow that Cyberport needs to provide is probably not that much.

With the right timing, location, and people, wouldn't Cyberport be ungrateful for not accepting TVB's offer?
“TVB is a shining pearl in the global Chinese-language media industry, and Cyberport certainly cannot bear to see this pearl tarnished!” Li Dongling said directly to Boss Shao, making a statement.

Upon hearing Li Dongling's statement, Boss Shao nodded. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he politely declined Li Dashanren's invitation to the banquet and left first.

Today's conversation was just a probe; the real acquisition negotiations will probably have to wait until after the new year.

Moreover, TVB cannot possibly only look for Cyberport as an acquirer. There will definitely be other acquirers, especially wealthy families and conglomerates in Hong Kong. They will definitely emerge and compete with Cyberport.

However, now that they know the news, Dongling Hi-Tech and Cyberport are able to formulate acquisition plans in advance, raise resources, find connections and support, and gain an advantage!

Furthermore, the amount of money involved in acquiring TVB is only one aspect; the key lies in the statements from the Hong Kong government and Beijing. If these two places do not give in, then no one else can take TVB away.

……

"Senior Brother Gu!"

The banquet that evening was very grand, and in fact, it was even more extravagant than the Dongke Annual Meeting banquet the following night.

Tonight, senior executives from Dongling High-Tech's headquarters, along with Lin Xianhui, head of the Gangcheng branch, Lu Chao, president of Dongling High-Tech Europe, Zhou Hualiang, president of Dongling High-Tech North America, and others, have all returned to Pingyang.

After arriving at the banquet hall, Li Dongling walked straight toward Gu Xiguang and the others from the Economic and Trade Commission.

In this setting, there is no need to address each other by title, and Li Dashanren does not need to hide his relationship with Gu Xiguang. Gu Xiguang and the Economic and Trade Commission are Dongling High-Tech's biggest endorsers in Yanjing.

"I heard we have distinguished guests arriving today?"

After clinking glasses with Li Dongling, Gu Xiguang smiled and asked Li Dongling a question.

(End of this chapter)