Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1435: Even a slight exertion was already the limit.

TVB's stock has been under constant scrutiny during this period, and any slight movement will be immediately noticed.

Today, TVB shares, priced at HK$24, continued to see buy orders. Although there was no frantic price surge, the intention to accumulate shares was obvious to everyone.

"TVB is about to be acquired!"

"A large amount of funds flowed into TVB stock today, suggesting that the company is accumulating TVB shares!"

"Acquisition or aggressive buying?"

"Will TVB be handed over peacefully, or will the events of three years ago repeat themselves?"

When TVB's stock price started to rise, various media outlets in Hong Kong began to shift their attention to Shaw Brothers and TVB.

However, the media has been speculating about this change of ownership of TVB. It is unknown whether this time a major investor will complete the handover with Mr. Shaw and peacefully acquire TVB, or whether the same thing will happen again as it did three years ago!

Three years ago, the head of the Guo family in Malaysia, who had once fought alongside Mr. Shao, suddenly turned against him and used the South China Morning Post to maliciously acquire TVB.

It's worth noting that back then, the Kwok family was personally invited by Mr. Shaw to take over TVB in order to thwart the hostile takeover attempt by the Australian Benda Group.

Three years ago, the white knight turned into a dragon and began to maliciously acquire TVB.

However, Mr. Shao was also experienced and managed to thwart the hostile takeover attempt by the Malaysian Guo family. But this takeover attempt also led to a complete break between the two companies.

Now, TVB is facing another acquisition, leading the media to speculate about who will ultimately acquire it this time!
……

"Someone has made a move!"

Inside Yingke Power Company, a number of people had gathered. In addition to Li Zekai and his confidant Yuan Tianfan, several of Changjiang Boss Li's confidants were also present.

Apart from Huo Jianning, who was in England and in charge of the sale of Orange Telecom, the rest of the attendees, including Zhou Nianmao, legal counsel for Cheung Kong, and Lu Falan, the head of finance for Cheung Kong, were all present.

The fact that these people are here demonstrates Mr. Li's attitude towards the Yangtze River.

The acquisition of TVB was entrusted to PCCW, owned by CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CKH). ​​Regardless of the success or failure of the acquisition, it would not affect the CKH Group.

The shrewd and calculating Mr. Li of Cheung Kong Group did not want the acquisition of TVB to affect the Cheung Kong Group.

Furthermore, acquiring TVB would likely put them at odds with Cyberport. Boss Li of Cheung Kong knows that Li Zekai has always wanted to get revenge on Li Dashanren.

This time, Mr. Li from Changjiang also intends to support Li Zekai in turning the tide, even though the Changjiang Li family will eventually be handed over to the eldest son of the Li family.

However, Boss Li also had high hopes for Li Zekai. He didn't want Li Zekai to always be overshadowed in Hong Kong. If this continued, Li Zekai's will would be worn down, his spirit would dissipate, and he would no longer have the desire to challenge Li Dongling.

"Is Cyberport making a move?"

When Li Zekai saw TVB's stock price move, his first thought was whether Cyberport had entered the market.

Lu Falan shook her head. "There hasn't been much movement at Cyberport. The team that's been accumulating TVB shares is very experienced. Although they've driven up TVB's share price, they haven't pushed it too high!"

The stock market manipulator who accumulated TVB shares was brought over by Li Dongling from the Hong Kong City Investment Department of the Zhixing Foundation.

The Zhixing Foundation was once based in Hong Kong and had even clashed with George Soros. Their trading experience was among the best in Asia.

For the investment team at the Zhixing Foundation, accumulating TVB shares was an extremely simple matter.

Looking at TVB's fluctuating stock price, Li Zekai couldn't see who was behind it, but he had a feeling that Cyberport was going to be involved!

"Cyberport was definitely going to get involved, and it probably already has!"

Li Zekai asserted that Yuan Tianfan, Lu Falan, and the others looked at Li Zekai, feeling that Cyberport had almost become an obsession for this second young master of the Yangtze River Li family.

"But regardless of who is vying for TVB this time, PCCW will definitely be the winner!"

Li Zekai slammed his fist on the table, expressing his attitude: he would take over TVB at all costs.

"Phoenix TV, along with News Corporation, HSBC, and others, could also be competitors of PCCW!"

Yuan Tianfan said, "If Yingke Power wants to take over TVB, it must first defeat these two companies!"

News Corporation and HSBC are both tough nuts to crack, not easy to gnaw on.

Upon hearing Yuan Tianfan mention these two companies, Li Zekai curled his lip in disdain, "They are no match for Yingke Power."

Li Zekai was absolutely confident in dealing with these two companies. Phoenix TV's major shareholder was News Corporation, which was a fatal flaw.

Li Zekai knew that as long as he stirred up public opinion and promoted the idea that TVB belonged to the people of Hong Kong and could not be taken away by the British, Phoenix TV would definitely be eliminated in the end.

As for Huidefeng, they are indeed powerful, but so what? Li Zekai wants to say that Huidefeng and the Wu family are already old. Their knives are not as fast or as ruthless as his.

Looking across Hong Kong, apart from one certain person, Li Zekai really had no chance of winning; as for the others, Li Zekai was not afraid at all.

"Spread the word that I will personally go to TVB's headquarters in Clearwater Bay tomorrow!"

"TVB and PCCW are determined to acquire it; it will undoubtedly become a shining jewel in the Li family's empire."

Li Zekai is preparing to personally meet with Shaw Brothers to take over TVB!

……

"Hey, do you think Mr. Siu might actually sell TVB this time?"

"Several conglomerates have claimed to want to buy TVB. Gallen Lo, who do you think will become our new boss?" At the Clearwater Bay film set, many TVB stars, including Louis Koo, Bobby Au-yeung, and Ada Choi, gathered around TVB's top actor Gallen Lo, and many other actors were also listening intently.

TVB is about to undergo a major change. As the saying goes, "a new emperor brings a new court," and no one knows what TVB will become after its new owner takes over.

But with the emergence of the new TVB, some people will definitely rise to fame overnight, while others will fade into obscurity.

The reason why these TVB stars gathered around Gallen Lo is simply because he is the undisputed number one actor in TVB dramas.

On the other hand, it stems from his role in the hit TV series "At the Threshold of an Era" last year, which sparked a ratings frenzy in Hong Kong. Yip Wing-tim has become one of the most classic characters in Chinese-language TV dramas.

This TV series involves a lot of stock market plots, and with Gallen Lo's deeply moving acting skills, it's natural that people would ask for his opinion.

When Gallen Lo heard these questions, he was both amused and exasperated. He was just an actor; if he really knew Ye Rongtian's tricks, why would he be acting and earning a fixed salary from TVB? Boss Shao was very stingy when it came to salaries.

"Everyone, stop making wild guesses and just focus on filming your own scenes!"

That's what Gallen Lo said, but he was also worried. His contract with TVB expires next year, and once TVB changes hands, how will the new boss treat him? Will he continue to promote him as TVB's top star? Gallen Lo himself has no idea.

"I wonder what kind of person the new boss is, whether he will reduce the location shooting allowance, and whether the pay will be paid on time?"

"I haven't even finished paying off my mortgage yet!" Ada Choi, one of TVB's leading actresses, said with concern.

TVB stars' salaries are really not high. Even stars are struggling to pay off their mortgages these days.

Even before, during the Southeast Asian financial crisis, Hong Kong property prices plummeted, causing many Hong Kong celebrities who speculated in real estate to go bankrupt and incur huge debts. Now, facing the changes at TVB, many people are naturally worried.

For a time, the TVB actors on set had all sorts of thoughts, and many were worried about their future prospects and careers at TVB.

Just as Gallen Lo was about to reassure everyone that there was no need to worry, someone ran over with news that Li Zekai, the president of Yingke Power and also from the Li family of Cheung Kong, had arrived at TVB City!
Upon hearing of Li Zekai's arrival, Gallen Lo and a group of TVB stars couldn't help but wonder: Could it be that TVB is about to enter the era of the Li family of Cheung Kong?

When asked about the possibility that Li Zekai and the Li family of Cheung Kong might become their new employer, Gallen Lo and others all wore complicated expressions.

The first in the Yangtze River Lijiagang City... once the most powerful family, if they take over TVB, then TVB will look incredibly wealthy.

But people in Hong Kong know the style of the Lee family of Cheung Kong. They treat TVB as a money-making machine. As for the actors, to be honest, they may not get more money than before. Cheung Kong's boss Lee never does a losing business. Anyone who has no value will be kicked out. He has no human touch at all.

……

When Li Zekai entered TVB City, media reporters who had heard the news had already crowded in front of the city's gates, ready to wait for some big news.

“My father has always respected TVB and Mr. Siu. He made the Chinese people have a voice in Hong Kong and around the world!”

Led by Yuan Tianfan and his entourage, Li Zekai arrived at the TVB meeting room. He met with Ms. Fang and the senior executives of the TVB team, but did not see Mr. Shao, which left Li Zekai slightly disappointed.

But soon, Li Zekai rallied his forces, first praising Mr. Shao, and then saying, "The Li family of Cheung Kong and I ourselves all regret Mr. Shao's sale of TVB."

"However, PCCW is willing to let TVB continue to give voice to Chinese people in Hong Kong and around the world!"

“We don’t know what other offers TVB has received, but PCCW is willing to acquire Mr. Shao’s TVB shares at a 50% premium to TVB’s market value of HK$114 billion!”

As soon as Li Zekai said this, Ms. Fang and TVB executives such as Li Helai all looked at Li Zekai. This offer was clearly higher than that of Phoenix TV and News Corporation.

Ms. Fang was quite satisfied with the quote, feeling that Yingke Power was the most sincere.

Before Ms. Fang could speak, Li Helai's phone vibrated. He then showed the phone to Ms. Fang. Upon seeing this, Li Zekai frowned.

"TVB is very interested in PCCW's offer, but Hui Tak Fung has made the same offer, so we need to consider it..."

Upon hearing that Huidefeng and the Wu family were involved, Li Zekai sneered, "Yingke Power is willing to acquire it at a 55% premium!"

"60%!"

"66%!"

"A 69% premium!"

After several rounds, as Li Zekai kept raising the acquisition premium, Huidefeng finally gave up when it reached 66%. They felt that the price was too high, and they didn't know when they would make a profit after buying it back.

"As long as Mr. Shao is willing, Yingke Power can reach an agreement today!" Li Zekai said with great confidence. "I can guarantee that TVB's future will be better than it is now!"

Ms. Fang looked at Li Zekai, then nodded, indicating that Yingke Power should wait a moment. She then got up and walked outside, clearly to report the situation to Boss Shao.

After Ms. Fang left, Li Zekai whispered to Yuan Tianfan, Lu Falan, and the others, "Is the acquisition money ready?"

Lu Falan nodded, offering a 69% premium, equivalent to HK$6.35 billion, to acquire Mr. Shao's TVB shares.

With such a large sum of cash, it would be too difficult for Yingke Power to come up with it on its own, so it naturally had to seek funding from the Li family of Cheung Kong and British banks such as HSBC.

"Once the acquisition of TVB is completed, the entire TVB will need to be restructured. Mr. Shao's methods are outdated and simply cannot keep up with the times!"

Although the agreement has not yet been signed, Li Zekai has already begun to think about making sweeping reforms to TVB. Some TV series and actors are too old, and Li Zekai plans to sweep them all out. He intends to emulate American Television and turn TVB into a money-making machine.

But before Li Zekai could finish explaining, the conference room door was pushed open, and Ms. Fang looked at Li Zekai with complicated eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li, TVB cannot accept your offer. There is a buyer who has put forward a new acquisition plan that is more sincere than your company's!"

"What did you say?"

(End of this chapter)