Huayu: Director started with art films

Left Jin Yong's house.

Li Yishu first thanked Cai Lan. Although he could take the initiative to visit Jin Yong, it was not a good idea after all. Having a middleman could help a little.

"Mr. Li, you are too polite. I am just a messenger."

Cai Lan smiled and waved his hand. Although he was curious about Li Yishu's purpose in looking for Jin Yong, he didn't expect that she was aiming to acquire Ming Pao Group.

Li Yishu smiled and said, "No matter what, it's all thanks to Mr. Cai's help in the introduction. If there's anything I can help with in the future, please feel free to ask, Mr. Cai."

He had a good impression of Cai Lan, a person who was not pretentious or artificial. Later, when he participated in a talk show, he was able to feel his natural and free and easy nature.

This time, the other party readily agreed to help introduce Jin Yong, so Li Yishu naturally had to return the favor.

When it comes to social skills, Li Yishu thinks he's done a good job.

Gong Li, Xu Suo, Qiu Fusheng, Cheng Long, Yang Shoucheng, Zou Wenhuai and others, as long as they have helped him, have basically gained a lot of benefits from him to varying degrees.

The film industry itself is not a place where one person can eat all the food alone, and Li Yishu doesn't mind sharing the profits with these people.

If Cai Lan is interested in making a movie or producing any film or television work, he will definitely support it.

"Haha, Mr. Li's favor is very valuable. Okay, then I will shamelessly accept this favor."

Cai Lan is from the film industry and has been a supervisor and producer for many years. He knows something about Xu Suo and Qiu Fusheng. Although he cannot use them now, there is no guarantee that he will not have this opportunity in the future.

"I should be the one to thank Mr. Cai." Li Yishu smiled.

The two sides exchanged a few pleasantries. After Li Yishu watched the other party get into the car and leave, he turned around and got into Liu's car and headed for the city.

Liu was driving seriously. Seeing that Li Yishu hadn't said anything, he subconsciously glanced at him. Seeing the thoughtful expression on his face, he thought it was just about the Ming Pao matter, so he said, "Mr. Li, don't worry. Mr. Jin will definitely be able to help you with Yu Pinhai. He has been talking big for three days, and there will be absolutely no problem."

Li Yishu chuckled, "No, Mr. Liu, I'm not worried about Ming Pao Group. I'm mainly wondering if those radio stations in Hong Kong can be acquired."

"Buy a radio station?" Da Liu looked at him in surprise and said, "Mr. Li, are you planning to buy a commercial radio station or a New Town radio station?"

There are three radio stations in Hong Kong, namely Hong Kong Radio, Commercial Radio and Metro Radio.

Hong Kong Radio is a public radio station affiliated with a government department, so there is no chance to acquire it.

The founder of Commercial Radio is Ho Cho-chi, the illegitimate son of Robert Ho Tung, the richest Chinese in Hong Kong. As early as 1959, he, together with Executive Council member Lo Man-wai and Po Leung Kuk Chairman Tang Siu-kin, bid for the license of Hong Kong Commercial Radio.

Speaking of He Zuozhi, he founded Jiayi Television in 1975. Although it went bankrupt two years later, his personal influence is still very loud in the media field.

As for the last Metro Radio, it was founded in 1991 by Hutchison Whampoa, Golden Harvest Films, Dickson Creation and American High Arts Broadcasting Corporation.

Due to its short establishment time, lack of listener base, and complex board members, Metro Radio's ratings have been very low in recent years, ranking last among the three radio stations.

“I’m struggling with this, too.”

Li Yishu touched his chin and asked, "Boss Liu, I want to acquire a commercial radio station. The listening rate of commercial radio stations has always been very high, often ranking first. Secondly, the audience base is broad, so there is no need for too much management after acquisition. However, it may not be possible to acquire it."

"Metro Radio has performed poorly in recent years, and its internal management is chaotic. Plus, there are too many board members. I can find someone to slowly buy out their shares. In terms of acquisition difficulty, commercial radio is definitely the most difficult, and Metro Radio is the least difficult, but after the acquisition, we have to find someone to manage it again."

After hearing Li Yishu's question, Liu thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Li, the value of Commercial Radio is not low. If you want to acquire it and get the controlling stake, it will probably cost at least 10 to 20 billion Hong Kong dollars. I think it's better to choose Metro Radio. It's only been established for a few years and its listening rate is not high. I estimate that a few hundred million Hong Kong dollars can buy a certain proportion of shares."

As early as 95, television, radio and newspapers are the most common media channels, and also the ones with the highest revenue.

There are a large number of cars in Hong Kong, and the listening rate is very high during the daily rush hour. Commercial Radio has been competing with Hong Kong Radio for the top spot all year round, and its commercial value is much greater than that of the Ming Pao Group.

After all, Hong Kong citizens have many newspapers to choose from, but there are only three radio stations. Commercial Radio was established in 1959 and has a very broad audience base, which also leads to Commercial Radio earning huge advertising fees and event expenses every year.

For example, the audience requests songs, singers make the charts...

These radio stations all have cooperation with telephone companies. When audiences call their radio stations to request songs or vote for a singer's new song, they can get a certain percentage of the commission.

For example, when a new singer wants to promote his/her songs, the record company behind him/her will cooperate with a certain radio station for a long time.

The commercial value of radio stations is huge.

Li Yishu said: "Money is not a problem for me. A few billion Hong Kong dollars is only about 100 to 200 million US dollars. I can still take it out."

Hearing this, Liu was slightly stunned and glanced at Li Yishu. Is making movies really so profitable?

But then he thought again, Li Yishu has a film company in the United States and earns all his money in US dollars, so tens of millions of dollars are just US dollars over there.

But if used in Hong Kong, that would be hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars.

Liu was filled with admiration. Judging from Li Yishu's shopping habits, her wealth might be even more than that of this billionaire.

Just think about it, the other party earned more in just a few years than he had earned in more than 20 years of hard work. It was really a big blow.

Fortunately, he will soon catch up with the other party in making money.

Thinking of this, Liu asked, "Mr. Li, if you have enough money, I can help you make an appointment with Sir He to discuss the acquisition of the commercial radio station."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Liu!"

Li Yishu thought about it and decided that she just needed to wait for Jin Yong’s reply, so three days should be enough.

It's past eleven o'clock in the morning.

After Liu sent Li Yishu to Asia Television, he thought Liu was going to leave, but he didn't expect that not only did Liu not leave, he also made an appointment with Cai Shaofen to meet at Asia Television.

Cai Shaofen came over with a smile: "Director Li, long time no see."

"It's been a long time since I last saw you, Miss Cai. You've become even more beautiful now."

Lee Ye-seo smiled and said, “The TV series ‘The Legend of the White-Haired Witch’ that aired at the beginning of the year was quite interesting.”

"Director Li has also watched my TV series?" Cai Shaofen was very surprised. She didn't expect that Li Yishu had actually watched this TV series, and it was produced by TVB.

"Haha, mainly to understand the situation of TVB's TV series, so I took a look. It was filmed very well, and the white hair style is also very beautiful."

Li Yishu smiled brightly. How could he have the time to watch TV series now? It was when he came to Hong Kong yesterday that he went to ATV to look at the list of TV series broadcast by TVB this year to see if he could recall some future popular TV series or creative ideas for TV series adaptations.

Hearing this, Cai Shaofen suddenly realized something. She wondered how Li Yishu had time to watch the TV series she had starred in.

Liu, who was standing next to him, said with a smile, "Mr. Li, I am going to ask Ah Fen to terminate her contract with TVB and come to your ATV. How about that? Are you welcome?"

"Haha, of course you're welcome." Li Yishu looked at Cai Shaofen with a smile: "We at ATV definitely welcome Miss Cai to come. It just so happens that this year ATV is going to launch a plan to co-produce ten TV series. I'll let Manager Huo know when the time comes."

Cai Shaofen was surprised: "Ten co-produced TV series? Are they co-produced with the mainland?"

Li Yishu said: "Yes, we have reached a plan to co-produce TV series with CCTV, Yangcheng TV, Yanjing TV, Shanghai TV, etc. in the mainland."

ATV has received much attention from above. Now that the station has gone through most of its reforms and eliminated many old hands, it is gradually gaining a new look.

At the same time, the news channel is broadcast on time at 7 o'clock every night. No matter what people in Hong Kong say, at least the people at the top are very happy.

With a wave of his hand, he issued a document to the radio and television departments below.

With the support of the leaders above, the project was naturally green-lighted and went smoothly, and the co-produced TV series project was successfully launched.

This year's ten co-produced TV series will not only be produced in collaboration with a number of powerful mainland TV stations, but will also not be restricted in their future broadcasting in the mainland.

As they talked, they soon walked into the ATV building.

At this time, the first floor lobby of ATV had been redecorated, and everywhere was filled with posters and notice boards related to the "Miss Asia Beauty Pageant". Along the way, ATV staff saw Li Yishu and shouted, "Chairman!"

Li Yishu also had a smiling face all the way.

When they first came, they all called him Chairman Li.

This word has a very special meaning!

Li Yishu felt a little scalp-sick after listening to this.

But people in Hong Kong are used to it, so Li Yishu can only ask everyone to change their address to chairman.

Li Yishu arranged for someone to take Liu and Cai Shaofen around on a tour.

As soon as Liu and others left, Florence Hui arrived.

"Chairman!"

"How did you know I was coming?"

Li Yishu looked at the other person in surprise. He did not inform Florence Hui before coming.

Florence Hui laughed and said, "Haha, when you got downstairs, the front desk reported all the way up."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "Even when I came, someone notified you immediately. It seems that you manage ATV very well. Your people are everywhere."

Florence Hui knew that Li Yishu was joking, so she smiled and said, "Others don't have to notify them, but you, the chairman, must be notified. Otherwise, how can I rush over to greet them?"

Hearing this, Li Yishu smiled and said nothing more. She turned around and took Huo Wenxi to the office upstairs.

After entering the office, Li Yishu asked about the Miss Asia beauty pageant.

"The Miss Asia pageant is going very smoothly. It is being promoted in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. It is said that over 25 people have signed up in Japan. The official audition will be held on the th, and I'm afraid there will be to people."

There are many kinds of talent shows in Japan, ranging from singer talent shows to model talent shows and even various advertising auditions.

Many popular Japanese actresses were selected from auditions.

This Miss Asia beauty pageant was held so grandly, covering almost half of Asia, so those girls who wanted to become famous naturally signed up enthusiastically.

Regardless of whether she can make it to the Miss Asia finals, at least she can show her face on TV in her own country and become famous.

“How many people have signed up now?”

"According to the data from the cooperative TV station, there are now more than 200,000 people who have signed up across Asia!"

"More than 200,000 people? That many?"

Li Yishu's face was full of surprise. He didn't expect it to be so exaggerated.

"Yeah, more than 200,000, and the auditions haven't even started yet."

Florence Hui's face flushed, obviously she was also excited.

Two hundred thousand people have signed up, and there are still a few days left before the auditions. If the auditions are closed, I wouldn’t say there will be 300,000 or 400,000, but there will definitely be nearly 300,000.

This is more than the number of contestants in all previous Miss Asia pageants combined, which is truly a grand event.

Li Yishu encouraged: "Not bad, not bad, work hard, if you succeed in the Miss Asia pageant, it will definitely become one of ATV's most important programs in the future!"

The most enduring programs in Hong Kong are probably the Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant and TVB's Happy Tonight.

Although ATV has held many Miss Asia pageants, its influence is still very weak, which can be seen from the quality of the selected Miss Asia pageants.

From its establishment in 1985 to now, in the past 10 years, there are only a few beauties who have left a deep impression on people, including Ye Yuqing, Li Zhi, Weng Hong, and Wan Qiwen.

Among these people, the only one who truly became famous through the Miss Asia pageant was Li Zhi.

As for the rest, two rely on third-level films and one relies on TV dramas.

Unlike the Hong Kong beauties next door, just count them, they are all beauties, Zhao Yazhi, Zhong Chuhong, Qiu Shuzhen, Zhang Manyu, Li Meifeng, Yuan Yongyi, Chen Farong, Li Jiaxin...

"I will definitely work hard, Chairman." Florence Hui nodded vigorously, and then talked about The Voice of Asia, a project that will not be launched until next year.

In addition to the first time, there are also the Asian Film Awards and the Asian Television Awards.

The Asian Television Awards was held by a newspaper in Singapore at the beginning of this year. The impact was not very big, but the other party came up with this concept.

In order to avoid any copyright issues in the future, Florence Hui decided to cooperate with the newspaper.

The Asian Film Awards has also set up a team to be responsible for all matters related to the Asian Film Awards, from trophy design to planning of the film awards and future venue arrangements.

It is highly likely that we will not be able to start in March or April next year, and the earliest we can do so will be in June or July.

"Don't worry, the film awards won't come that soon, so wait a little longer, it's better to have nothing than to have something less than perfect."

Li Yishu smiled and said, "I was just joking with you before. There is no need to rush to compete with the Hong Kong Film Awards. As long as our Asian Awards are successful, the Film Awards will not be a problem."

Florence Hui: "Yeah, I will keep an eye on the film awards."

"correct!"

Li Yishu suddenly remembered and said, "I met with Jin Yong this morning, and he promised to help me acquire Ming Pao Group. After acquiring Ming Pao Group, I will also acquire a radio station. It is expected that next year, we will start integrating the group's resources and establish a media group."

Two years ago, Art Entertainment Group carried out a resource integration, combining the resources of branches in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, the United States and other places to form a relatively small distribution channel and production resources.

But this time it’s different, it’s real integration.

From movies, television, newspapers, radio, publishing, distribution, media, animation, records, advertising...

It spans almost all the departments and channels that a media empire should have.

The only thing lacking may be animation, records, advertising and other aspects, which are developing relatively slowly.

However, after the integration of resources, the scale will definitely be expanded. Music Era's scale in Japan is very small, but it already has channels in Japan. As long as it acquires two more record companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, it will be able to integrate resources and then enter the mainland market.

The same goes for animations and advertisements.

Li Yishu is not short of money now, what he lacks is an opportunity to integrate resources. Once the resources are integrated, he can add some spice to it and make a delicious dish!

"Great! If this integration is successful, Chairman, won't our Art Entertainment Group be able to become a true international media giant?"

Upon hearing this, Florence Hui's eyes lit up. If this integration was successful, ATV would instantly crush TVB, and all resources would be shared in the future.

The news is provided by Ming Pao Group, the movies are provided by Art Entertainment Group, and the TV series are provided by Jingyi Film and Television Company in the mainland...

"Yes!"

Li Yishu nodded in agreement and sighed, "I've been waiting for this opportunity."

Once the group is successfully integrated, he will start the first round of financing, and then use the funds to buy more.

He made Art Media Group a big fat company in one bite, and took advantage of the 97 financial crisis to make a fortune by listing it. (End of this chapter)