Hong Kong Storm: The King of Jobs

Chapter 660, Section 250: Things Are Not Peaceful

(Thank you to the boy who loves reading historical novels for your support! Thank you for always supporting Ah Xian! Ah Xian is here to give you a heart emoji!)
Zhao Shaojie sat in the chair, watching the editor edit the film reels one by one. The editing work was very tedious, and it could only be done one reel at a time. After the film was edited, it was put into the projector and then the film was compared frame by frame.

Only after everything is confirmed to be in order will Zhao Shaojie, the executive producer, director, and person in charge, nod in agreement before the entire thing is put together and loaded onto the videotape.

These film reels are all footage of AKB boxing matches, live broadcasts of popular events. However, TVB doesn't have a dedicated sports channel and can't create a special program team, so they just use videotapes of sports events as filler programs for midnight shows.

This is normal. Even if there is a dedicated program team, it is impossible to broadcast every game live. Most of the less important games will be rebroadcast two days later.

But the guys from the sports department would go to the Dragon Palace nightclub every night to record videos. The Dragon Palace nightclub welcomed these marginal figures, providing them with dinner and late-night snacks, as well as special rooms to rest in.

They would even receive a red envelope every month. The envelope didn't contain much silver, mostly just a large coin, but it was enough to cover two weeks' wages, which made the guys very happy.

Handsome Sheng, one of the shareholders of Dragon Palace Nightclub, was very accommodating and gave them the green light all the way. Everyone knew that television advertising was the fastest way to promote a business.

"Boss, this game is fine! Cut out the halftime break and unimportant breaks, and an 18-minute game is already way over the limit! Should we reduce the advertisers' commercials by a few minutes as well?"

The match lasted eighteen minutes, with three minutes of commercial breaks. These included advertisements for AKB48's tobacco company and TVB's own short commercials.

Even seasoned editors felt it was too outrageous and wanted to shorten it further.

"Damn it! Are you out of your mind? Cutting down the Finance Minister's screen time, aren't you afraid Miss Fang will get the HR department to write you a letter of condolence and make you pack your bags and leave?"

Zhao Shaojie was amused by the editor's words. One shouldn't be too naive! These few seconds of advertising were bought by advertisers with real money, just to increase exposure.

If you don't follow the contract and arbitrarily reduce the advertiser's time, and the advertising department finds out, you'll definitely be fired.

The editor shrank back, remained silent, and put the next reel of film into the projector, pretending he hadn't said anything.

Zhao Shaojie was dizzy from looking at the things in the small dark room. He took out his wallet and said to his assistant, "It's my treat. Buy milk tea according to the number of people, one cup per person, and an extra pineapple bun for each person."

"For lunch today, we're having stir-fried cabbage with pork skin, and the soup of the day is cream of mushrooms. I don't think any of you want to eat that, so you might as well work overtime here!"

After finishing speaking, Zhao Shaojie first pointed out a Red Snapper, but feeling that it might not be enough, he then pointed out a Blue Crab and handed it to his assistant, asking the assistant to run an errand for him.

Hong Kong has a culture of "big bosses." If your brothers call you "big boss," you have to protect them. When you go out for meals or tea, you need to pay the bill. Even if you meet your brothers in a restaurant, you have to pay the bill for them.

However, these are not unconditional. If the boss is in trouble, the younger brothers must be at the forefront to save face for him. If the boss is ridiculed by the boss, the younger brothers will always support him and stand together through thick and thin.

If the younger brothers are in trouble, the boss will stand by them to the end. Even if he causes trouble that he can't cover up, he will still try to get the best conditions for the younger brothers.

Of course, if you hesitate or back down, and things get out of hand, no matter if you're a junior or a senior, the relationship will be immediately severed. If you go too far, people will start talking behind your back.

Whether it's the television industry or the film industry, they are small circles. No matter if you're a big shot or a junior, if your reputation is ruined, no one will take care of you.

"Thank you, boss!"

"Thank you, boss!"

"."

Cheers erupted in the small, dark room of the editing studio, all expressing their gratitude to Zhao Shaojie for his generous donation.

Since the Lunar New Year, the food has gotten worse and worse. If the stir-fried cabbage with pork skin were made better, no one would complain, but the food in the TVB canteen is just boiled pig feed.

Not only was it completely bland, but the pig skin wasn't cleaned either, and some even had pig hair on it.

That's outrageous! No one could swallow that!
"Alright! Everyone, let's go out for a smoke and relax!"

Smoking is not allowed in the small, dark room of the editing room. Film is flammable and can catch fire from even a tiny spark, so TVB has a strict rule against editors smoking in the editing room.

The company rules, though explicit, cannot be violated. Zhao Shaojie clapped his hands and invited everyone to go out for a smoke.

After a busy morning, everyone was exhausted. They had a chance to relax and smoke, and even the non-smokers wouldn't miss it, joining the rest of the group as they left the editing room.

"Big guy!"

Blue Bull took out a cigarette, handed one to Zhao Shaojie, and then lit it for him.

Zhao Shaojie quickly shielded the flames with his hands and said politely, "Thank you!"

"You've struck it rich lately? You're even smoking Dunhill now? Did you win the lottery? Or did the Jockey Club give you a huge bonus?"

Upon hearing Zhao Shaojie's words, Lan Niu smiled, lit a cigarette for himself, and gestured with his chin to signal Zhao Shaojie to go to the window.

Zhao Shaojie understood immediately and followed Lan Niu to the window.

"Boss, I've heard that Chi Sheng is going to start his own professional sports pay TV station!"

Blue Bull didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

In fact, Zhao Shaojie already knew about Liangzai Sheng's actions. He had studied abroad and received foreign education. Many of his classmates had gone on to work for the four major foreign trading companies.

During the Lunar New Year, some classmates suggested that Handsome Sheng was about to make a big move, and it was in the television industry. He might very well step forward and start his own professional sports television station.

Zhao Shaojie worked at Columbia Television, specializing in sports channels. He knew the potential and drawbacks of dedicated sports channels and sports television companies.

In fact, there are many sports channels to choose from, such as football, basketball, and tennis, which are the three most popular sports among men in Hong Kong. Golf, fishing, and sailing also have a wide customer base in Hong Kong.

However, Hong Kong only has six million people. If it wants to make money, it must develop markets in Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, and most importantly, the Taiwanese market.

With the copyright and broadcasting rights acquired, and the Pacific Cable soon to be laid, both wired and satellite transmissions will maintain good signal strength.

Zhao Shaojie wasn't sure whether Liangzai Sheng wanted to create a free-to-air sports TV station or a pay-to-air sports TV station. If it was a free-to-air sports TV station, then they would need to open more channels.

At the very least, we need to create two channels, separating the free educational and public service announcements from the agreement.

The second and third young masters of the Lin family had plenty of money in their pockets, but they still couldn't attract investment. Seeing that the results were not good, Cheng Yiran did not increase investment, and they could not operate two channels. As a result, Jia Yi TV Station did not last more than a few years before it went bankrupt completely.

If it becomes a pay-TV channel, it will cut off 95% of the audience. Basic wages in Hong Kong are too low now. Without viewership, the commercial value of TV stations will be greatly reduced.

Even if they acquire the broadcasting rights to the world's top leagues, advertisers won't increase their investment, making it difficult to break even. It's worth noting that the first ten days of every month are the peak season for TVB's advertising department.

The advertising revenue generated in the first ten days of each month is used to pay the salaries of all TVB employees, while the remaining twenty days are used for company operations and profits.

After leaving the finance department, Ms. Fang kept a close eye on two departments: the program production department and the advertising department.

The program production department is the future of TVB, but the advertising department is the present of TVB. Ms. Fong dares not let go of either the future or the present.

The advertising department has been having a tough time lately because of declining viewership and a very poor conversion rate. Advertisers are starting to wonder if TV advertising is worthwhile, especially since Liangzai Sheng's "Daily Fresh" is now known as "Everyday Fresh".

Relying on the European and American approach of offering discounts through yellow pages, coupled with street billboards, they directly broke records.

Advertisers, especially real estate companies, have slowed down their advertising campaigns, and the advertising department has, for the first time ever, failed to meet its performance targets.

The advertising department's performance was poor, and Uncle Tianlin, the head of the program production department, looked even worse because the budget for television programs had been cut in half, and the budget for a single episode of a TV series had been reduced from 60,000 yuan to 30,000 yuan.

In order to produce TV dramas and programs that met the budget, Uncle Tianlin began to use a lot of newcomers. Directors, screenwriters, and producers no longer worked on just one project; they began to take on multiple roles, with each person managing at least three teams.

"Boss, my Dunhill cigarettes were given to me by Boogie! He sent me over to sound you out, to ask if you want to switch jobs. Because our previous collaboration went very well, Chi Sheng wants to ask if you would be willing to work for him as the chief director and head of the sports department."

After Lan Niu finished speaking, he continued smoking, giving Zhao Shaojie a chance to think.

What's meant to happen will happen!

Booger Qiang has been leaving messages on his pager lately, wanting to meet up and have a meal together.

Zhao Shaojie hadn't agreed yet, making excuses that he was busy with work recently. Unexpectedly, this scoundrel was still persistent. Seeing that he wasn't going to keep his promise, he sent Lan Niu to deliver the message.

"What's your reason for thinking this?"

Zhao Shaojie knew Lan Niu well; he knew this guy wasn't some spineless scoundrel with dirty tricks. The fact that he'd even offered this scoundrel a cigarette with his own snot meant he had something to say. Lan Niu glanced at his colleagues chatting and joking, noticing they were all a distance away and couldn't hear their conversation, and said, "In the future, Miss Fang will definitely be in charge."

“Those old guys, like Uncle Tianlin, will definitely have to step aside.”

“TVB is a listed company, and performance speaks for itself. There isn’t much room for personal connections. Uncle Tin Lam’s eldest son, Jing, filmed two dramas and then left to start his own company.”

"Jing Ge's two TV series had both high ratings and generated a lot of buzz, but he left as soon as his contract expired."

"Uncle Tianlin would never cheat his own son, no matter who he cheats!"

“Miss Fang will definitely promote her own people. She values ​​talent. Those who can make it to the top are all talented. It’s impossible for someone like you to be able to do something that others can’t.”

"Recently, the two projects I was in charge of were both rejected. The Zu family's football league had low prices and high attention, and many outsiders and newspapers were promoting it."

“But Ms. Fang doesn’t understand football. My report was rejected that same night. I was not giving up and wanted to see Ms. Fang again, but the program production department announced that TVB would renew the Hong Kong League contract.”

“I really wanted to yell at people at the time. HSBC and Jardine Matheson had already announced that they would dissolve their football clubs and instead invest in golf tournaments.”

"Because of match-fixing, the attendance rate of the Hong Kong League is less than 50%. In a few years, the Hong Kong League will definitely become a moldy league, and all the advertisers will definitely leave."

"A broadcasting fee of four million a year is like throwing money into a puddle; there's no return whatsoever."

At this point, Blue Bull was also helpless. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and fell silent.

Zhao Shaojie patted Blue Bull on the shoulder and said, "The Zu family's league is sold as a package deal. Both the first and second divisions must be purchased together. The contract also stipulates that the second division must broadcast no fewer than fifteen matches."

"The price is also very high. The Asian broadcasting rights only cost HK$1.8 million for three years."

"Based on the freely floating exchange rate, it would require nearly 30 million Hong Kong dollars."

Thirty million Hong Kong dollars!

"TVB's total budget for program production in the first quarter is less than 30 million!"

“Rediffusion Television has always wanted to acquire the broadcasting rights for League One, but the issue is that the broadcasting price could not be agreed upon.”

"Thirty million for a single league, how much would you ask for from other leagues?"

"Serie A? Ligue 1? La Liga? World Cup?"

"Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice. If I were the head of the household, or if I were Miss Fang, I certainly wouldn't agree either."

"The Hong Kong Football League only requires three million Hong Kong dollars, and local advertising alone can generate thirty to fifty million dollars. Low attendance does not mean there are few viewers."

"Uncle Shao, we both know how wealthy Lijia is. They're all struggling in this money-burning game. Even with Shanghai Boy's support, it'll be hard for Chi Sheng to win."

To be honest, Zhao Shaojie really doesn't have much faith in Liangzai Sheng. He has too little capital. Even with AKB48 as a cash cow, it doesn't mean he has a continuous stream of money to burn.

Whether it's the domestic television industry, the European television industry, or the North American television industry, these television companies are all facing a lack of staying power, and everyone is burning through real money.

A single program or a TV series requires an actual investment of over a million yuan.

If the bet is right, everyone's happy!

If everything is wrong, then you have to raise funds in the stock market; if you can't raise money, then you have to file for bankruptcy.

It's important to know that at its peak, the North American television industry had over 100 television stations, over 200 regional television stations, and over 800 radio stations.

But now the five major television companies are still the mainstay, acquiring regional television companies as their own sub-channels. Independent television companies are now almost non-existent.

The world is made of matter. The seven necessities of life are firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. Without money, you can't get by.

"Boss, do you think Chi Sheng's TV company is doomed?"

After hearing Zhao Shaojie's words, Lan Niu immediately asked a question in return.

"Who can explain business clearly?"

Zhao Shaojie shook his head with a wry smile, he was also a little troubled, he took the cigarette butt out of his mouth and flicked a finger out the window.

"Boss, the problem now is that you and I will be taken down by Miss Fang sooner or later. Right now, we are only able to recover our advertising performance because we have AKB boxing matches supporting us, but Chi Sheng wants to start his own TV company, and the boxing matches will definitely withdraw."

"At that time, our advertising performance will plummet again."

"Besides, Sister Zhen has already promised us that as long as the performance targets are met, you can set up a sports channel, but we've been waiting and waiting and there's still no news."

"Boss, you're Fei Lao's nephew. Fei Lao has always been at odds with Miss Fang, so Miss Fang won't give you a chance to develop your career."

"Since we're leaving sooner or later, we might as well make a quick buck off this!"

The big shots drive luxury cars, live in upscale apartments in Central, and have wealthy heiresses as fiancées, while I have nothing at all. Whether I strike out or switch jobs, I'll still be out.

As Boogie mentioned, after changing jobs, you will receive a severance package, which is equivalent to six months' salary.

Even if Blue Bull admires Zhao Shaojie, he still has to consider his own future financial prospects.

The people above fight each other, and the people below fight each other too. You fight me, and I fight you. Isn't that wonderful!
He can't handle this!

Zhao Shaojie is a nobody; his words carry little weight, and he should keep his mouth shut.

But he is Fei Daoyi's nephew. Whether he speaks or not, he will automatically take sides. Even if he surrenders, no one will believe him. Besides, his own uncle is a close associate of Uncle Shao.

Back then, it was Fei Daoyi who stepped forward, took the lead, and fought against Raymond Chow and Robert Ho. He directly used the three directors' pledge of loyalty to defeat Raymond Chow and Robert Ho, and expelled the Qi family's influence from the board of directors.

Miss Fang experienced this scene firsthand; she wouldn't feel at ease until her uncle retired.

"Take it one step at a time, and see what happens!"

"Don't worry, Blue Bull, even if I want to switch jobs, I'll still have to go out and negotiate the price."

"Go tell Nosebleed Qiang that I'm free tonight, let's go out for a late-night snack."

No, Boogie Wong definitely wouldn't just be looking for Blue Cow. Many people in his team have probably received offers to switch jobs. They've all kept quiet, waiting for a big shot to come forward and negotiate a better deal for them.

Zhao Shaojie knew that he had to talk to Bishiqiang no matter what, otherwise, if it dragged on, the team that had been so hard to gather would definitely fall apart.

"Brother Jack!"

Hearing someone call his name, Zhao Shaojie quickly turned around and saw that it was Miss Fang's secretary. He told Lan Niu to go back to work and went to greet her, saying, "Secretary Fang, it's been a long time. Are you here to deliver the imperial edict?"

"Those who deliver imperial edicts are all eunuchs! Brother Jie, your skills in making veiled insults have recently reached a new level."

"Alright! Enough joking! Miss Fang wants to see you, Brother Jie!"

Secretary Fang made a joke to Zhao Shaojie, and then they started talking about serious business.

"it is good!"

"Please lead the way, Secretary Fang!"

"Blue Bull, save the pineapple buns for me, don't eat them all. You keep an eye on the editing, the commercials can't be cut by a single second, and those close-up shots I had filmed, make sure they're included."

"Advertisements, inserts, and every single one of them are essential!"

After giving his instructions, Zhao Shaojie went to Ms. Fang's office with Ms. Fang's secretary.

(End of this chapter)