America: My Time

Chapter 185: The War Begins

Chapter 185 The War Begins

"Why? It's simple. We're destined to meet. If we hadn't met here by such a coincidence today, perhaps even if we were to cooperate, it would have ended up like our previous collaborations. But since we've met, and Mr. Morita, you mentioned the real estate industry, this is how it all came about. While I can support the expansion on my own, the pressure is too great. As you know, both Phoenix and Legend are burdened with huge loans, limiting their expansion capabilities. A slight misstep could affect their development. So, if we're going to cooperate, why not with someone we know best? If we hadn't met you here today, things might not be like this now. It's just that we're destined to meet, destined to sit down and discuss this cooperation!"

"It seems we're really destined to meet. I have no problem with the real estate cooperation. Other matters can be discussed by my subordinates. I trust your judgment. Putting aside everything else, even Tokyo TV, a company that everyone had no faith in, was brought back to life under your leadership, with its ratings soaring. This has left many people extremely embarrassed!"

"No, the TV station's success is not due to my efforts, but rather to the company's own capabilities. It's just that no one paid much attention to it, and it's not worth mentioning. It's just a pity that TV Tokyo's foundation is too weak, making it difficult to take the initiative in many matters."

"Haha, John, you must be joking. With TV Tokyo's current ratings, it's in no way inferior to other TV stations!"

"No, Mr. Morita overestimates TV Tokyo's capabilities. While it may have made breakthroughs in dramas, it lags far behind other television stations in many other programs. Not to mention anything else, even now, TV Tokyo faces numerous difficulties in collaborating with the Recording Industry Association and the Music Copyright Society of Japan to host the Gold Disc Awards and the JASRAC Awards!"

"I've heard about this. It seems to be related to Warner Music. They're opposing TV Tokyo's Grand Prize!" As a local bigwig, Akio Morita naturally knew that TV Tokyo's attempts to hold the Gold Disc Awards and JASRAC Awards were being thwarted. This was no secret within the record company!
"Warner, it's Warner again. It seems they're really going to mess with me. I didn't expect them to have such power in Japan. If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have held back. I should have taught them a more profound lesson!" John knew perfectly well that Warner was up to something in Japan, but he just couldn't find an opportunity to retaliate.

“John, to be honest, it's because Universal Music's strength in Japan is insufficient, and TV Tokyo's foundation isn't strong enough, which is why this situation has arisen. If they had the same strength as Warner, things wouldn't be like this. TV Tokyo has the same strength as Universal in the US, so this isn't a problem at all. Besides, it's not worth going to war with Warner over such a small matter! In the record industry, even Sony has to back down in the face of Warner's pressure! As for the program issue, it's easy to handle. Just give up some profits to the two major associations. If that still doesn't work, Sony can negotiate with them!”

"This isn't about profit, it's about saving face. Warner has come to slap me in the face. If I don't react at all, then anyone will dare to bully me in the future. First Disney provoked me in animation, and now Warner is provoking me in records. I'm afraid other Hollywood companies will jump out and cause trouble next!"

Sony doesn't need to help with the program; the copyright is already registered. Once they leave TV Tokyo, they can't collaborate with other stations even if they want to. Let it drag on like this; it's not a big deal. TV Tokyo has weathered even the toughest times; this is nothing. The real problem is Warner Bros. causing trouble again!

Akio Morita's expression hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "John, you don't really want to go to war with Warner. In the record industry, Universal Music's foundation is far from Warner's match, and even with Sony's help, it would be difficult to compete with them!"

"So what if we go to war? Warner Music is indeed a giant in the record industry, and Universal Music is no match for them. But that doesn't mean Universal Music is powerless against them. Universal Music is no longer the helpless company it once was. The center of the world's record industry is the United States, and Warner Music has more than just records; they also have film production. Unless their artists are all right, then we're in trouble. I'm going to encircle and annihilate Warner Music from all sides!"

"Hiss!" Upon hearing these words, Akio Morita couldn't help but gasp. He never expected John's reaction to be so intense. It was completely beyond his imagination, and the losses from a full-scale war would be far greater. It was simply outrageous to do this for a television program and an award.

"Is it worth it? John, is it worth doing this? Once war breaks out, Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media will also suffer huge losses. It's not worth it for such a small matter!" "From Mr. Morita's perspective, he might think it's not worth it, that he can just endure it and it will pass. It's not a big deal. But Legendary Entertainment can't do it, Phoenix Media can't do it, and I can't accept it. This is no longer a small matter; it's Hollywood's overall counterattack against me. If I don't retaliate at all, they will become even more unscrupulous. Now I have no way out!"

John paused for a moment, then smiled calmly and continued, "I will not offend others unless they offend me; if they do, I will retaliate! Since Warner dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for retaliating. The lesson with Atari hasn't deterred them, so let them continue. I'd like to know how long they can hold out. Records aren't Legendary Entertainment's main business, so even if we suffer some losses, it's not a big deal. Legendary Entertainment is fearless!"

The war between the two entertainment giants has serious consequences. Any company drawn into the battle will suffer terrible blows. Moreover, such a war will inevitably involve many innocent people. Most importantly, Legendary Entertainment's main business is not records, but film and television. If TV Tokyo joins the attack, it will have a huge impact on Japan's entertainment industry!
“John, how about I ask the people from Warner Pioneer to sit down and talk? Peace is the best policy. There’s no need to make such a big fuss. It’s not good for anyone, and it will impact the entire entertainment industry!” At this moment, Akio Morita felt immense pressure. Although the entertainment industry wasn’t a big deal, a war would have a very bad impact on Japan. He couldn’t help but curse Warner Pioneer inwardly for causing trouble at this time and dragging everyone down with them.

"It's no use. They can't make the decision. This isn't something Warner Bros. Pioneer can solve. This is a backlash from the entire Hollywood. They've seized this opportunity and won't let it go easily. Things are going wrong in Japan. Do you think things will be fine in the US? That's impossible. The storm there will be even bigger! The pressure Legendary Entertainment is facing now is the pressure Sony will face in the future. Hollywood's xenophobia is that crazy. To gain a foothold in Hollywood, you need to have enough strength. Compromise is useless. Only by thoroughly hurting them can you gain their recognition and force them to compromise!"

Seeing John's resolute attitude, Akio Morita couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Perhaps his 'coincidence' with John's arrival was already within John's expectations. Now John was telling him, and everyone in Japan, that he was going to war with Warner Bros. This was not only a display of strength, but also a warning.

Although Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media are not strong enough in the record industry, they are not afraid of confrontation in the face of a full-scale war. Warner is a multinational corporation, and so are Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media. Moreover, in this war, Warner will face the joint attack of the two major entertainment companies, and may even suffer suppression from the gaming world.

In such a major battle, neither side naturally wants anyone to join the other's camp. John's words in front of so many people were a warning to Japanese companies not to make the wrong choice and stand on the opposite side. However, it now seems that some ignorant people have already joined this battle.

With the outbreak of this major conflict, the Japanese entertainment industry would inevitably suffer a severe blow, and Sony Music would be no exception. This caused Akio Morita to fall silent, pondering how to deal with the impending crisis. At this moment, everyone else present was shocked; no one had expected to hear such a shocking secret.

The full-scale war between multinational corporations, especially between world-class media giants like Warner, and the fact that it was Japan that ignited it all, put immense pressure on those of them in the Japanese entertainment industry. Their faces were filled with utter shock; this was something they shouldn't have known at all.

Of course, knowing this secret also has great benefits for them. At least they know the cause of the crisis. As long as they are careful, they can avoid danger and not be caught up in the storm. The premise is that their firm can do this and will not easily take sides.

In such a battle between multinational corporations, individual agencies are merely ants to be easily crushed. Anyone drawn into the fray will be torn to pieces. Warner Bros. is indeed powerful, but Legendary Entertainment is the leading entertainment group in the United States, and Phoenix Media is the leading entertainment giant in Asia. With these two companies joining forces to strangle each other, Warner Bros.' situation is extremely dangerous, as this is a full-scale war. Once it erupts, it will be all-encompassing. In the media arena, Warner Bros. is clearly far behind. The United States has Legendary Entertainment, and Asia has Phoenix Media, which can completely crush its rival from all sides.

(End of this chapter)