The next day, Andy and Noble finally reached an agreent. They acquired ABC Broadcasting Company for 12 million dollars, obtaining all the assets of the original radio company, including the headquarters in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and New York.
Most importantly, they secured the cable network that covered the entire United States and the network agreents with 116 television stations. With these cables and agreents, ABC could transmit its programs to these stations, which would broadcast the signals locally, achieving nationwide coverage.
Hardy had to pay 12 million in cash: an initial paynt of 5 million, 4 million after six months, and the final 3 million six months later.
On the sa day, the Paramount negotiation team, who had been locked in an abandoned factory for three days, finally saw an opportunity. That day, after being fed, their mouths were left unbound. One of them found his ropes loosened and used his teeth to untie them.
After freeing themselves, they noticed the robbers playing cards in the distant hall, not paying attention to them. They quietly sneaked out along the wall and escaped to safety. When they reached the city, seeing the traffic and people, they were so overwheld with emotion that they cried. It ant they were truly safe.
"Sob, sob, call the boss and ask him to send soone to take us ho," the vice president choked out.
The past few days had been too painful. He never wanted to experience it again.
In a cafe in Los Angeles, Hardy was chatting with Professor William Fox, with the French girl Irina sitting beside him, smiling as she listened.
"Professor Fox, you are an expert in broadcasting and have worked in television. How would you run ABC Broadcasting Company if you were in charge?" Hardy asked.
Professor Fox smiled, "The essence of dia is the power of public opinion, and a broadcasting company has this power. A television station must have news programs."
"We can also start a current affairs program with two to three hosts discussing social topics and inviting public figures and university professors as guests. This will create more engagent. We need advertising, and ad revenue depends on viewership, so we must create programs that people love.
Television is about entertainnt, so the station must focus on this to attract viewers and generate revenue."
"Currently, most television programs last only about five hours, mainly from 6 PM to 11 PM, known as pri ti, when people are most likely to be at ho. Dayti programming is almost non existent, but I believe there is an audience during the day, like housewives who stay at ho. They could be a targeted audience."
Why only five hours? The main reason is that producing programs is expensive. No matter what you produce, it costs money, and current advertising can't guarantee enough revenue. So other stations broadcast their best programs during pri ti.
William Fox on the other hand saw the value of non pri ti, especially housewives. For soone from the forties, his insight and ideas were remarkable.
Housewives had a lot of free ti, often staying ho all day. Providing them with continuous programs would surely make them loyal viewers. Moreover, won were the primary consurs in the household. Most family expenses were controlled by won. Capturing their attention ant capturing the family's wallet.
The two talked deeper, discussing how to structure the company and ensure smooth operation.
Irina watched them chat. She wasn't surprised by Professor Fox's insights into broadcasting since he was a professional. She was amazed that Hardy seed to know just as much. She carefully observed him, feeling he understood everything, explaining his rapid success in various ventures.
"Professor Fox, would you be interested in becoming the president of ABC?" Hardy extended an invitation, reaching out his hand.
Professor Fox had expected this, smiling as he shook Hardy's hand, "I'd be honored. Managing a national broadcasting company has always been my dream. Now I finally have the chance."
"ABC is just an empty shell now. Once you beco president, you'll need to fill it."
"That's even better. During my years teaching, I've been thinking about creating the best broadcasting structure. Now I finally have the chance to try it," Professor Fox said happily.
Andy returned, holding a preliminary agreent. The formal contract required paynt and signatures, with Hardy's personal signature.
Hardy reviewed the agreent and instructed Andy to arrange a loan with Wells Fargo.
Wells Fargo, a strategic partner of HD Company, readily agreed to lend Hardy 10 million, using the valuable Playboy magazine as collateral.
With the funds secured, Hardy personally led a team to Springfield, including Andy's team, President Fox, and the secretary, Irina.
Both parties signed the formal agreent at the Springfield Hotel, and Hardy finally acquired the coveted ABC Radio Company.
Hardy decided not to change the na, as ABC (Arican Broadcasting Corporation) was catchy and morable.
Returning to Los Angeles, Hardy instructed President Fox to take over the television stations and manage the broadcasting company.
The next day, the telephone company conducted a maintenance visit to Noble's house and the candy company, discreetly removing the eavesdropping devices from their phones.
Cleaning up after operations is a crucial skill for a security team.
Fox began assembling a team and organizing the broadcasting company, which would take a month or two. anwhile, they could produce several programs.
What programs would attract audiences in this era? Hardy wrote down so ideas.
News programs like "30 Minutes News," "Global Perspective," "International News," and "Political and Economic Talk."
Cartoons were essential.
Hardy's first thought was "Ultraman." Without the original script, they could use a suit and so monsters, creating hours of content. Hollywood writers could easily produce a hundred episodes.
For affordable and popular animated shows, "Teletubbies" and "In the Night Garden" ca to mind. With puppeteers, they could create "Sesa Street," quickly capturing children's attention.
MTV, or music videos, could be introduced, a concept not yet developed. This required patenting.
Television shopping was another idea, airing in the afternoon for housewives at ho. They could demonstrate products like Estee Lauder costics, clothes, bags, shoes, costics, kitchen items, and baby products.
Television shopping had endless possibilities, even selling their televisions. This concept didn't exist yet and would surely attract many viewers.
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