Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Acquisition of ABC Broadcasting Company
Back at the company, Noble quickly contacted the tire factory owner, Alderman, only to receive shocking news.
"Alderman was hit by a stray bullet during a robbery and is currently recovering in the hospital," the representative from the tire factory reported. "He's decided not to participate in the ABC bidding."
Noble was taken aback. He had not anticipated this turn of events.
He then reached out to the boss of Paramount. After a lengthy delay, the call was answered, and Noble learned that the Paramount team had not arrived in Springfield as planned.
"I sent the vice president and a few assistants. They should have been there by now. Why haven't they shown up?" the Paramount boss inquired.
With communication being a challenge, the whereabouts of Paramount's team remained unclear, leaving Noble in a difficult position. He couldn't help but wonder if Paramount had used the situation to play a trick on him, given their previous refusals.
Frustrated, Noble ended the call and focused on the remaining negotiations.
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The following day, negotiations continued with only the HD Group present. Andy and Noble sat across from each other as they worked through the terms. The final offer from HD was $12 million, and after some back-and-forth, Noble accepted the price, though he was wary of the implications.
Noble agreed to the payment structure proposed by Andy: a third of the amount up front, with the remainder paid in two additional installments over the next year.
Andy returned to Hardy with good news. "Mr. Noble has agreed to sell for $12 million. We just need to finalize the payment details and sign the formal contract."
Hardy was pleased with the outcome and instructed Andy to proceed with the agreement.
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The next day, the formal agreement was signed at the Xiangge Hotel. Hardy, along with Andy, Irina, and Professor Fox, officially acquired ABC Broadcasting Company.
Hardy chose to retain the name ABC, valuing its strong and memorable branding—American Broadcasting Corporation.
Returning to Los Angeles, Hardy directed Fox to oversee the transition and development of the new broadcasting company. Fox was tasked with organizing the structure and operations of ABC.
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Meanwhile, the Paramount team, having escaped their captivity, made their way back to their city, relieved to be free. The days they spent in the abandoned factory were harrowing, and they were eager to return home.
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In a café in Los Angeles, Hardy discussed the future of ABC with Professor Fox and Irina. They explored various strategies for making the broadcasting company a success.
"To reflect the value of media, our station must have strong news programs," Fox advised. "We should also include current affairs, entertainment, and educational content. We need programs that cater to all viewers, including housewives and families."
Hardy took notes on the suggestions and began planning the content for ABC. His ideas included:
- **News Programs**: "News Thirty Minutes," "Global Sight," "International News," "Current Political Economy."
- **Animated Cartoons**: Introducing shows like "Ultraman" (renamed to Hardy Ultraman) and other engaging content for children.
- **Educational Programs**: Such as "Sesame Street" to captivate younger audiences.
- **TV Shopping**: A unique venture to showcase products directly to viewers, with a focus on items like cosmetics, clothing, and kitchen supplies.
Hardy also planned to introduce a patentable concept for TV shopping to ensure it remained exclusive to ABC. This innovative approach aimed to leverage TV as a powerful marketing tool, potentially boosting sales for products from Hardy's wineries and other ventures.
As the plans unfolded, Hardy and his team prepared for the exciting future of ABC Broadcasting Company.
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