Chapter 658: Chapter 658: Taking the Opportunity to Clean Up
At night, after leaving Santa Barbara and returning to the Star, Charles reflected, now NBC's competitor wasn't FNC, but CNN, CBS, and ABC. They were in the same camp, but under Charles's strict orders, NBC had to remain neutral. However, the journalists inside leaned left!
"What's up, Charles," Ivanka Trump saw Charles sitting on the bed lost in thought and walked over to kiss him.
"Nothing," Charles reached out to pull Ivanka onto his lap. "Heading back to New York tomorrow, huh?"
"Yes, are you coming too?" Ivanka asked, hugging Charles around the neck.
"Maybe later, it's not the right time now," Charles said, holding Ivanka and starting to kiss her.
In a moment, Ivanka knelt in front of Charles...
"Boss, anything?" Charles called his assistant, Phyllis Jones.
"Inform NBC to hire Megan Kelly and the group of hosts who left FNC," Charles said, a bit urgently, one hand on his phone and the other on Ivanka's hair. "I don't care if those hosts are left or right politically, I want ratings. Get NBC to cooperate quickly and seize this opportunity to boost its ratings!"
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Charles exhaled deeply as Ivanka struggled to get up from the carpet, covering her mouth, giving Charles a resentful look, and then wiping her mouth with a tissue.
...
Los Angeles, Burbank, Capet Pictures NBC Office.
NBC President Rick Kaplan, NBC Television Group Chairman Phil Griffin, and Charles sat together in the office.
"Isn't it too soon to hire Megan Kelly and the group from Fox?" Rick Kaplan thought it might not be a good idea since NBC's own hosts weren't having big problems. Besides, recruiting right after Fox's trouble seemed too obvious.
Charles shook his head. "Not too soon. Let's either terminate or transfer the low-rated hosts in NBC. We're not the only ones eying this chance, other networks are too!"
Of course, Charles didn't mention that scandals of racism, sexual harassment, and more would soon erupt at CNN, NBC, CBS, etc. The Republicans, having suffered at Fox, would surely strike back. After meeting Rupert Murdoch in Santa Barbara, Charles understood the balance.
Like the purge in the film industry after the Harvey Weinstein incident, the TV networks were due for a cleanup too.
"The key is Megan Kelly; she's hugely popular. Some of her views may not align, but we can guide her. NBC needs its ratings up," Phil Griffin reminded. "As for other hosts who left Fox due to harassment accusations, we don't need to focus on them."
Rick Kaplan understood. CNN, the Democratic voice, was also a major rival.
"We also need to keep an eye on CNBC, Syfy, Bravo, and other cable channels. If problems arise, deal with them promptly," Charles said, standing up. "For the group's IPO plan, there must be no negative news!"
If NBC had a scandal like Fox, the IPO would be doomed.
Rick Kaplan broke into a cold sweat and quickly nodded. In their positions, there was no such thing as cleanliness.
"Don't worry, we'll purge any troublemakers inside NBC," Phil Griffin, whom Charles promoted to replace Jeff Green, fully supported Charles's actions. "I've approved Andy Lack's resignation as CNBC President; let's quickly fill the position."
"CNBC was NBC's flagship business news channel, but ratings have declined recently," Rick pondered. "I suspect production issues. See if we can poach popular business news anchors from other stations, sign them..."
...
In the evening, Charles returned tired to the ranch villa in San Luis Obispo. Britney was about to give birth, so Evelyn Capet stayed there most of the time handling work.
Following the Fox executive sexual harassment exposure, ABC's morning show Good Morning America suspended one of its hosts for an affair. CBS suspended its evening news host Charlie Rose for repeated harassment allegations. NBC's Today Show host Matt Lauer was suspended for harassment, and CNN faced numerous severe issues with executives and hosts involved in scandals.
The string of scandals led to a new wave of feminist movements in America.
"Charles, you're making big moves!" Evelyn was surprised; NBC Content Production President Bonnie Hammer and CNBC Business News President Andy Lack both left. "These are president-level; you fired them?"
"Hadn't done a major overhaul at NBC before; now's the time to replace them. It's a good chance," Charles's eyes gleamed. "After acquiring NBCUniversal, I only replaced some top execs at Universal Pictures, not NBC below the chairman. Now, we're cleaning house, showing our resolve."
Evelyn understood; Charles Capet was clearing out Jewish executives at Capet Universal. "No problems with this?" she asked.
"No worries, we have successors at CNBC, and I've been growing sports and entertainment channels. The deputy in content production is neutral," Charles smirked. "Though we lost some hosts, we hired Megan Kelly and others from Fox. NBC will be neutral, not just left-leaning."
Evelyn shook her head. "Didn't ABC always claim neutrality too?"
It was a joke. Executive will dictated TV bias, and many American TV execs were Jewish. Yet, Hollywood's strongest media group now had fewer Jewish executives traditionally, though lower levels still had some.
"Jews are useful if you offer benefits, they'll do anything. Just don't give them power," Charles grinned. "I'm going to check on Britney!"
*****
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