Jeff Zucker is 38 years old this year, and he is at the helm of New Universal's TV and media department, which can definitely be regarded as young and promising.

Of course, Kevin Turner, the head of the interactive entertainment department, is the same age as him, and he is also the key training object of the second echelon of the New Globe Group.

Barry Diller will retire in 5 years!

When he retires, it is no surprise that President Robert Iger will take over as CEO.

So, who does the position of president and chief operating officer belong to?

Since the beginning of this year, Donn has strongly supported the Interactive Entertainment Department, not only focusing on promoting Netflix's business, but also increasing R&D funding for Blizzard, Dolby Laboratories, and IMAX.

It can be described as a key focus.

Kevin Turner also rose to prominence and became a big celebrity next to Donn.

Quite favored.

The same head of a large department, how can Jeff Zucker endure it?

His ambitions are no lower than anyone else's!

The group's focus is not on the TV business, so he came up with the best plan and amazing plan!

Donne Walker, Barry Diller, they can't open their mouths if they want to refuse!

Indeed, he succeeded.

His analysis and understanding of Discovery Communications impressed Barry Diller, and made Donn change his mind and make a big bet on the television industry.

"Jeff, I've read your M&A report on Discovery Communications, it's wonderful. Donn invited Jeff Zucker into the parlor and treated him as an equal, with no leadership shelf.

Jeff Zucker confidently said: "I'm a TV person, and in the field of TV, I have my understanding. ”

Don nodded, "Let's talk about it specifically, what are the strategies and policies for exploring the improvement of the communication company?"

Jeff Zucker said: "The United States has the most developed television network in the world, and it will inevitably face the fiercest market competition. Television channels in the United States are mainly divided into three categories: the first category is comprehensive television channels such as NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC; the second category is professional channels such as MTV and Discovery Channel, which focus on news, sports, entertainment, science and education, and other fields with obvious distinctions; and the third category is HBO, Starz, Homeland TV, and other narrowcast personalized channels. ”

"Here, we're just talking about the professional channel. ”

"They all have a huge user base, cover the whole United States, and the ratings are no worse than those of free-air TV stations, not to mention, they have a huge influence on global music. However, the Discovery Channel is different, this is a documentary channel. ”

"Taking the United States as an example, generally speaking, the highest single program rating of Discovery Channel will not exceed 3%, its share in the cable TV market will not exceed 4%, and the average daily viewership of the channel will not exceed 0.6%. It can be said that such poor ratings will inevitably lose the confidence of advertisers, which will affect revenue. ”

Tang En nodded, "Although Discovery Communications has multiple channels, it is mainly based on Discovery Channel. This is a low-cost subscription channel, and if the advertising revenue is insufficient, I am afraid it will not be enough to shoot and produce more excellent documentaries. The lack of good TV shows will further depress ratings, and it's a vicious circle. ”

"That's right, a vicious circle!"

Jeff Zucker paused for a moment and said: "In order to increase revenue, Discovery Communications has taken two main measures: first, increase the price of channel subscriptions, and second, produce more gimmicky documentaries to gain eyeballs and increase ratings. ”

Don's face was indifferent.

Raising the price of your subscription is obviously not a good idea.

Channels like HBO and Starz will also raise their prices, because this is a niche channel, specifically for the elite who can pay.

However, the Discovery Channel is different, it broadcasts documentaries of humanities, science and education, etc., which are not very entertaining.

If this is a price increase...... People don't watch it!

As for the production of gimmicky documentaries, Tang En is not optimistic, this kind of quick success and quick profit behavior is suspected of drinking water to quench thirst.

"That's what you mentioned in your report, exploring the strategy of communication companies to kill themselves?"

"That's right!" Jeff Zucker looked very confident, "the managers of the exploration communication company have not recognized the advantages and disadvantages of documentaries at all!"

Don smiled, "Needless to say, the shortcomings are boring, casual, and lack of interest, which can be understood, what are the advantages of documentaries?"

"Pattern!"

"Pattern?"

"That's right, documentaries have a much bigger global landscape than Hollywood movies, "Harry Potter" and "Gone Girl" bestsellers!"

Don's eyes lit up, and he already understood what he was about to say.

After all, he has already discussed this in his report.

Jeff Zucker said: "Documentaries, like cartoons, are not limited by language. However, while cartoons have a contemporary character, documentaries can transcend time. There is also a wider range of material for documentaries. Discovery Communication has a global presence, but because overseas revenue is too small, their main perspective is on China, which is putting the cart before the horse. ”

"The Discovery Channel needs to position its products in the global audience market through the concept of boutiques, so that its audience scope will inevitably expand several times, rather than having a name of 1.5 billion users with almost no actual viewership. Discovery Channel should adopt a market-oriented and professional operation mode, and each work must be carefully planned and professionally produced, and the audience must be accurately positioned to achieve the purpose of global marketing. ”

"To put it bluntly, TV channels like MTV make money on advertising revenue. However, Discovery Channel must not go this route. They sell commercials, Discovery Channel sells products, documentaries that sell the world!"

Tang En said lightly: "The concept of boutique has always been admired by Starz TV, and we have operational experience in this area. But how do you achieve precise positioning? How do you ensure the economic benefits of high investment and big production? Documentary...... It's not a movie or a TV entertainment program, and there is no similar experience in the world. ”

"Market Research!"

Jeff Zucker was clearly prepared, and he blurted out, "For every investment, we have to conduct scientific preliminary research - the demand for subscribers to the show, product sales, rights purchases, etc. Then, with the Discovery Channel as the source, the production and broadcast of products are carried out, and the effect of cultivating the product market is achieved at the same time. ”

"If the expected goal is achieved in the early stage, the same materials will be used to further produce derivative products, such as audio-visual products, books and periodicals. Even though we sold Mifflin Publishing, we were able to do peripheral licensing, which is likely to be of interest to publishers. The development and promotion of these derivative products are an important part of the documentary production industry chain. ”

"In the development and integration of a full set of industries, we should also pay attention to the development of intangible products. For example, the tourism, adventure, archaeology and other programs under the Discovery Channel can plan themed activities for on-site experience. Through the channel publicity of the group company, it will attract the participation of many outdoor sports enthusiasts and ordinary consumers, which will undoubtedly greatly enhance the recognition of the 'Discovery' brand. ”

That's a good point.

But this set of theories ...... How similar is it to David Saslav, who took office in 2007 and led Discovery Communications to the top?

Hey?

Wrong!

David Saslav is a television producer from NBC, while Jeff Zucker ...... Previously, he was the main person in charge of NBC's TV production department!

Don't?

Donn's eyes lit up and he asked, "Jeff, do you know anyone?" ”

"David?" Jeff Zucker was slightly stunned, "You know him?"

Done's eyes brightened, "You know each other?"

Jeff Zucker said: "I know, he used to be my colleague, he is an assistant of mine, he has a strong work ability, and he has a lot of wonderful ideas. After I left NBC, I heard about ...... He seems to have been promoted to vice president of the TV production department, the No. 3 real power person. ”

Really!

Sure enough!

It's no wonder that Jeff Zucker was able to come up with such a theory.

It turned out that they were all the same!

It's all family.

Don nodded and said, "Jeff, in principle, I agree to the acquisition of Discovery Communications. You can take full responsibility for this case and report it to Barry. Trading Hours...... It's set for the first quarter of next year, do you have any consideration in terms of price?"

Jeff Zucker was so excited that he was unstable, rubbed his hands, looked impatient, and said, "The price ...... It shouldn't be more than MGM's acquisition!"

The latest development on MGM's acquisition, Barry Diller has approved a $4.2 billion cash deal.

This time, Cork Corkerian did not reply to refuse.

I didn't say yes directly, and I should still be waiting for bids from other companies.

Mostly Sony.

Discovery Communications, Inc., went public in 2005-2006 and has a market capitalization of between $5 billion and $6 billion.

Now in 2003, that's between $3 billion and $4 billion.

Tang En bowed his head and said: "Yes, at this price, as long as it comes to next year in the blink of an eye, we can eat it relatively smoothly." Also, after the acquisition is completed, what are your thoughts on exploring the management of the communications company?"

"This ......"

Jeff Zucker hesitated, "I haven't considered it yet, and if it really doesn't work, I'll take on that position until Discovery Communications is on the right track." ”

Don smiled, "Didn't I mention someone to you just now?"

"David?"

Jeff Zucker's eyes widened.

"That's right!"

"His qualifications, I'm afraid ......" Jeff Zucker didn't quite believe.

Donn laughs, "You can also serve as the chairman of Discovery Communications and make him the CEO." The position is low, and it is more difficult to poach, so you can consider it for a while. ”

Jeff Zucker was still not sure, and it was not good to reject the opinion of the big boss so directly, so he said a little perfunctorily: "Okay, I'll sort out this case first, and then think about the management." ”

He had already decided that he would meet David Saslav privately a few times in the next few months to talk carefully.

If it is not suitable, he will definitely advise him based on reason! I want to talk about "Heads-up Hollywood" with more like-minded people, and pay attention to "excellent reading literature" on WeChat, talk about life, and find a confidant~