Chapter 155: Finalize WWE broadcast contract
March 1, 1998.
UPN Television Network.
On this day, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and the UPN TV network under the Golden Dawn Entertainment Group officially signed a broadcast contract under the witness of a group of American media reporters.
The content of the contract is as follows:
One, from now on, each WWE arena wrestling entertainment project will be broadcasted by UPN TV network throughout, and UPN TV network has the right to edit and comment before and after the program is broadcast;
Second, the contract signing period is 6 years;
Third, in the first year, UPN TV will pay US$9 million in copyright fees, and for the next 5 years, additional copyright fees will be increased by 10% each year;
Fourth, UPN TV network owns half of the portrait rights of WWE show contestants;
......
More than a dozen pieces of content since then limited the relevant regulations such as liquidated damages.
There is nothing to keep confidential about the content of the contract. After it was exposed to the media reporters, it was time for the reporters on the spot to ask questions.
Well, the number of media reporters who came here to witness today is quite large, and there are enough from more than 30 media newspapers.
After all, the UPN TV network that owns "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "America's Got Talent" shows is no longer Wu Xia Amon. Looking at all the TV platforms in the United States, it also has a place.
On the podium, the representatives of the two sides are WWE President Vince McMann and UPN President Donna Langley.
"Hello, Ms. Donna, I’m Lilith Emmons, a reporter for the Global Times Entertainment Edition. Your company is the top ten paid limited TV network in the United States. What is the reason for this cooperation with WWE? consider?"
A female reporter took the lead to ask a question.
Upon hearing this, Ms. Donna laughed immediately.
"Miss Emmons, and friends from journalists, although our UPN TV network is the top ten paid limited TV network in the United States, we also have excellent programs like "America's Got Talent", but this does not mean that we Will not innovate."
Donna smiled and said: "Since our UPN TV network was established, many of its TV variety shows are basically self-produced. This time our cooperation with WWE is the first cooperation with an external company since the establishment of UPN. It undertakes extraordinary responsibilities. Meaning."
After a pause, he said: "Of course, WWE itself is a very good show. Here, I also want to inform film and television variety production companies in the United States and the world, as long as your creativity is amazing enough, as long as your program is enough Excellent, our UPN TV network is always willing to give you a chance and a broadcasting platform."
Then, several reporters from many newspapers asked Donna questions.
have praise;
have disdain;
is more difficult.
Facing these journalists of different professions, Ms. Donna did not have stage fright, and answered all their questions very smoothly and wittily.
buddy, think about it!
Donna Langlei is in the original time and space history, but as the president of Universal Pictures Group, one of the six major Hollywood companies, can she not deal with the general difficulties of journalists and pediatrics?
Don't be too simple buddy!
Of course, reporters’ questions are not limited to Donna alone. As the other protagonist at the signing site, WWE President Vince McMann, he is naturally inevitably asked by reporters.
"It is a great honor for me to cooperate with UPN Television Network, Vince McMann." Vince McMann solemnly said.
I feel honored?
--This is real!
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), established in 1954, is a world-class sports entertainment (professional wrestling) and media-integrated listed company. Its operating income sources include movies, music, copyright, and marketing in addition to professional wrestling competitions. And other related industries.
Annual turnover exceeds 600 million US dollars!
There are more than 70,000 employees worldwide, and the number of audiences in countries around the world is as high as 2 billion. Every episode of the program will attract thousands of people to watch. In 2009, it will watch every episode. The average number of people is as high as 20 million.
Its peak market value was as high as 7 billion U.S. dollars.
But!
But remember, this is the WWE of the future, not the present!
Today's WWE is just one of many entertainment projects in the United States.
WWE, the full name is World Wrestling Entertainment.
Wrestling is different from wrestling!
It is not a sports competition event, it is just a sports "entertainment" event. Players' behavior and competition results, etc., have scripts and stipulate the outcome. Well, similar to action movies, please remember that it is not a fighting competitive sport, which is very different from wrestling.
So let alone the beginning of 1998, even at its peak, its ratings are far inferior to sports programs such as rugby and basketball. After all, it is always just a show entertainment program.
"Moreover, the current WWE is not invincible in this project!"
"It has competitors!"
WCW (World Championship Wrestling), established in 1995, is the biggest competitor of WWE!
The programs of both sides are broadcast on different channels at the same time every Monday night, and various tricks are used to win the attention of the audience, which is known as the "Monday Night War" in history. In order to kill each other, both sides almost used all their strength, and the choice of broadcasting platform has become a key battleground.
Due to the limitations of the performance program itself, American public television stations such as NBC, ABC, CBS, etc., do not look at WWE and WCW. Because they have a lot of cheap and excellent programs to choose from.
UPN TV network is indeed inferior to these TV station giants, but compared to WWE, it can only be broadcast on local small TV stations, which is far beyond.
As the president of WWE, Vince McMann, how can he not be mad?
Actually ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ He is so happy!
In order to defeat WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and to gain the full support of UPN Television Network, as the president of WWE, Vince McMann even offered to Ms. Donna that he would sell part of his WWE shares at a low price. Deepen the cooperation between the two parties.
"Ha ha!"
After learning the news, Zhuke smiled and said: "There is no reason not to eat the fat that was delivered to the door. However, 10% equity is too small, you tell Vince McMann, at least 35%."
black!
too dark!
In the end, Vince McMan could only grit his teeth and agree, but after some bargaining, Zucker took a 20% stake in WWE and paid US$20 million.
That's right!
Today's WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), its market value is not high, only 100 million US dollars, and it is not listed, it is completely inferior to its future peak market value of 7 billion US dollars.
In the history of the original time and space, WWE eventually defeated WCW and successfully acquired it.
There is no doubt that Zhuke succeeded in finding the leak again.
In fact, Zhu Ke, who is now worth close to 2 billion US dollars, doesn't care much about how much money he makes. He just really enjoys this feeling of picking up leaks.
...
March 2nd.
The selection of the male and female protagonists of "Spartan 300 Warriors", the selection of related roles such as the second and third males, completely kicked off the curtain.
Actors and actresses such as Matt Damon, Jacques Phoenix, Vigo Mortensen (Aragon in the Lord of the Rings), Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, etc. , As many as hundreds of people came to the role selection scene.
