In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

"The ratings are 90%?" Lin Haoran was also surprised when he heard Shao Yifu's words.

He knew that his speech on Jade Channel would definitely bring a lot of ratings to the channel.

But after making that speech, he wasn't sure how much viewership would be left that night.

Now, even Lin Haoran was deeply surprised when he learned about TVB's final ratings. It was completely beyond his imagination.

Doesn’t that mean that almost no one watched ATV last night?
"This is absolutely thanks to you, Haoran. If it weren't for your brilliant performance, the ratings of Jade Channel last night would never have soared so much. It looks like our advertising revenue will increase significantly again this month.

As for ATV, they have been suffering losses in the past few months. I think ATV may follow in the footsteps of Jiayi TV.

If they can't make it, they might have to close down, and by then, TVB might really dominate the Hong Kong television industry!" Run Run Shaw laughed heartily.

As early as a few years ago, there were three television stations in Hong Kong, and the competition was fierce. However, due to poor management, ATV had already withdrawn from the market as early as 1978.

In Run Run Shaw's eyes, Rediffusion Television, the oldest television network in Hong Kong, seems to have fallen into the same predicament as ATV.

If the downward trend cannot be reversed, the fate of closure may be quietly approaching.

After hearing what Shao Yifu said, Lin Haoran smiled and said, "Sixth Uncle, don't even think about this kind of good thing. The TV station's control of public opinion is much stronger than that of the newspaper. The Governor's Office will not allow us to monopolize the TV industry.

Moreover, now that the Hong Kong TV license is no longer available, if the parent company of Rediffusion Television no longer wants to operate, it will choose to sell Rediffusion Television instead of closing it down!"

The reason why Lin Haoran said this is because he knew that the current ATV would become Asia Television in the future.

It is impossible for both TV stations to go bankrupt, at least before the 21st century.

Hearing this, Shaw Yi-fu's excitement faded slightly, and he nodded thoughtfully: "You are right, I am too optimistic. The Governor's Office will not sit idly by and watch TVB dominate the market. Competition in the television industry is also an important part of maintaining the Governor's Office's rule over Hong Kong.

As for ATV, if it really comes to that and is taken over by other forces, they will most likely increase their investment again and become our new competitor.

Just like when ATV was still around, the three TV stations were in a three-way competition. At that time, our monthly expenditure at TVB was much higher than it is now. Otherwise, without high-quality works, the ratings would be snatched away by other TV stations. It seems that we have to prepare for the rainy day and be ready to deal with new competitors. "

Lin Haoran's words completely woke up Shao Yifu's fantasy.

And in the outside world.

That night, TVB news announced the ratings of the two TV stations from the previous day, and spent six minutes explaining this glorious moment for TVB.

Just as Run Run Shaw and others had expected, the news that TVB's ratings exceeded 90% shocked the whole of Hong Kong as soon as it came out.

Everyone knows what a viewership rate of over 90% means.

The New Year’s Eve Gala program of ATV accounts for less than 10%?

This comparison undoubtedly exposed the gap between TVB and ATV nakedly to the public, and it was like a heavy hammer that hit the hearts of ATV's management hard.

On the other side of the broadcast channel, there was also an uproar within ATV. The disastrous ratings last night were like a bolt from the blue and there was no way to cover it up.

The employees looked at each other in shock, but more importantly, they were deeply worried about their future.

The closure of Jiayi TV is as vivid as if it happened yesterday, and has become an indelible shadow in their hearts.

At this moment, they couldn't help but start to worry about their own fate.

"Is Rediffusion Television really going to come to an end?" Such doubts quietly spread in the hearts of every employee like weeds and could not be shaken off.

"Then won't we be unemployed?" Feelings of fear and anxiety quickly spread among colleagues, and the entire TV station seemed to be shrouded in a thick haze, making it so depressing that people couldn't breathe.

Many employees within ATV began secretly preparing for a rainy day.

There are only two television stations in Hong Kong, so they have very few career options to choose from.

If ATV really goes bankrupt, then their best option would be to work for TVB.

The number of employees at Keli's TV station is no less than that of TVB.

Once ATV really goes bankrupt, it will be very difficult to switch to TVB.

Now, if you prepare in advance, you may be able to seize the initiative.

This idea began to spread among the employees of ATV.

When the news of the dismal ratings for Rediffusion Television's New Year's Eve Gala reached its parent company, Rediffusion Television UK, even the experienced company executives were stunned and incredulous.

After all, this huge evening party had been reported to them in detail and approved from the beginning of its preparation.

However, such a carefully planned feast ended up with such poor ratings, which was undoubtedly a heavy blow and heartbreaking.

At this moment, within the British Rediffusion Company, the idea of ​​selling Rediffusion TV became increasingly stronger and almost became a final decision.

The hesitation and wait-and-see attitude of the senior management disappeared at this moment. Faced with such a subsidiary that was in a continuous downturn and difficult to boost, it seemed meaningless to continue to retain it.

Rediffusion Television, once a rising star under the British company Rediffusion, has now become a "hopeless loser" in the eyes of the public, which is a pity. The continuous losses are unbearable for anyone.

In fact, in another time and space trajectory, the British Rediffusion Company did transfer its 3% stake to an Australian consortium in March.

In the following year or so, Rediffusion Television changed hands again and was taken over by Qiu Degen, chairman of the Far East Group.

In 1988, it was acquired again by Lin Baixin of the Li & Fung Group.

Every transfer is like throwing a huge rock into a calm lake, triggering a new wave of competition.

Although the terrifying data of TVB's audience rating exceeding 90% caused a heated discussion among citizens, it was not a big deal after all.

Therefore, citizens are more concerned about another thing.

How will the Governor-General's Office punish Jardine Matheson?

Three mainstream media outlets were directly banned, and they were just accomplices. The real murderer was Jardine Matheson.

So no one believed that the Governor-General's Office would let Jardine Matheson go just like that.

While everyone was discussing the matter, they were also waiting for the final decision from the Governor's Office.

Lin Haoran was naturally very concerned about this matter.

On the morning of January 1, he received a message: Henry Keswick, the former boss of Jardine Matheson, arrived in Hong Kong again.

Without guessing, Lin Haoran also knew that Henry Keswick must have come to deal with the affairs of Jardine Matheson.

However, Lin Haoran cannot intervene in this matter for the time being. After all, the Governor's Office is the party that suffered the greatest losses this time.

As for Lin Haoran, although he suffered a little from public opinion in the early stage, he was the biggest beneficiary.

That night, Lin Haoran received news that Henry Keswick led his team into the Governor's Palace to negotiate with the Governor's Palace.

He had no idea of ​​the outcome of the negotiations. After all, it was the Governor's Office, and his intelligence range could not extend beyond it.

Time soon came to May 1th.

Although the matter of Jardine Matheson has caused a lot of controversy these days, neither the Governor's Office nor the Department of Justice has disclosed any progress to the public.

Therefore, even the citizens thought that the matter was over.

Unexpectedly, the Governor's Office issued another announcement that morning.

In view of the recent serious violations of Jardine Matheson, including but not limited to market manipulation, buying media impartiality and damaging public interests, the Governor-General's Office, after in-depth investigation and careful consideration, has decided to impose the following penalties on Jardine Matheson:

1. A fine of HK$500 million in cash, which must be paid in full within one month from the date of the announcement, as a punishment for its illegal behavior and to warn other companies not to repeat the same mistakes.

2. Jardine Matheson must conduct a comprehensive overhaul of its internal management system to ensure strict compliance with Hong Kong laws and regulations in the future, maintain fair competition in the market, and protect the public interest. The rectification plan must be reviewed and approved by the Governor-General's Office and implemented within the prescribed time limit.

3. The Governor-General’s Office will set up a special supervision team to continuously monitor the implementation of Jardine Matheson’s rectification to ensure that it fulfills its commitments. If there is any violation, further severe measures will be taken in accordance with the law.

4. Regarding the actual planning and execution role of Mr. Bao Fuda, former executive director of Jardine Matheson, in a series of illegal incidents, the Governor's Office has confirmed after an in-depth investigation that his actions have seriously violated the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and caused great damage to the public interest and market order. In view of the fact that Mr. Bao Fuda has fled Hong Kong, the Governor's Office hereby announces:
1. Mr. Bao Fuda will be banned from entering Hong Kong forever to show severe punishment for his illegal behavior and to maintain the legal dignity and social order of Hong Kong.

2. The Governor-General’s Office will continue to work closely with international law enforcement agencies to track the whereabouts of Mr. Bao Fuda and reserves the right to take further legal action against him, including but not limited to extradition, prosecution and recovery of illegal gains.

……

When seeing this announcement, Lin Haoran couldn't help but be shocked.

A fine of HK$500 million?
This was apparently the final resolution reached after a series of negotiations between Henry Keswick and the Governor-General's Office after his arrival in Hong Kong.

The severity of this punishment is rare.

HK$500 million is definitely not a small sum in this era.

You should know that among the listed companies in Hong Kong, those with a market value of more than HK$500 million are enough to be among the top 100.

Today, Jardine Matheson was directly fined HK$500 million for manipulating public opinion. This is definitely the largest fine in Hong Kong's history and is unprecedented.

Under Lin Haoran's continuous attacks in recent months, Jardine Matheson has been severely damaged and almost lost all its business in Hong Kong.

Now, with the addition of a fine of HK$500 million from the Governor's Office, it is like adding insult to injury, as if a large piece of meat was cut off from one's body.

Even Lin Haoran was very satisfied with the punishment decision of the Governor's Office.

By making the evidence public, he directly used the power of the Governor's Office to avenge himself, which was undoubtedly an extremely brilliant strategy.

Killing someone with a borrowed knife is a really great way. (End of this chapter)