A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Time flies, and it is already 1986.

On the first working day after New Year's Day, Chen Mengyi, the president of the Media Group, drove a van into the Times Cinema in Clearwater Bay.

After thirty years of development, this place has long become Hong Kong's 'entertainment mecca'. Both Era Films and Asia Television have offices here, with three to four thousand people working here every day.

In addition, the "Songcheng" tourism project of "Times Cinema" is also very successful, attracting overseas tourists to visit. As a result, the nearby Times Hotel has maintained an occupancy rate of over 95%.

The Mercedes-Benz van pulled up in front of the Asia Television (ATV) administration building at Times Cinema. A female bodyguard quickly opened the car door for Chen Mengyi, and the powerful woman who controlled Hong Kong's media industry stepped out of the car with a flourish.

Chen Mengyi was dressed in formal attire, and her walk was quite unsettling. She was modeled after her father, and was not an "easy-to-get-along-with" boss for her employees.

However, both Chen Guangliang and Chen Mengyi are definitely good bosses, because the salaries of their employees in the same industry already speak for themselves.

A boss who's always smiling isn't necessarily a good boss; he might just be making empty promises. Conversely, a boss who always has a stern face isn't necessarily a bad boss, because he's actually providing you with the best benefits.

Employees come to work and earn money, not to make friends.

Good morning, Ms. Chen.

"morning"

The employees are used to calling Chen Mengyi "Ms. Chen" or "Boss" because they all know that Chen Mengyi is "Sir Chen's daughter" and "a successful businesswoman". As for Chen Mengyi's husband, everyone only knows that he is a financier and not a second-generation rich kid.

Therefore, it's impossible for Chen Mengyi to take her husband's surname, let alone be a devoted wife and mother. She even threw herself into her work after giving birth to one son, clearly not wanting to have any more children.

morning.

ATV CEO Chow Leung Suk-yee walked in with a smile on her face.

"Chairman"

Chen Mengyi immediately stood up from her desk, walked to the conference table, and said, "President Liang, let's have a meeting today to discuss the development of ATV. I won't call all the senior executives; we can discuss it just with you!"

"it is good"

In this respect, Chen Mengyi delegates a lot of authority, but she also holds onto it tightly.

Whether it's Asia Television, or Era Films and Era Brokerage, they all operate under a professional management model, but the chairman is Chen Mengyi, who still holds the highest management authority.

After the two women sat down, Chen Mengyi began to speak: "I have already learned about ATV's financial situation last year. The overall situation was as expected. After three consecutive years of losses of HK$1.5 million, last year (1985) the loss was only HK$5000 million, which I can accept."

In late 1981, Chow Leung Suk-yee took over as CEO of ATV and immediately launched a "money-spending campaign." While TVB made a net profit of over 100 million in a year, she lost over 100 million in a year.

In four years, she lost a whopping HK$5 million. If it were any other conglomerate, they would have fired her long ago.

Zhou Liang Shuyi quickly said, "This year, ATV will definitely be profitable. Everyone thinks so."

There was no other way. The original RTV (Rediffusion Television) had a weak foundation. After Chow Leung Suk-yee took office, beauty pageants required money, producing more and bigger-cast dramas required money, and poaching a large number of people from TVB was also very expensive.

Of course, it's not without effect; the viewership ratings are now on par with TVB's at 40/60, and occasionally even 50/50. TVB, having lost many big-name stars, has naturally been greatly affected.

Chen Mengyi nodded and said, "Yes, I believe it's possible. In terms of TV series, we shoot at least twenty every year. The 'Justice Bao' that aired at the end of last year achieved amazing ratings and has recently been slightly surpassing TVB, which is a good thing."

Zhou Liang Shuyi said, "To be honest, at first everyone was not optimistic about the serious drama 'Justice Bao' that you personally selected, thinking that there was no market for serious dramas in Hong Kong. Now it seems that Chairman, you have a unique vision. TVB is indeed in a hurry now."

The script outline for "Justice Bao", adapted from "The Three Heroes and Five Gallants" and folk legends, came from Chan Kwong-leung. Of course, he only wrote a few short stories - "The Case of Chen Shimei", "The Fake Scholar", and "The Prince Replaced by a Civet Cat". Therefore, ATV also adopted the method of filming and broadcasting at the same time.

As for the actors, they were all ATV actors; naturally, no actors from Taiwan were invited.

"Justice Bao" is still airing and has very high ratings, so TVB is in a real hurry.

Chen Mengyi didn't care about her own contribution. She knew who she relied on. She continued, "We must find Zhao Yazhi for 'The New Legend of Bai Nianzi,' even if it takes a long time. We also need to film in mainland China so that the locations are authentic."

Zhou Liang Shuyi naturally wouldn't disobey orders, after all, the Chen family members were very powerful, but also very capable.

She nodded and said, "Zhao Yazhi's contract with TVB expires this year. I have reached an agreement with her privately. She is very willing to join ATV, although the price is indeed high. It has reached HK$8 per episode."

"It is indeed expensive."

"There was nothing I could do. The main problem was that Taiwan wanted to poach her. Many TV stations wanted to invite Zhao Yazhi. I offered her HK$10 per episode and a contract for at least forty episodes before she decided not to go to Taiwan."

Chen Mengyi didn't say anything more. Since her father wrote the outline for "The Legend of the White Snake," she naturally had to accept the actors handpicked by him.

Next.

Chen Mengyi first took out a document and handed it to Zhou Liang Shuyi, saying solemnly, "This is a production outline and requirements for the program. This program needs to be taken very seriously and elevated to the highest level. I will also be involved in the preparation, and the team will have to sign a confidentiality agreement."

Zhou Liang Shuyi was startled because Chen Mengyi's expression was very serious. She quickly said, "Okay. Let me take a look first!"

"millionaire":
Each episode features 10 participants. After advancing through a quick sorting question, they must answer 15 multiple-choice questions with increasing prize amounts. There are two safety lines; an incorrect answer results in either the current safety line prize or the previous highest prize. Participants can use three "lucky draw" cards to assist in answering the questions and can exit the game at any time to take their prize money. There is no time limit; those who are not yet finished will continue in the next episode.
The simple, straightforward, and easy-to-learn gameplay of Millionaire cannot be viewed as a regular game show. It is an innovative game show designed with meticulous planning and theatrical elements, encompassing many factors: setting, music, lighting, computer-generated visuals, host, question design, participants, and live audience.
The millionaire program was designed to give viewers an unconventional television experience, so it featured a grand, modern, high-tech metallic set. This, combined with the music and carefully designed lighting effects, created a refreshing and unique experience.
In addition, the host's control over the overall pace and atmosphere of the program, as well as the carefully selected and engaging questions, are also crucial. Similarly, the contestants' expressive facial expressions can help create captivating moments on the show.
After watching the show, Zhou Liang Shuyi couldn't help but say, "This program is very good, but the investment will also be very large."

Chen Mengyi said confidently, "It's all worth it! This program can not only boost advertising revenue, but also, once it becomes a hit in Hong Kong, it's suitable to sell its program rights to any country in the world. I believe at least dozens of countries will buy our rights. So, we need to have a long-term vision from the very beginning!"

Zhou Liang Shuyi was shocked. This boss was too confident. No wonder he was the pride of the Chen family.

"Alright, I will definitely organize elite troops and make preparations with strict secrecy!"

"Yes, let's prepare for a while longer. It's fine if it airs early next year!"

"Okay." But that wasn't all. Next, Chen Mengyi took out the proposal for "Music Bank" and waited for Zhou Liang Shuyi to read it.

Chen Mengyi said, "I hope that 'Music Bank' will start airing in the second half of next year. At that time, 'Times Management' under the media group will launch boy groups and girl groups. Of course, singers from all over Hong Kong will be invited to participate in the music show promotions. It will be broadcast every week. Things like 'triple crown' and 'five crown' are all hype hotspots."

She didn't need to explain 'Hong Kong pop' to Chow Leung Suk-yee; she just needed to complete the planning step by step, since she was actually involved in these tasks.

"When Times Entertainment was selecting trainees, they were actually preparing to cultivate stars!"

Chen Mengyi revealed a little more, saying, "It's not about cultivating stars, but about mass-producing idols—a completely new entertainment culture. Look at the program's planning."

She handed him another document, which read "Produce 101".

Zhou Liang Shuyi felt that the Chen family was planning something big, or rather, that Chen Mengyi, the apparent boss, was planning something big.

"Produce 101" is a talent show with a total of 11 episodes.

"Is this an internal talent search by Times Entertainment?"

Zhou Liang Shuyi saw through it at a glance, after all, there were no other companies in Hong Kong that were doing 'idol talent shows'.

"That's right. This needs to be broadcast in the first half of next year, and then the boy group or girl group members will be selected from the Times Management team. This will also allow the people of Hong Kong to feel the birth of an idol."

"Great! ATV will definitely cooperate well with Times Management!"

The proposal already states that the production companies are mainly 'Asia Television' and 'Times Media', so it is naturally a collaboration between the two parties.

TV dramas, shows, and idol groups will almost all be appearing one after another in the coming days, and the era of Hong Kong pop culture is finally about to officially begin.

Chen Mengyi couldn't help but wonder how far she could develop Hong Kong pop culture under her father's guidance.

The thought of her father even teaching her dance moves and tunes made her smile. Fortunately, it was a secret between them, otherwise her father's lifelong reputation would have been ruined.

Of course, Chen Mengyi thinks her father is great, having devoted himself to the development of Hong Kong.

If the Hong Kong stock market develops as expected, it could become another economic pillar for Hong Kong after trade, industry, real estate, and finance!
TVB.
Zhuang Zhujiu frowned slightly as he looked at the latest newspaper, then sighed, "I have a feeling that it's not Mengyi giving orders, but rather our father-in-law instructing his daughter!"

Sheng Qi also joined the TVB board of directors at this time, but of course she didn't manage much of the affairs anymore.

At this time, both Zhuang Zhujiu and Sheng Qi were 86 years old, but Zhuang Zhujiu still served as the chairman and general manager of TVB, while Sheng Aiyi was only a director.

Regarding the issue of TVB's successor, Chong Chu-kau has decided to look for a 'professional manager,' but he will retain control of the company. Since Lee Hyau-wah's death, TVB has been under Chong Chu-kau's control.

After the Chan family acquired Hutchison Whampoa, they gradually sold Hutchison Whampoa's TVB shares to Chong Chuk-kau, and Chong Chuk-kau then acquired other shareholders, now holding 30% of the shares.

Of course, Zhuang Zhujiu has also sold all his shares in Times Pictures.

In other words, the Zhuang family and the Chen family were competitors at this time.

Sheng Qi said, "That's easy, just have Yuan Zhen inquire about it."

Zhuang Zhujiu immediately said, "You can try it and see if Yuanzhen will reveal it to you."

Sheng Qi was furious and said, "So what? No matter what, she's still my daughter!"

Despite this, he had no confidence and quickly abandoned the idea.

"If it really is the father-in-law who makes the move, then TVB might not be able to win!"

Zhuang Zhujiu naturally understood that although Times Pictures seemed to have flourished under his leadership, it was actually his father-in-law who had been steering the overall direction. He had a deep understanding of his father-in-law's vision and methods.

However, he quickly added, "How will we know if we don't fight?"

This "competition" doesn't affect the harmony, after all, it's a competition between two television stations.

“Since it’s all about competition, then TVB should just make a ‘Justice Bao’ series!” Sheng Qiyi’s words hit the nail on the head.

Zhuang Zhujiu didn't make a fuss. After all, the ratings for "Justice Bao" were so popular, and the subject matter could be made into a very long series. TVB definitely had to make its own "Justice Bao".

"Yes, ATV has only aired two episodes of 'Justice Bao,' TVB has enough time."

After discussing this matter, Sheng Qi added, "Guo Huonian is acquiring TVB shares from other shareholders. He informed us beforehand. What do you think?"

In TVB's early days, Hutchison Whampoa, HSBC, and American capital each held 220 million shares, while Li Xiaohe and Zhuang Zhujiu held only 20 shares each, and Li Xiaohe's two brothers each held 11 shares. This means that although TVB was founded by Li Xiaohe and Zhuang Zhujiu, foreign capital was the absolute majority shareholder. This was naturally due to the political environment in Hong Kong at the time, which made it impossible to completely hand over such public opinion to Chinese capital.

However, everything has been changing since Hutchison Whampoa was acquired by the Chen family and since the policies on the other side changed.

Now, HSBC and American capital are both looking to cash out, while Guo Huonian, a wealthy businessman from Southeast Asia who came to Hong Kong, is interested in taking over.

Zhuang Zhujiu said, "We have cashed out a lot of funds from Times Pictures. Part of it was used to acquire TVB shares, and part of it was used for investment by future generations. We no longer have enough funds to increase our holdings in TVB. Even if we had the funds, I would not choose to increase our holdings, since we can already control TVB, and ATV is making a big move."

Sheng Qi nodded and said, "You don't need to work so hard anymore. It's good to delegate authority sooner rather than later!"

Zhuang Zhujiu did not answer. Although he was over 86 years old, how could he bear to relinquish power?
He is grooming his grandson to join TVB so that he can at least represent the Chong family at TVB in the future, while management can be left to professional managers.

At this time, the power struggle within Hong Kong's television stations was actually described by the Hong Kong media as a "fight between in-laws".

Everyone in Hong Kong knows that Zhuang Zhujiu's daughter, Zhuang Yuanzhen, married Chen Guangliang's eldest son, Chen Wenjie. Now, each family heads a television station, and while they appear to be competing, it's merely a battle over 'content.' The two families are actually quite amicable. (End of Chapter)