America's Road to Wealth

AMC TV station was originally controlled by the American Rainbow Media Group, a cable television station headquartered in New York.

Its full name is American Classic Movie Cable Channel.

It probably ranks among the top ten in terms of viewership share among American cable TV channels.

If TVB TV stations were included, they wouldn’t even be in the top twenty.

AMC was acquired by Smith Media last year and subsequently invested heavily in new TV series and programs.

There are also expansion of company personnel, addition of new advanced shooting equipment, change of company shooting locations, etc.

It also received support from MGM's film library, and suddenly had the copyright support of nearly 3,000 MGM movies and more than 5,000 TV series.

These strengths have allowed AMC TV station to suddenly move from the bottom of the six major cable television stations.

It has become a strong contender for the top three cable TV ratings in the United States.

Several large-investment TV series launched after it have received very good ratings.

One of them, "The Sopranos" and "Breaking Bad," both had excellent L+ same-day ratings and L+7 ratings.

L+ same-day ratings and L+7 ratings are a method of calculating the ratings of American TV series.

L+ same-day ratings refer to the single-day broadcast rate of each subsequent episode after the first episode.

Generally, more than 400,000 people are considered passing, and more than 800,000 people are considered excellent.

More than 2 million people are considered a hit, and more than 5 million people are a phenomenal hit.

"Friends" set a viewing record of 53 million viewers on January 28, 1996.

This is the current record for American TV series, and no one can surpass it.

This is also a symbol of "Friends"'s status in American TV series.

L+7 is the total ratings of a TV series in the following seven days after it is broadcast online.

The data of "Friends" in this regard is 290 million viewers, which is also a record that no one can break.

AMC's "The Sopranos" generated L+ ratings of 2 million viewers on the same day, while "Breaking Bad" had 2.8 million viewers.

These data can already be ranked in the top ten among this year's TV series.

It’s considered a hit of the year.

Able to achieve such results.

AMC’s TV series department is worthy of Smith Media’s heavy investment.

Except TV series.

AMC TV station has also made good achievements in variety shows.

Like Bell Grist, who was specially invited from England with Abel's support.

The former member of the Special Forces hosted the reality show "Into the Wild" and received good ratings.

So far, one episode has been released every week, for a total of just seven episodes.

The total viewership of the seven-episode program was 25 million, with an average of 3.57 million viewers per episode.

This ratings can be considered excellent in the context of variety shows.

Of course, compared with the top variety shows, it is completely incomparable.

After all, talk shows are also considered variety shows.

Talk shows have always been the category with the highest ratings among various programs in the United States.

For example, Oprah's talk show, its highest single-episode ratings once reached an exaggerated 60 million viewers, and the average single-episode ratings are about 20 million viewers.

Even if I eat two truckloads of blasting bugs, I won't be able to keep up with Oprah's big mouth.

In one year, Smith Media invested $100 million in AMC.

The average ratings of AMC TV stations increased by 158.69% compared with when it was first acquired by Smith Media.

The TV station's advertising revenue has increased even more dramatically, from US$14.56 million for the whole year last year to US$59.68 million in the current nine months.

The increase is more than 300%.

Although it can't compare with NBC TV stations, their advertising revenue can easily reach hundreds of millions of dollars, or even billions of dollars.

But this increase can be considered gratifying to the naked eye.

Coupled with the increased share of cable membership fees due to increased ratings.

In the past nine months, AMC TV's total revenue has exceeded US$100 million.

You must know that before being acquired by Smith Media, AMC TV had not even had a total revenue of US$100 million for three consecutive years.

Although losses are inevitable this year, it is still a good start.

This is enough to prove that Richard Plepler, the general manager of AMC TV station that Abel hired, is indeed a very good program content producer.

Under the responsibility of this station director and chief producer, AMC TV station is operating well.

Even without Abel's capital injection at this time.

It can also maintain a very good development range.

It’s just that after Abel’s bid to buy NBC TV station failed.

His attention and eyes were on AMC TV station again.

Under his renewed attention, AMC launched reforms and expansions.

Michael Ovitz, one of the former Hollywood kings, resigned from CAA.

His new job is to join AMC TV station and start to charge for the establishment of AMC TV network.

A few days ago, AMC Television and seven television stations owned by Bloomberg formed a new company called AMC Television Group.

Bloomberg put his seven TV stations into this group through a franchise model and owns 10% of the group's shares.

Abel and Smith Media jointly invested US$5 billion into the company, plus the original AMC TV station.

The current shareholding ratio of AMC Television Group is Smith Media 45%, Bloomberg 10%, Abel 25%, and Smith Family Office 20%.

With Michael Ovitz as Chairman and Richard Plepler as CEO.

AMC Television Group has begun its own expansion plan.

The first step of the plan is to swallow up at least 100 of the more than 1,300 independent regional television stations on the East Coast.

The second step is to develop towards the central region and the west coast.

The third part is to radiate throughout the United States.

Eventually we will start to go global, or we will go global at the beginning, but not with great intensity.

According to Abel's vision, AMC Television Group cannot at least lose to FOX, which is the television network owned by News Corporation.

FOX is currently at the bottom of the four major television networks, but it already has 29 directly owned TV stations and 228 affiliated TV stations, covering 95% of the population of the United States and more than 800 million viewers worldwide.

If AMC TV Network wants to achieve this goal, Abel estimates that it will cost about US$15-25 billion and take 4-8 years.

After failing to buy NBC, Abel put the plan into action.

Michael Ovitz is the founder of CAA who has great public relations skills.

This is the lobbyist that Abel uses to hook up and defeat those independent television stations across the country.

If this step of the plan can be achieved, then it will be okay even if NBC is not needed in the future.

Of course, if there is a chance to acquire it, he will actually do it.

But that’s all for the future.

At Smith's farm, Abel spent three days with his mother and Charlize.

It was three days before he set off, leaving Smith's farm.

He did not go to the Sunnis Mountain town or visit his PMC company.

Instead, we first went to the capital of Texas, a deep blue amidst deep red.

The city of Austin is located in southwest central Texas.

Since the mid-20th century, the semiconductor and computer industries in Austin have developed rapidly.

In addition, housing costs are much lower than those in Silicon Valley, attracting a large number of high-tech talents and companies, and becoming a well-known high-tech center.

That part of California is known as Silicon Valley.

This part of Texas, Austin, is known as "Silicon Mountain" or "Silicon Hills."

Famous semiconductor companies like Freescale and Dell have their headquarters here.

In addition, IBM, Intel, Cisco, 3M, etc. also have important local branches.

It is also the famous "Live Music Capital of the World" in the United States, with many famous musicians, music venues and music events. The city's per capita share of music venues ranks first in the United States.

In fact, you can see why this place is blue from the characteristics behind Austin.

In the United States, people who play literature and art. Whether it's Hollywood, the Grammys, or other arts practitioners, they basically support the Donkey Party.

Austin, with this kind of cultural atmosphere, naturally prefers the Donkey Party.

It is incompatible with other surrounding areas, and over time, a rebellious mentality appears.

Even if he didn't want to be blue, he was forced to turn into dark blue by the crimson surrounding him.

Abel's "Smith" Boeing 747 on October 16th.

Landing at Austin's Bergstrom International Airport.

This airport is located 5 miles (8 kilometers) southeast of Austin, the capital of Texas, and is the largest airport in Texas.

Austin doesn't even have a population as large as Fort Worth.

Fort Worth has a population of over one million, while Austin has only over 600,000 people.

With more than 600,000 people spread over hundreds of square kilometers, how big can such a city be?

Austin is the same as Fort Worth, except for the downtown CBD.

In terms of streetscape and high-rise buildings, other places in Austin are similar to some other cities outside the fourth tier of China after 2015.

In terms of infrastructure and roads, many places can't even compare.

When Abel came out of the airport, he saw the person who came to pick him up.

It was Marvin Pierce Bush, Herbert's youngest son, whom he had met last time at the White House.

That is, little Laura's only biological uncle.

"Hey~ Marvin, good afternoon."

Abel smiled and walked over and hugged the smiling Marvin.

"Good afternoon." Marvin responded with a smile, "My father and your grandfather have been waiting for you. Let's go quickly!!"

"No problem." Abel smiled.

No need to wait for Abel's Cadillac monster to be transported from the airport.

There was already another brand new Cadillac Monster parked outside waiting for Abel.

As a retired former commander-in-chief of the United States.

Herbert also enjoys the protection of the U.S. Secret Service and other corresponding benefits.

Including an annual pension of US$200,000, as well as lifetime top-notch free medical and security services.

As the leader of the world's only superpower, the assassination rate of American leaders is extremely high.

By the time George took office, the United States had experienced 45 generals.

Six of them had a clear history of being assassinated, and four of them were assassinated.

In other words, almost one in every eight American generals has been assassinated, and one in every ten American generals has been assassinated. This shows how dangerous this profession is.

In addition, Herbert also has a son who is the current commander-in-chief.

The Secret Service agents who protect him are no worse than they were when he was in office.

Naturally, there are also top-grade security modified cars such as Cadillac Monster as his usual travel car.

Just like Abel's car, the stars and stripes are not usually displayed.

But it's the same quality as George Sitting.

After sitting in the carriage with Marvin, the two started talking.

"Abel, you did a good job. You made me busier than ever." Marvin Pierce said with a chuckle.

Abel smiled slightly. He roughly knew what Marvin Pierce meant.

"Did Herbert agree?" he asked curiously.

Marvin Pierce shrugged, "Neal has already been persuaded by you. If father disagrees, Neal will definitely be unhappy if he doesn't say anything on the surface. In addition, we all think that your plan is feasible. "

"That's good."

Abel smiled and said: "Then Neil goes to California and helps the Bush family expand their territory. It will be good for everyone."

"That's right." Marvin Pierce smiled and nodded.

At the last dinner at the White House. Abel suggested to the Shrub brothers that Neil Shrub go to California for development.

Follow-up feedback will be returned to Herbert.

Herbert held a democratic meeting within the family.

The end result was support for Neil going to California.

Whether you can succeed is one thing, whether you can go or not is another.

If Neil can succeed there, it will undoubtedly be a very good thing for the Bush family.

This will give Texas super wealthy Shrub an opportunity to extend its influence to the California area.

Neil was originally responsible for the family's business and commerce with Marvin Pierce.

Among them, Neil is mainly responsible for the oil company, and Marvin Pierce is responsible for the investment field.

Now that Neil has to start to get on the right track, the business aspect all falls on Marvin Pierce.

Being tired once is bound to be tiring, but it's also a good thing for Marvin Pierce.

The business of the entire Shrub family, plus the support of the three brothers in governance.

Even if Marvin Pierce doesn't go into business in the future, he can still live a happy life.

And later, a new generation of the Shrub family grew up, and some business talents emerged.

Then when the time is right, Marvin Pierce can choose the same path as his brothers.

After all, he is the youngest among the four brothers, more than ten years younger than his eldest brother.

So although he is busy, Marvin Pierce also benefits a lot.

The two chatted for a while, but the vehicle did not drive toward downtown Austin.

But when we were still three miles away from Austin, we turned onto a small road.

The drive lasted about half an hour.

The convoy arrived at the gate of a manor two miles northwest of the town of Franklin on the outskirts of Austin.

Through the car window, Abel saw white wooden fences, pointed maroon roofs, green lawns, and various designs full of old European Victorian style.

The motorcade pulled up in the manor's paved parking lot.

Marvin Pierce got out of the car, and Abe followed him.

Under the leadership of little Laura’s fourth uncle.

Abel walked through the front courtyard with its large green lawn and entered the Victorian villa.

Entering the front hall filled with various murals and oil paintings, Marvin Pierce took Abel through a long corridor.

Finally, behind the villa, in another lawn.

He met Mr. and Mrs. Herbert and Mr. and Mrs. Alex who were having afternoon tea.

"Hey, good afternoon. Dear Abel. Hey, Alex, look who's here! Your precious grandson is here."

After Herbert saw Abel, he smiled and raised his hand to greet him from a long distance away, and also talked to Alex next to him.

The old bush looked rosy, in good spirits and full of vitality.

It doesn't look like he is recuperating from illness.

"Don't make excuses. Even if Abel comes, you have to wait until we finish this one first!" Alex said without raising his head.

Abel smiled and waved to Herbert in response.

He walked quickly to the old people and glanced at the table between Alex and Herbert.

There is a heavy chess set placed on it, and the chess game is at a critical point.

Among them, the white chess piece seemed to be losing, and Herbert took the white chess piece.

Abel smiled and hugged and kissed each other, his grandmother Arya and little Laura's grandmother Barbara, who stood up.

There was a "crash" sound.

Herbert "accidentally" bumped the table, causing the chess pieces on the chessboard to flip over.

"Hua Ke oil!"

Alex cursed, stood up amid Herbert's laughter, and hugged Abel with a smile.

A servant brought another small table and two chairs.

Abel and Marvin Pierce sat down at the third small table.

The maid also brought afternoon tea and snacks, as well as parasols.

South Texas is a subtropical region, and Austin is in south Texas. Sometimes it doesn’t snow in the winter.

In Austin in mid-October, the noon sun can make people faint, which is impossible without a parasol.

"Neal has gone to California." After sitting down, Herbert picked up a coffee cup and drank it gently.

"The sooner we go, the better. Time waits for no one, there is only one year left." Abel smiled.

Everyone around knew what the two were discussing.

At this time, everyone calmed down and watched the conversation between the old and the young.

"Is it too hasty?"

"Neil doesn't even know what's going on over there."

"It's a bit hasty." Abel picked up a piece of Gorachi pie on the dessert plate on the small table and put it into his mouth.

Gorachi is a dough-based pastry with different fillings.

Fillings can be fruit, cheese, etc.

It tastes very sweet, and the standard version has been improved to fit the American super-sweet taste.

"But even if it's a bit hasty, there is still a certain chance of success next year. Even if it doesn't succeed, I don't think there will be much loss."

After finishing the dessert, I drank the bitter original coffee.

Abel said again: "It failed in 2002. We can come back in 2004. Neil is still young, and I am still young. I think we have many opportunities to try. As long as we can succeed once, it will be worth the money!"

Hearing what he said, Herbert nodded with satisfaction.

The Bush family walked towards the glorious founder and looked sideways at his wife.

The old grandmother of the Bush family who smiled and said nothing the whole time.

George's mother, Ms. Barbara Pierce Bush, understood what her husband meant.

She smiled and spoke.

"My dear child."

The old woman looked at Abel kindly and tenderly, "What do you think of little Laura?"

Abel thought that the topic was coming.

He glanced at the expressions of everyone around him.

Abel saw worry on his grandmother Arya's face; he saw seriousness on his grandfather Alex's face.

Abel saw anticipation on the faces of the three bushes.

He thought again of little Laura's sweet smile, the most gentle face in front of him, and the face that always spoke softly.

And when we were separated in New York half a month ago, she covered her butt and ran into school like a bunny.

Abel smiled and said: "I think she is very good and a good candidate to be a wife. Dear Barbara, and Herbert. Although little Laura is not here, the respected Neil and Sunny are not here either. But I still want to say that I want to be little Laura’s husband.”

As soon as he said these words.

The surrounding air was suddenly filled with a happy atmosphere.

A smile immediately broke out on Grandmother Arya's face.

Grandfather Alex also opened his mouth and laughed.

Marvin Pierce beamed, and Herbert beamed.

Barbara also smiled and said, "That's great, that's great."