[Chapter 309: TV Network and Estate Expansion]
Just as Linton was preparing to shoot the music video for his latest single, Goodman brought some big news.
One of Hollywood's seven major studios, Paramount Pictures, was looking to sell its UPN Network (United Paramount Network).
For Linton, this was a huge opportunity. His media group was nearly complete, missing only the crucial piece of owning a TV network.
He had considered building a network from scratch, but the paperwork and effort involved were overwhelming. Acquiring an existing mature network was far more economical.
He had asked Goodman to keep an eye on the market for any TV networks or stations up for sale. And now, the chance had arrived.
Without hesitation, Linton ordered Goodman to pursue this aggressively. While gathering information about UPN, they also commissioned a professional acquisition consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the network.
Soon, detailed info on UPN arrived.
...
UPN was founded in January 1986 by Paramount Pictures Group. At that time, Hollywood was undergoing massive industry changes. The seven major studios were being absorbed by media conglomerates or transforming into them.
Within this context, Paramount established UPN to evolve into a media group, especially to aid in promoting and distributing its films.
UPN was positioned as a commercial network, relying mainly on advertising revenue.
Over its eight years, Paramount formed a professional operating team and continuously invested heavily. It currently owned two direct channels and over 100 affiliate stations, covering more than 60% of the U.S. population.
Paramount was undoubtedly a titan in the film industry, but running a TV network was a different ball game. Unfortunately, UPN's ratings had been consistently poor, and it operated at a loss.
Last year's deficit exceeded $15 million, requiring constant financial support from Paramount.
Despite losses, Paramount kept UPN afloat to ensure film promotion channels weren't blocked by rivals. It was considered an indispensable tool for the studio.
However, at the end of last year, media mogul Sumner Redstone's Viacom Group completed a stunning $10 billion acquisition of Paramount Pictures, marking a landmark event in Hollywood.
Suddenly, all major film studios became parts of entertainment and media conglomerates, signaling a new era.
After acquiring Paramount, Sumner Redstone began consolidating resources.
Prior to the purchase, Viacom was the third-largest media company in America. Its TV group encompassed 39 owned local stations and countless affiliates, including CBS, one of the Big Three networks, and the powerful MTV Music Network.
In TV promotional resources, only Time Warner could rival Viacom in Hollywood.
Naturally, Viacom viewed UPN's promotional effectiveness as subpar. Coupled with persistent losses, it was labeled a negative asset internally.
Even within Viacom's TV group, no one wanted to take over UPN.
Therefore, Sumner Redstone decided to put UPN up for sale.
...
Many might not have heard of UPN, but its successor network, The CW, is well known.
The CW is the fifth-largest American network, covering 95% of U.S. TV users. It has delivered numerous quality dramas and holds significant influence and ratings nationwide.
It was established in January 2006 by merging Viacom's CBS-owned UPN and Time Warner's WB Television.
Interestingly, Sumner Redstone didn't sell UPN immediately post-acquisition but waited until 2006 to merge it with WB. Whether negotiations failed earlier or history shifted is uncertain.
Nonetheless, UPN was a golden opportunity for Linton.
What Linton didn't know was that in the previous timeline, Sumner Redstone had indeed put UPN on the market in 1994, but no buyer met his price expectations.
Hence, he reluctantly merged it into CBS.
By the early to mid-90s, most media conglomerates had settled their TV layouts, and few would pay big bucks for a low-rating, loss-making network.
Linton was different. His media empire desperately needed a network, especially one covering over 80% of America.
Ratings and losses? Not problems for a time traveler like Linton.
He planned to bring in killer variety shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and America's Got Talent, sure to skyrocket ratings.
These shows weren't just huge in America -- they were global hits, selling their rights worldwide.
Add hit cartoons like SpongeBob SquarePants and Peppa, also global sensations.
Plus, many hit American dramas could be produced or acquired legally by him.
Linton could barely imagine the value the network could create in his hands.
...
On September 20, after receiving a notice from the Rumble in the Bronx crew, Michelle Reis reluctantly left Los Angeles. She would return to Hong Kong for a month-long training before heading to Canada for filming.
Before leaving, she tried to embody the spirit of a female knight, determined to beat Linton completely and leave a lasting impression.
But even teaming up with Vivian Chow, they couldn't overcome Linton; all their skills and tricks barely matched him, though they left a deep impression.
...
Linton began shooting the music video for You Are Not Alone. According to the schedule, each song shoot took about three days.
Kate Winslet, the female lead, stuck close to Linton during filming.
At night, after shooting wrapped, they naturally went to the presidential suite at the Hilton Hotel.
After intense encounters, a flushed Kate lay against Linton, whispering, "Darling, you're amazing -- I feel like I can't live without you. What should I do?"
"Then don't leave."
"Darling, can I be your girlfriend?"
"I have many girlfriends already. Are you sure you want to join?"
Having spent days with Kate, Linton approved of her -- not only was she beautiful and strong-willed, but also career-driven.
He decided to welcome her into his harem.
"Join? What does that mean?"
"Literally -- I currently have many girlfriends."
"Oh my God! So the rumors in the papers were true? Jennifer, Catherine, Winona -- they're all your girlfriends?"
"Yes, you got it right. All of them."
"What about Naomi, Sophie Marceau, Cristiana Reali, Monica Bellucci?"
"They're all mine too."
"Wow, how many girlfriends do you have?"
"Still want to join?"
"I'm thinking it over."
"Take your time. If you don't want to join, that's fine -- we'll just be friends for now. But it's best to forget about them."
"Darling, with your charm, having multiple girlfriends seems normal."
"Of course. They say the same."
"What I love most about you is your confidence and strength. Darling, shall we continue?"
"As you wish."
The sweet song resumed.
...
The next day at lunch, Kate entered Linton's trailer.
"Darling, I've decided -- I want to be your girlfriend."
"Really? You don't mind being sisters with Catherine and the others?"
"I think I've fallen under your spell -- I can't live without you."
"Wait. To be my girlfriend, there are two rules. See if you can accept them."
"What rules?"
"Rule 1: Loyalty. No relationships with other men.
Rule 2: Sisters in the harem must love each other. Any conflicts must be openly resolved -- no backstabbing or fights."
"Wow, you're so upfront."
"I like to be clear to avoid future pain."
"What if I can't abide by them?"
"You can leave anytime. Violators will be immediately removed."
"Alright, I accept. You've got me hooked."
"Good. Tonight, we won't stay at a hotel. After filming, you'll come home with me to my estate."
"Great. Won't there be many sisters at the estate?"
"Tonight, besides you, only two. A few more will come tomorrow."
"Who?"
"You'll see."
"Then shouldn't you comfort me first and give me some courage?"
Thinking ahead to the evening group encounters, Kate blushed but eagerly climbed onto Linton's lap and kissed him.
Soon, the trailer began shaking rhythmically.
...
That night, Linton brought Kate to the estate and introduced her to Madonna, Vivian Chow, and the housekeeper Amy.
Madonna and Vivian warmly welcomed Kate, adding another member to the sisterhood.
Since hearing she could carry Linton's child, Madonna's passion surged. Whenever in Los Angeles, she would quietly spend nights at the estate.
Despite her age, Madonna looked incredibly young and gorgeous, astonishing Kate.
The main mansion was fully occupied, so Kate didn't have her own room yet.
This made Linton realize that the mansion needed expanding, or new women wouldn't feel anchored.
"Amy, we've run out of rooms in the main house. I'm planning to build a two-story extension by the east pool, with 10 rooms per floor. The rooms will match those on the second floor here.
Both floors will connect to the main house. Get an architect tomorrow for detailed plans."
"Got it, boss."
"Kate, until then, you'll stay in my master bedroom."
"Darling, I'll follow your lead."
Kate looked obedient, but seeing 15 rooms already taken upstairs, she braced herself for the sheer number of sisters.
When the sisters' names came out, she was amazed -- they represented the entire world: America, England, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, Australia, even two from Hong Kong -- a worldwide gathering.
Unknown to her, Charlize Theron from South Africa was special in Linton's eyes and didn't live in the mansion but received equal treatment.
"Since you're my girlfriend, here are four more perks for you."
"Oh? More perks?"
"Of course."
Linton let her pick a female bodyguard, gave her a $500,000 house purchase check, and showed her a blank quartz pendant engraved with a magic array, asking her favorite design.
Surprisingly, she chose a tiger.
As for a car and cottage, she could pick after filming was done, accompanied by her bodyguard.
After dinner, Madonna organized a party upstairs; everyone eagerly joined.
Linton carried Vivian Chow on his left arm, Kate on his right, and Madonna on his back, heading up to the third floor.
Soon, sweet, lively singing filled the air.
...
On the last day of the video shoot at noon, Kate brought lunch to Linton's trailer again.
They ate affectionately, after which Linton handed her the script for Good Will Hunting.
"Sweetheart, my company's already approved and developing this film -- the lead role is yours."
"Really?" Kate was overjoyed, amazed at the streak of good news -- being Linton's girlfriend was the right choice.
"Absolutely."
"When does shooting start?"
"Soon. Auditions begin publicly soon, and filming is expected to start by the end of next month. You won't need to audition, but now you must study the script thoroughly. If necessary, hire an acting coach for private lessons."
"Darling, you're so good to me -- I must thank you properly."
The night before, she had been especially forward on the dining table.
Soon, the trailer swayed erratically again.
*****
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