Chapter 219 Media Empire
The large-scale cooperation between Orange Technology and various universities in Hong Kong has actually not been long. The comprehensive cooperation started when the Orange Technology supercomputer project was launched.

At the beginning, the cooperation with Orange Technology was mainly with experts and professors from USTC, and later experts and professors from other universities gradually joined in.

Although these experts and professors are somewhat "aloof", they still have to live in the world and still need sufficient income to maintain a decent life.

Especially in Hong Kong, a place with developed capitalism, talking about money has never been a cliché.

The cooperation with Orange Technology means standing tall and making money, and definitely not bowing down and making money against one's conscience.

All of Orange Technology's projects are serious scientific research projects, and there is never anything crooked or unorthodox.

Cooperating with Orange Technology on scientific research projects will definitely bring you both fame and fortune, as long as you have strong enough abilities.

Last year, Orange Technology launched two projects, the supercomputer and the scientific research network, which were promoted only after they had mature solutions.

For these experts and professors, although there is not much room for them to display their talents, they still make money and produce scientific research results.

The metropolitan area network promotion plan proposed by Huo Haiqing this time is obviously a larger and longer-term project plan.

Moreover, in terms of openness and technological expansion space, it far exceeds the previous two projects, giving these experts and professors more room for research.

The construction of the Hong Kong metropolitan area network that Orange Technology is going to promote this time is definitely an ultra-large development plan, which requires an investment of hundreds of millions of US dollars in a super project.

Now, the development of the Internet has reached a critical period. Internet technology is developing faster and faster, and its importance is gradually becoming more prominent.

The computer networks of various countries around the world, which were originally developed in a scattered manner, are being connected one after another to form a unified interconnected network, namely the Internet.

This complex and huge system was built up step by step.

The construction of the Hong Kong metropolitan area network is the foundation for Liu Zhicheng to enter the international Internet.

Only by building the Hong Kong metropolitan area network first can Liu Zhicheng promote the connection between the Hong Kong metropolitan area network and the international Internet to form an integrated network.

The core of the plan launched by Huo Haiqing at the discussion meeting is to strengthen the internal construction of Hong Kong's metropolitan area network.

The next topic proposed by Liu Zhicheng was to promote the comprehensive connection between Hong Kong's metropolitan area network and the international Internet, and to promote Hong Kong's metropolitan area network to become a part of the international Internet.

As soon as Liu Zhicheng appeared on the stage, he was warmly welcomed by everyone and thunderous applause broke out at the meeting.

It is impossible for the scholars present here not to understand the trends of the international Internet, but they have limited resources and can only offer some directional suggestions.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the center of the international Internet is in the United States. If the metropolitan area network in Hong Kong wants to access the international Internet, it actually has to access the Internet in the United States.

It is difficult to achieve international Internet connection relying solely on all of us here and Orange Technology. To realize this plan, there are two core basic tasks.

First of all, it must be approved by the official authorities, that is, by the Hong Kong government and the United States. This job application can only be made by the academic community in Hong Kong. "

In his speech, Liu Zhicheng directly proposed connection with the international Internet as an operational plan.

To access the international Internet, it is necessary to rely on the names of these academic circles and universities, and Orange Technology can only appear as a funding provider and project implementer.

It will benefit all Hong Kong academic circles if Hong Kong and the United States can achieve network connection as soon as possible.

The scholars attending the meeting responded quite positively to Liu Zhicheng's request in this regard.

Since Orange Technology is willing to contribute both money and resources, naturally no one objects.

A preliminary plan was formed at the discussion meeting. A special committee will be formed, led by CUHK, HKU and HKUST, to advance the relevant matters of this application.

“The second core task is to physically connect Hong Kong’s network with America’s network through transoceanic cables.

This is a major project. Of course, we must first negotiate with the Datong Telegraph Bureau and try to rent Datong’s existing communication network to achieve this physical connection.

If the negotiations with Dadong are not successful, then we at Juzi Technology will invest in building a new transoceanic route on our own.”

Hong Kong's external communications rights are monopolized by Dadong. If Orange Technology wants to build a new transoceanic line, it also needs to negotiate with Dadong.

The negotiations with Dadong are more about interests. I believe that as long as the interests are given, Dadong will not deliberately create obstacles.

Liu Zhicheng promised on the spot that Juzi Technology would come forward to communicate with Dadong.

After talking about these two basic tasks, Liu Zhicheng also specifically mentioned the international competition in the Internet.

Liu Zhicheng's goal is to hope that the academic community in Hong Kong can unite and push forward the application work as soon as possible.

The so-called international competition is more about competing for influence and dominance in Asia, and dominance lies in the root servers of the Internet.

At the very least, Hong Kong should also strive for a secondary root server.

In the past, there were only 13 IPv4 root domain name servers in the world, and one of them was the main root server in the United States.

The remaining 12 are auxiliary root servers, 9 of which are located in the United States, 2 in Europe, and 1 in Asia, located in RB.

If Liu Zhicheng wants to change the backward situation of the mainland's electronics industry, he needs to confront the United States' strong voice in the Internet and seize more voice.

Liu Zhicheng also knew that it was impossible to completely seize control of the United States.

Being able to increase the voice as much as possible within the system dominated by the United States would be considered a great success.

And this auxiliary root server is one of the voices that Liu Zhicheng wants to try to gain.

There is only so much that Orange Technology can do for root servers.

After the seminar, Liu Zhicheng started a new busy life.

.........

Asia Television, 81 Broadcast Drive.

Because during the 1970s, it was the location of three television stations and two radio stations in Hong Kong.

Because there were only five electronic media companies in Hong Kong at that time, and they were all concentrated in that place, and geographically it was also located on a small hill, the place was called "Mount Wutai".

Later, after Jiayi went bankrupt, people changed the name of the place to "Sitai Mountain".

Liu Zhicheng came to the office of ATV's Qiu Degen, who received him warmly.

"Mr. Liu, welcome to ATV to give you guidance. This is your first time here since you became a shareholder of ATV."

Qiu Degen seemed to know where Liu Zhicheng came from, and a trace of reluctance flashed across his face. But now Asia Television is really in a difficult situation in terms of operation.

"Mr. Qiu is criticizing me, but I also believe that Mr. Qiu can run ATV well, so I am confident in investing in ATV," Liu Zhicheng said with a smile.

Liu Zhicheng had not been to Mount Wutai since he bought shares in Asia Television a few years ago. After sitting down and exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Zhicheng got straight to the point and said, "Mr. Qiu, I came here this time to ask if you are interested in selling Asia Television?"

At this time, Qiu Degen had not yet disclosed the information about the listing to the public, so it was necessary to bring it up directly to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings between the two parties.

Qiu Degen looked at Liu Zhicheng and said with a smile: "Mr. Liu, you are also a shareholder of ATV, so you should also know the difficulties of running a TV station."

Under the dominance of TVB, Asia Television has been losing ground.

Although Liu Zhicheng had achieved good results in the media field, Qiu Degen did not believe that he was capable of running Asia Television well and achieving new success.

Therefore, over the years, no one has taken the initiative to invite Liu Zhicheng to discuss the work of the TV station.

Liu Zhicheng didn't care. Since he had no say in it, he just treated it as an investment.

Liu Zhicheng said generously: “Of course I know the difficulties, but I think if ATV can increase its investment, it will definitely achieve better results.

And I always believe that TVB cannot continue to be so strong forever, and ATV will break TVB's monopoly sooner or later."

TVB has indeed basically monopolized Hong Kong's television industry. TVB makes an annual profit of HK$700 to million, while ATV only made a profit of over HK$ million last year.

During its peak period, ATV's ratings were only 30%, while TVB accounted for 70%.

In the previous life, after Lam Pak-yan and Cheng Yu-tung acquired Asia Television, they immediately increased their investment, resulting in an annual loss of approximately HK$2 million.

Qiu Degen asked again: "How did Mr. Liu know that I was interested in selling ATV?"

Liu Zhicheng smiled and said: "I don't know, I just came to ask today. But I also want to run ATV."

Qiu Degen nodded, as long as it was not taking advantage of the situation.

When Asia Television was hit hard in November last year, even Run Run Shaw came to express his condolences, saying that it fully reflected the friendship between colleagues.

But Qiu Degen believes that Run Run Shaw is just crying over the rat and is showing false compassion!

After thinking for a while, Qiu Degen said, "How many shares do you want to buy?"

Liu Zhicheng relaxed immediately. Qiu Degen's words meant that he was willing to sell the shares. He nodded and said, "How about all the shares?"

Qiu Degen shook his head and said, "I have spent six years at ATV and put in so much effort. If it weren't for some things that have made me a little exhausted in the past few years, I would not have sold it!

I can even say that I didn't have this idea before you came. What changed my mind was that Mr. Liu had the confidence and financial resources to do so.

So I am willing to hand over the management rights to you, but I want to retain a certain equity."

Liu Zhicheng said to himself, as long as you are willing to hand over management rights and most of the shares, it will not be easy to get the remaining shares. There are many ways to dilute your shares.

If the company suffers a loss of several hundred million Hong Kong dollars every year, Qiu Degen will take the initiative to sell his shares.

Liu Zhicheng said: "How about you just keep 30% of the shares?"

"Okay!" Qiu Degen nodded in agreement.

Next, the two sides started talking about the price, but there was nothing to discuss. Qiu Degen asked for 6 million Hong Kong dollars and refused to budge.

Liu Zhicheng agreed to Qiu Degen's request and agreed to bring a lawyer and auditor to check the accounts three days later.

Three days later, everyone signed the equity transfer agreement in ATV's conference room.

The new equity distribution is: City Group 70% and Far East Consortium 30%.

Liu Zhicheng is the chairman of the board of directors of Asia Television, Sun Lina is the executive director, and Qiu Degen is the director.

On the same day, ATV also held a board meeting and officially announced the equity transfer.

A reporter asked Liu Zhicheng: "Why did you invest in ATV, which has been losing money for a long time?"

Liu Zhicheng said: “Of course we know that ATV is a money-losing ancestor, but Hong Kong is a free competition, and the situation of a monopoly by one company will be broken one day;
Moreover, both ATV and TVB have television franchises, and the Hong Kong government will no longer issue licenses casually, and this resource is also very scarce. "

Another reporter asked Liu Zhicheng: "Mr. Liu, as a media tycoon, do you have the confidence to run ATV well?"

Liu Zhicheng smiled and said, "I am not a media tycoon. It's just an exaggeration by your media. I am not a professional television talent. I am just an investor. The operation of ATV still needs to be managed by professionals."

Seems to make sense!

ATV got a new boss, and for a while, many media attention was focused on ATV.

The new consortium is too powerful. Will ATV change the current situation and break TVB's monopoly?

This is what everyone thinks!
What is even more surprising is that with the joining of Liu Zhicheng, the "richest man", will ATV be completely renewed?

This is also what everyone expects!
In ATV's conference room, everyone is having a meeting.

As the chairman of the board, Liu Zhicheng took the lead and said, "I suggest hiring Chow Liang Shuyi as the CEO of ATV. What do you think?"

Qiu Degen said with a smile: "She is a good spender! Jiayi went bankrupt because of her lavish spending. But she is now a member of the Legislative Council. Will she come to ATV?"

Liu Zhicheng thought, without her spending lavishly, how could you possibly give up all your shares on your own initiative?
Liu Zhicheng smiled and said: "She has told reporters before that she loves working in the media and hopes to measure her achievements by the achievements in the media industry one day.

I think if we can actively invite her, she will definitely agree to work for ATV."

Liu Zhicheng now really needs a professional who knows how to spend money to manage ATV, and through generous spending, he can give ATV a brand new look and quickly open up the situation.

Qiu Degen said: "I think it's okay!"

Everyone quickly seconded the motion!

If ATV doesn’t take drastic measures, it will definitely not be able to turn the situation around.

After Liu Zhicheng took over ATV, he prepared to spend a large sum of money to update equipment and programs to give the citizens of Hong Kong a refreshing feeling.

Zhou Liang Shuyi is the best choice. Although Jiayi went bankrupt under her leadership, it was also due to conditions.

How can an educational TV station possibly compete with a commercial TV station?

In the next step, Liu Zhicheng plans to reform Asia Television, and put it on satellite TV, broadcast live to more regions, expand Asia Television's influence, and increase advertising revenue.

Only by expanding the scope of dissemination can we achieve the goal of increasing the number of viewers. So it is natural to broadcast on satellite TV.

Now, the City Group has reached an agreement with CITIC and is only waiting for the satellite to be launched. In this way, Liu Zhicheng's media empire is basically formed.

(End of this chapter)