ALL NOVEL 370. explosion.
October 14.
-The Discovery employees collectively sighed when the notice arrived, stating that no substantial changes would be made. Since John Hendricks’ arrival and the start of broadcasting in 1985, the program has not seen frequent changes. However, he did adjust the content to include more scientific topics in the programming, ranging from animals, fauna, flora, history, and civilizations, to endangered species.
To achieve this, he hired someone to create the necessary series for the next ten years: David Attenborough, a Briton to whom Billy promised the moon and the stars so that he could make all the documentaries he desired.
Advised Billy, he explained that they needed to make three programs in succession. The first was to follow the nature agreement and the trial of life, programs Billy was already trying to buy. Blue Planet, which deals with the depths of the sea, required substantial investment, followed by Planet Earth, focusing on terrestrial species. The documentary aims to produce at least a 25-episode section covering everything about these ecosystems. Regardless of the time it takes, they want a production that can transcend.
This would be followed by two miniseries about the creation of the universe, the history of Rome, astronomy, and, of course, Cosmos, all part of the lineup, similar to the previous documentary acquisitions.
But more importantly, there was a program focused on primates. Multiple personalities were hired to conduct research and document it in some magnificent way; it was an incredible bet.
Therefore, the board was currently convened, led by John Hendricks, who was still the group’s president, Judith A. McHale, part of the company’s management and communications, Steven E. Rogers, executive in charge of channel programming, editorial, and content supervision, and Mark Hollinger, an executive part of the basic operations role.
They observed eminent figures from the science world. Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, and Gerald Durrell. All dressed in elegant suits, it was a real surprise to see these zoologists, who were, in most respects, anything but office people.
-My most important question is how and why you are willing to enter into a six-year contract with Discovery, - John Hendricks asked.
They smiled.
-Billy Carson was very shrewd and ultimately convinced us that it was the most appropriate thing to do, - Dian Fossey commented.
-It was his elegant speech and the creation of two wildlife foundations, with a price tag of 20 million dollars, along with a promise of constant investment and publicity for our causes, to include Discovery as a naturalist channel to a large extent, - David Attenborough added.
-I was not aware of that, - murmured John Hendricks.
-Oh, don’t worry about it, Mr. Hendricks. We believe this meeting is about that. For now, I was told that you plan to create three simultaneous series in which we will capitalize on all our knowledge, - David Attenborough commented.
Steven E. Rogers looked at the documents sent by mail, which contained five scripts.
-We have five programs: “Blue Planet,” “Planet Earth,” “Primates,” “Endangered Species,” and “Gorillas,” for you five. However, you have also sent four additional proposals: “Frozen Planet,” “Mammals,” “Snakes,” and “Ecosystems,” along with some notes on species preservation, global warming, and species migration, - Steven E. Rogers commented, sweating nervously. At the moment, they have two series in production: “Planet Life,” “The Death of Yugoslavia” with the BBC, and “Wild Discovery.” However, the injection of money was enough to extend and deliver six magnificent series and maintain the existing programs. The emphasis was that Discovery would focus solely on scientific topics.
-I think this conversation is redundant. We need to write the scripts and have a good production team of cameramen. Billy has been in contact with us since 1993. We mostly have sketches and many ideas about what and how to film. I had my doubts, but I did my job and have several ideas for making documentaries for the global audience, - Gerald Durrell finally responded.
-We have good ideas, - Steven E. commented.
Gerald Durrell nodded. For some time, he had generated a program to identify the mammal animals belonging to zoos. However, for Billy, the most satisfying relationship was the Crocodile Hunter program, which had an animal-focused show for children.
Since the Discovery Kids (Lux Kids) program was already mostly formed, they only observed accelerated growth in the programming, led by Steve Irwin, an Australian zoologist. -
***
-On October 16th, the grand premiere of Pokémon took place. The introduction of the anime was capitalized with an hour-long program, which captured the attention of many viewers.
The simultaneous launch in Japan and the United States, both at 5:00 PM local time, was sudden and aligned with the constant collections of games and significant investments made by Lux Animation… it was simply fantastic.
-How are the popularity ratings? - asked Jim Gianopulos to Ethan Harrigan.
-Very good. We had a total average of 1.5 screens, with the strongest points at the beginning of the program and at minute 34, where we peaked at 1.8 million screens available, - commented Ethan Harrigan, the programming director responsible for maintaining order across all channels.
The programming runs from 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM with The Dexter Show, 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM with Rocko’s Modern Life, 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM with The Powerpuff Girls, 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM with Recess, 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM with Train Souls, 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM with Rocky & Bullwinkle, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM with Billy & Mandy, 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM with Tales of the Brothers Green, 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM with Hey Arnold!, 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM with Captain Tsubasa, 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM with Samurai Jack, 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM with Gargoyles, 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM with Amy & Puffy. The schedule repeats in the same order until 6:00 PM.
The evening programming begins at 6:00 PM with Hardman Slash, followed by Trigun, Samurai Jack, X-Men, and Spider-Man, each with one-hour double episodes, then Dexter, Captain Tsubasa, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Knights of the Zodiac.
With the new Pokémon programming, a slot was opened at 5:00 PM for Pokémon, as some series moved to Lux Kids (Discovery Kids), such as Rocko’s Modern Life, Amy & Puffy, which also repeats on Lux Toons, and some parts of Comedy Central featuring The Dexter Show, South Park, and Trigun as headliners.
-Fantastic, the company has many plans for this series. Make sure to organize the commercials so the members can start watching, - commented Jim.
He hoped to increase viewership ratings and the viability of the franchise.
However, it was unusual for a company to publish a global series, and soon enough, a movie was expected to be tested the following year. This time it was a product entirely by Lux Animation.
From Europe, Asia, America, and Oceania, people watched the new Pokémon children’s series.
-We rotated everything possible. Pokémon is nearly at its maximum in advertising and marketing, - commented Ethan Harrington.
-Very well, I think I'll stop by in the coming days, - said Jim Gianopulos.
Climbing from the fourth floor to the fifth, he sought Billy's office, which was in his morning practice. Now and then, Billy appeared and dedicated hours to taking notes on all the animated series, comics, and video games. One Piece was at episode 82, Slam Dunk at 291, just six episodes from its finale, Shaman King and Rurouni Kenshin at 166, Hunter x Hunter at 23, Digimon at 12, and Yu-Gi-Oh! at 22 episodes…
Meanwhile, they had also adjusted to publishing David Jill's American series, the Star Wars comics, Warhammer, Power Rangers, Transformers, Dungeons & Dragons, and Men in Black, where freelancers or the creators themselves would occasionally expand the series.
-Billy, - Jim Gianopulos entered.
-Was it a success? - Billy asked.
-It was, and I think by November 1st when we capitalize on the children's programming, these people will start another war against us, - Billy commented.
-The results have been great, - said Jim Gianopulos, taking a glass of water from the table beside him. The conversation was beginning. The company's next goal was to acquire a film company, following Artisan's failure, with important prospects subject to two critical things: the success of Lilo & Stitch, Ice Age, and Jerry Maguire.
It is scheduled for November 13th, December 4th, and February 12th.
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