Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 785 AOL squeezed into AOL
……

The Gulf War was an unprecedented lesson in modern high-tech military affairs and a fierce competition for influence in the global media.

Just on January 1, at 16:23 GMT, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN all invariably broadcast the scene of the Gulf War that might start live via satellite, presenting to the audience.

How difficult is this thing?
CBS was the first to make a fool of itself—its war correspondent, Dan Rather, couldn't get in touch with Pisay, a front-line reporter stationed in Baghdad.Embarrassed, he could only face the camera and repeatedly quoted the latest news from the Associated Press.

Then, not long after, Gray Shepard of ABC, who was explaining the war, suddenly disappeared from the screen; There is no sound.

In stark contrast to the poor performance of the three major traditional TV networks, CNN continued to broadcast live broadcasts for 17 consecutive hours, making it the first time for the world to simultaneously watch the live broadcast of the multinational coalition air strikes on Baghdad, and immediately gained the limelight. Covering all peers, its logo is deeply imprinted in the minds of all audiences.

I have to say that although everyone is gearing up to prepare a lot for the news reports of the Gulf War, there is still a difference in the degree of adequacy.

Cable News Network, which was prepared for a rainy day, obtained six satellite phones from Iraqi officials at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars through various connections a few months before the war broke out.

After the multinational forces launched a large-scale air strike, all international telecommunication lines in Iraq and Kuwait were cut off, and journalists stationed in the Middle East from all over the world could only rely on a telephone line from Iraq to Amman, the capital of Jordan, to communicate.

This sudden turn of events left various media organizations at a loss what to do, leaving only CNN to continue to spread the news in Iraq, which is equivalent to indirectly obtaining the exclusive right to report on the Gulf War and becoming the world's source for understanding Iraq's internal news. sole source.

Even when U.S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney was asked about the bombing of Baghdad by U.S. aircraft in his first press conference on the war situation, he half-jokingly replied: "So far, the most detailed reports come from CNN. According to CNN News Network reporters from Baghdad hotels reported that the airstrike was highly accurate and quite successful. At least, that’s what CNN said.”

US President Bush even learned that Baghdad has been attacked by multinational forces through the live broadcast of CNN.

Baghdad-based CNN reporters like John Holliman and Peter Arnett did a fine job, reporting via satellite phone five minutes after the first round of airstrikes: Yes, Baghdad is now in blackout, I'm going back to the window to see what's going on...I see a building in the distance that was hit by a missile, and there's a blinding flame, "

This immersive sense of seeing the scene of the war naturally makes CNN, which reports news around the clock, a news source that ordinary people and other media cannot ignore.

With its unique ability to report the internal situation in Iraq, Cable News Network has gained great favor from the US government and military.

Because in the Vietnam War, uncontrolled media public opinion led to a domestic anti-war wave, so in the Gulf War, the US government and military restricted the so-called freedom of the press very strictly—most news reports From the press conferences organized by the army; only selected journalists were allowed to visit the front lines and interview soldiers, always in the presence of officers.

These interviews must be approved by the military before the interviews, and the military inspections after the interviews have been interpreted as "to prevent Iraq from obtaining classified information."

Under such circumstances, CNN, which has exclusive reports on Iraqi internal news, can also get the latest authoritative news from the United States, the leader on the other side of the war, directly making it even more powerful.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who was hiding in an underground bunker, tuned the TV to the CNN channel to learn about the latest developments in the United States.

Most leaders of other Middle Eastern countries also ordered their aides to take turns to monitor the CNN reports 24 hours a day, and immediately formulate corresponding military and diplomatic countermeasures once they found valuable and important news.

This kind of two-faced eating is too powerful-relying on it, CNN finally got its wish to become the most influential media in the world today.

It must be pointed out that this influence is not imaginary, but has turned into reality.

CNN, which has the authority of the real "uncrowned king", whenever it asks a unique and tricky question, whether it is the multinational force or the Iraqi side, they will involuntarily and have to make a direct response. Interpretation and related statements, hoping to control the development of the situation in this way, so that public opinion is beneficial to oneself.

In addition, politicians and diplomats from various countries have also actively participated in the special discussions and interview programs of CNN, hoping to use these stages to express their respective views and achieve their own goals.

It is no exaggeration to say that the current cable news network is not only conducting simple news reports, but also greatly expanding the communication channels between the two warring parties, thus profoundly affecting the situation of the entire Gulf War and the world. The diplomatic attitudes of many countries, and even the decision-making process of international relations.

If it is said that the Second World War made the British Broadcasting Corporation's media status, then the current Gulf War has forged the glory of CNN.

In just over a month, Ted Turner, who had tasted the taste of the "King of Kings" in the media world, was so happy that he sat in Tang Huan's office and did not leave. A bottle of red wine, savoring it contentedly.

"Don, our plan is really perfect in planning and implementation. All the goals have been realized, and CNN has become number_one in the industry."

Tang Huan tapped on the keyboard of his laptop, and said with a smile, "You, the boss of CNN, now have such an influence that if you stomp your feet, the whole earth will tremble—this year's The Person of the Year of the Times is none other than you."

Ted Turner squinted his eyes and replied, "The title of Time Man of the Year is indeed good, but if I can eat the entire Time Warner in my stomach, I believe it will feel even better."

"Your appetite is really good enough." Tang Huan reminded slightly shaking his head: "Time Warner, which has successfully merged, is in full swing, and it is not a bone to chew, and CEO Steve Ross is not A fuel-efficient lamp."

"I heard that Steve Rose's health is not optimistic, and he has neglected his official duties." Ted Turner broke the news.

Tang Huan thought for a while, and then slowly said: "In the entire Time Warner Group, the original Time Group is definitely full of talents. Even if Steve Ross can no longer take charge of the government, it will not be easy to deal with."

Although Ted Turner was in high spirits, he still attached great importance to Tang Huan's opinion.He nodded, "Then we'll wait for CNN to grow."

Tang Huan muttered, "Why is America Online's access speed a bit stuck?" Then he got up and paced and analyzed: "Turner Broadcasting's next expansion direction is indeed very compatible with Time Warner in terms of complementarity, but The point is, we can't lose out in company politics, but instead become fat in other people's mouths."

"The two of us continue to cooperate overtly and covertly, there is nothing to be afraid of." Ted Turner waved his hand broadly, "Murdoch has suffered from us."

No wonder Ted Turner is so confident. According to the survey, CNN once created a spectacular scene where more than 10 billion people around the world watched the program at the same time during the Gulf War, making all colleagues lose their voices, including of course Rupert Murdoch's old rival News Corp.

"This is indeed true." Tang Huan said in deep thought: "However, the top priority is that the cable news network must digest the resources obtained from the Gulf War news reports as soon as possible. After all, the care from the White House is a special case where there is no such store in this village. "

Ted Turner agreed deeply, and then he also stood up and walked around.He came to Tang Huan's notebook and glanced at it, jokingly said, "If America Online wasn't burning too much money, I think Turner Broadcasting Company could buy it."

In the media war that accompanied the Gulf War, America Online played the role of the official website of CNN. Many materials that could not be fully released in traditional media channels were poured into this virtual network space; Registered use by members of the media.

It can be said that AOL also benefited a lot from the media war in the Gulf War, for example, the audience has increased the number of elites and experts in more fields.

Plus, the internet is getting more and more involved in current fashion trends—with The Silence of the Lambs opening on Valentine's Day in the West, AOL's movie community has "I_am_freaked_out!"—"Scare me to death." !” added to the catchphrase that even professional film critics described as exuding “a chilling vibe.”

So that Graphics_Interchange_Format specially developed by Zheru for the Internet—the image interchange format, that is, GIF, has a more eye-catching gameplay—AOL specially invites the actor who plays the leading role in "Home Alone" Macaulay Culkin produced a GIF animation called "Baby Scared to Death", regardless of the regional differences in North America, Europe or Asia, it was spread overwhelmingly by the entire Internet.

"The Silence of the Lambs" earned close to 1500 million US dollars at the box office in the first weekend after its public release. It took only a week to earn back the shooting cost, which proved its success in commercial value and is expected to become The top grossing film of 1991.

Movie theaters that originally didn't expect "The Silence of the Lambs" to be successful at the box office, seeing the contract in their hands that will be released until October this year, don't mention how annoyed they are, contacting Orion Films one after another to see if they can discuss it.

In short, AOL's popularity has skyrocketed as the number of visits has surged.

Regarding Ted Turner's insinuation, Tang Huan said leisurely: "There are many buyers who want to get AOL, but it is not for sale now."

"AOL is preparing for an IPO?" Ted Turner asked tentatively again.

"The second half of this year has been confirmed, or next year at the latest." Tang Huan replied affirmatively.

"At that time, there will definitely be another star stock bearing your mark on the stock market." Ted Turner complimented sincerely.

"Boss, Silicon Valley One is ready." The assistant reported during the chat between the two.

When Ted Turner came this time, he sent a news gathering team along the way, because the richest man will go to the Middle East again—the Kuwaiti royal family who has successfully restored the country, how could they forget to invite old friends to witness the results.

……

In the process of retreating from Kuwait, the Iraqi army destroyed all the way. Before Silicon Valley One landed, Tang Huan saw the raging oil field fire from a distance in the air. Kuwait, which had been looted, became more and more The ground is devastated.

Ambition is such a disaster for the country and the people. Not only has Kuwait suffered a lot, but ordinary people in Iraq are also in dire straits at this time.

The CNN reporter who accompanied him told Tang Huan a piece of news passed on by his colleagues—in order to vent his anger, Baghdala was home to a large number of Western media and diplomats, including CNN war reporters. The Royal Tulip Hotel Sid has set up the face of US President Bush on the ground at the gate, so that everyone who stays in the hotel can step on it-this is a very serious insult in the Arab world.

Tang Huan just shook his head, "Poor! Sad!"

At this time, Kuwait is busy liquidating—those Palestinians who supported the invaders during the Iraqi invasion, fuck off!Yemenis, get lost too!As for the Kuwaiti nationals, basically forget the past.

The arrival of the richest man naturally received the warm hospitality from the royal family of Kuwait.

Tang Huan’s trip was not in vain. Kuwait’s post-war reconstruction would cost at least hundreds of billions of dollars—if there is too much, if you give one-tenth of it to an old friend, you will be full of greasy food.

After attending the plain Arabian funeral of Prince Fahd, Tang Huan and the Kuwaiti royal family mainly talked about these issues.

When the richest man finished all his work and returned to the United States, the date of Jobs' wedding was also confirmed.

Tang Huan turned on his laptop, intending to log in to America Online, and made a happy announcement on his exclusive page, only to find that the access speed was as slow as a snail, and "America_On_Line——America Online became America_On_Hold——American Busy Line" was everywhere. Tucao.

(End of this chapter)