America 1982

Three satellite lines ensuring television reception around the world, hundreds of foreign correspondents, and a headquarters staff of up to 500 people in Washington.

Although Wolf Tucker did not pay for all this himself, as the CEO of VOX News Network, he still couldn't help but feel frightened. This means that every day VOX is broadcast, it consumes what ordinary people earn in a lifetime. less than the banknotes.

Yes, Tommy's limited news network is called VOX. In Tommy's words, V stands for Wolf Tucker, VOX is wolf, and FOX is fox, which means that sooner or later, their American gray wolf will swallow FOX. Head fox.

The tone was loud and the preparation speed was fast, but VOX's performance after it actually started broadcasting was extremely poor. Today is January 4, 1989. The VOX News Channel has been broadcasting to the world for a month, but it only has a miserable 1.6 million subscribers. Not only are the data dismal, but the reputation is also a mess.

Not only the United States, but news media all over the world are laughing at the VOX News Network, which Tommy spent countless money to build, and they are ridiculing the sharp contrast between unprofessional American reporters and the professional American military.

Why is there such blatant ridicule? It is very simple. Although VOX News Network has high investment and many foreign reporters, in fact, many of its reporters seriously lack professional standards in the eyes of the news industry, and the news broadcast method is more monotonous. The studio connects with foreign correspondents to deliver the so-called news that VOX believes is worthy of broadcasting from all over the world.

But a lot of news is very boring. For example, some reporters will interview U.S. troops stationed abroad or the U.S. Navy's life on ships. Some reporters will interview the American people's opinions on Bush's election as president. In short, there is absolutely no news worthy of everyone's attention. .

Foreigners do not care how American soldiers live on the ship, nor do they care what the image of the American president is in the eyes of ordinary Americans.

"Tommy, do you really think it's right to let those reporters broadcast all kinds of fast food news every day without any content preparation? Are you sure we really don't consider the news star system?" Wolf Tucker no longer knows that he How many times have Tommy been asked to produce several programs that favor news stars?

The so-called news star system does not mean inviting entertainment stars to serve as news guests. In fact, stars refer to the anchors of news programs on major television networks in the United States. These people present news with clear angles and have very in-depth comments. They gather a group of people all year round. Audiences who like him hosting news programs.

Wolfe suggested that Tommy lay off some of the foreign correspondents who did not look very professional, and spend money to hire two to three well-known news program hosts in the United States. This would at least ensure that VOX subscribers would receive a boost. The considerable increase has temporarily silenced those news colleagues who have been mocking VOX.

Nowadays, VOX has become the laughing stock of the American television industry. The FOX TV network even specially opened a small section in its own program "VOX Today's Funny News Record", which is specifically responsible for catching the mistakes of young VOX reporters who are working hard overseas. moment.

Wolfe knew that the ratings of that program were even higher than the entire VOX channel.

"If they don't want an annual salary of millions and can accept the same salary as our current hosts, of course I welcome them to join." Wolfe remembers Tommy giving the same answer every time.

In the studio, Wolfe stared at the host in the studio lobby who was broadcasting the Los Angeles Rams charity event with Los Angeles reporters, and rubbed his eyebrows. The host had just made another obvious slip of the tongue and said something wrong. In one word, this means that its own news channel has successfully provided new jokes for FOX's satirical program.

"Wolf! Look at the screen! Listen to the news!" A director wearing headphones suddenly took off his headphones and quickly ran his fingers over the buttons on the console. Then, the screen in front of him immediately switched to another screen.

Although Wolf felt that the other party was making a fuss, he still picked up the headphones and stared at the screen.

On the screen was a male reporter who was in his mid-twenties at most. He was standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier and said loudly to the camera:

"This is the Gulf of Sidra in the Mediterranean Sea! My location is the USS Kennedy aircraft carrier at sea. Our VOX reporter team originally followed the aircraft carrier's cruise to do a special feature on interviewing and recording the life of American soldiers at sea, but now there is an emergency! Just now, I I saw the boys around me getting ready for battle! It seems that there are two Soviet-made fighter jets in Libya intercepting our early warning aircraft ahead! Now, the fighter jets on the aircraft carrier are preparing to take off..."

"Cut off the sports news! Insert into the studio lobby! Now!" Wolfe's eyes lit up and he spoke immediately.

The director quickly used the microphone to notify the host, who was still chatting about rugby with the reporter, to be ready to interrupt. The five-second countdown was in progress, and during the five-second countdown, the host had already quickly called to the reporter with the help of the prompter board. The audience who may be in front of the TV briefly introduced the situation:

"During the normal cruise of the USS Kennedy, Libya sent fighter jets to try to intercept the airborne electronic reconnaissance aircraft sent by the USS Kennedy. Now the fighter jets on the aircraft carrier have taken off to fight!"

When the countdown ended, the screen suddenly turned, and the VOX News Channel suddenly showed footage of the Mediterranean aircraft carrier.

At 10:02 am on January 4, 1989, VOX News Network spread a piece of news that shocked the whole world at the fastest speed in the world and from a front-line perspective:

Two F-14 fighter jets from the USS Kennedy aircraft carrier flew over Libya's airspace and successfully shot down two Libyan Soviet-made MiG-23 fighter jets that tried to intercept the USS Kennedy's carrier-based electronic reconnaissance aircraft in eight minutes! There were no casualties in the US Navy. Two Libyan pilots bailed out before the missile was shot down. Currently, the USS Kennedy aircraft carrier has continued sailing according to its established route.

Although VOX reporters were not able to capture footage of the exchange of fire between fighters from both sides because they were on an aircraft carrier nearly a hundred nautical miles away, the footage of two F-14s and an electronic reconnaissance aircraft taking off and returning to land was captured. Clearly!

Even the scene of the pilot stepping out of the plane, saluting and reporting to his superiors was filmed, and was immediately transmitted to the world through his own channel.

While the director was frantically using the teleprompter board to prepare topics for the host to ask reporters, Wolfe stared at the TV screens in front of him and cut the picture to other cable networks around the world. It turned out that VOX had already broadcast Five minutes into this news, no news network has reported this news!

At the seventh minute, the director received the news. The Associated Press sent out a brief text news: Two carrier-based fighter jets of the USS Kennedy aircraft carrier engaged in a firefight with two Libyan fighter jets in the Mediterranean Sea. There were no US casualties.

At this time, on the VOX TV screen, our own reporter stood on the aircraft carrier and continued to introduce more detailed situations, and even gave the specific location of the battle!

Until this moment, Wolfe was extremely grateful for Tommy's decision. He also understood why Tommy spent money recklessly, opened up connections, and sent his reporters to various large-scale military overseas under the pretext of recording the service life of soldiers. On base or on an aircraft carrier!

Usually, those reporters only promote the good moral character of the US military. In order to please those people, they photograph American soldiers like saints, just to record them as soon as a war occurs!

Although the method is a bit stupid and requires a certain amount of luck, it seems now that this piece of news is worth the price of admission!

"Tommy?" Wolf came to his senses, quickly ran back to his office, and dialed Tommy's phone: "Tommy! Turn on the TV! We got the first major news that was premiered in the world!"

When Wolfe called, Tommy was baking with Otilia at home, because Otilia had to leave for a few more days to attend a charity event in New York. Today was the last day to stay in Los Angeles. Tommy Deliberately make time to spend with her.

Hearing Wolfe's excited voice, Tommy reacted very calmly: "Let the host and reporters buy time. Remember the number I am reporting to you. The other person's name is Charles Salmon. He is an alumnus of mine and is currently working at I am a graduate student at Yale and working part-time at a think tank. You reported my name and said that I need guests to comment online. He will help you arrange enough professional guests to comment on this news. This is something I have contacted him for a long time. , his mentors and guests who work in think tanks need to increase their visibility around the world through VOX, and we need to let the world see VOX’s professional reviews.”

After saying that, Tommy hung up the phone, and Otilia looked at Tommy: "What happened?"

"Nothing, I think...VOX gave the global news industry a loud slap in the face." Tommy shrugged:

"They will see that in addition to breaking the record for the lowest global subscriber base before, VOX will also break another record for the fastest growing subscriber base in the world."

"Are you going to do some work?" Otilia asked Tommy while wearing baking gloves, preparing to take out her carefully crafted delicacies from the oven.

Tommy walked over with a smile, put the gloves on his hands, and then carefully opened the oven: "No, not today, being with you is always the most important thing."