Jack Welch shook his head, offering some advice. "Dunn, it's great that you've got that youthful drive, but don't let it make you cocky! Redstone may be old, but his life experience is his biggest asset. Underestimate a guy like that, and you'll regret it big time."
Dunn grinned. "I'm not underestimating him! Okay, maybe for a bit I wasn't too impressed, but you've set me straight, and I'm seeing things differently now. No worries, though—I've got some tricks up my sleeve. I can toss Redstone a bone, get him to ease off on my TV network for a while."
Welch chuckled, half-amused, half-exasperated. "That might buy you some time, but it's not a long-term fix! Once he sees you as a real threat, those little favors won't mean squat."
Viacom's got the biggest cable network in the U.S. Sure, if Disney finishes integrating their shiny new Fox Family Channel, they might edge ahead in market share.
But compared to Dunn Films? Viacom's a freaking titan!
When Welch ran GE, he'd scooped up NBC, so he knew a thing or two about TV. In his view, building a TV network from the ground up takes a solid decade—minimum!
Even Fox's network, backed by News Corp's deep pockets, took 20 years to claw its way to about 15% market share. It's still nowhere near the old giants—ABC, NBC, CBS.
This is an industry built on time and viewer habits.
Sure, Dunn might pull some strings to delay Redstone's crackdown. But that's just a Band-Aid. In the long grind of growing a TV network, Viacom's hammer's gonna drop eventually!
When it does, it'll be a disaster.
All that hard work? Down the drain.
Dunn clearly didn't see it that way. His face radiated confidence as he smiled. "Mr. Welch, in my book, buying some time is plenty!"
"Hm?" Welch raised an eyebrow. "You think you can break Viacom's stranglehold?"
"No way!" Dunn waved it off. "Viacom's a beast—untouchable for now. But their TV business? It's mostly basic cable networks. Mr. Welch, I don't know if this'll make sense to you, but my network, TA, is a premium cable network. Viacom's got Showtime in that space, and yeah, they're strong, but they're not invincible."
Premium cable's a newer game—higher fees, extra subscription costs, and you need a special decoder box to get the signal.
Welch nodded. "I know—HBO and Showtime. But those two are backed by huge media conglomerates with deep content libraries and decades of growth. You really think you can muscle into that market quick?"
Dunn paused, then smiled. "Mr. Welch, traditional TV—public networks, basic cable—makes money off ads. Premium cable? No commercials. That means premium cable's a totally different beast from the Big Three networks or the thousands of basic cable channels out there. Different business model, different mindset."
Welch's eyes narrowed slightly, watching this young guy across from him talk with such swagger. That confidence? It reminded him of himself back in the day.
At 30, Welch had gone to bat for a project, convincing GE to drop $10 million on a Norrell Plastics factory. He'd volunteered to run it himself.
That move kicked off his rise to ruling GE.
Now, looking at Dunn's hustle, edge, and self-assurance, Welch saw a guy who might just outshine his younger self.
No wonder Dunn had skyrocketed in just a few years—his charisma was off the charts.
Dunn went on, "Premium cable's no different from the movie business in my mind. It all boils down to one thing: content is king! Pearl Harbor had all the hype in the world, but no substance—it flopped. Last year, Dunn Films was staring down bankruptcy. Then Spider-Man hit, and boom—we're the seventh major player in Hollywood! Content's my ace in the hole!"
Welch shook his head, amused. "You're talking about Band of Brothers?"
By now, everyone in America had heard: Steven Spielberg, Dunn Walker, and Tom Hanks—three Hollywood heavyweights—had teamed up, sunk $120 million into a WWII miniseries. It was making waves.
Dunn didn't deny it. "Right now, TA's airing our original show Six Feet Under. Band of Brothers is up next."
Welch wasn't sold. "You think one or two shows can rewrite the rules of premium cable? Dunn, that's a pipe dream."
"Haha! Mr. Welch, you're the expert in management, but content? That's my turf," Dunn said, his tone edging toward cocky.
Welch's brow furrowed, a little annoyed.
Dunn pressed on, "Mr. Welch, traditional industries—manufacturing, say—might need time to grow, like you said. But movies and premium cable? Sometimes it doesn't take years of groundwork. It's like a star blowing up overnight. Spider-Man made Dunn Films a household name in one go. Band of Brothers can do the same for TA Network—straight to the top!"
Welch shook his head repeatedly. As an old-school businessman, he was like Hollywood's method actors—grind it out, build it slow. The idea of an overnight sensation? He just couldn't buy it. "Dunn, you're way too confident."
Dunn shrugged casually. "Confidence comes from strength! Dunn Films has Spider-Man and Never Sinking—those bailed me out of big trouble. Six Feet Under and Band of Brothers? They're TA Network's ticket to glory."
Welch smirked. "So, in your head, if you can keep Redstone off your back for a few months, you're sure you can flip the script on Showtime and dominate premium cable?"
"Exactly!"
Dunn's confidence impressed Welch, but their mindsets were worlds apart.
Taking a deep breath, Welch smiled. "After retiring from GE, I'm planning to start an MBA program. Plus, I'm launching Jack Welch Consulting, partnering with a few promising companies. You've got a big name, so I've had my eye on you for a while."
Dunn's face shifted. "Man, if I'd known, I would've just gone along with you earlier—what an opportunity!"
Partnering with Jack Welch Consulting would be like having Welch himself as Dunn Films' economic guru.
An elder in the house is worth a fortune!
Welch's management expertise and strategic know-how could give Dunn's company a massive boost.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Welch said, waving it off. "Here's the deal: let's see how it plays out. If TA Network really does what you say—if two shows can upend Showtime's decades-long grip—I'll come work for your company as a consultant. That is, if you don't mind an old guy like me."
"Are you kidding?"
Dunn's eyes lit up, barely containing his excitement.
This was huge!
Welch wasn't Hollywood, but business strategy and management? Universal skills. Plus, his reputation and connections were a goldmine!
Even better, consultants don't double-dip in the same industry.
If Welch joined Dunn Films, he'd be off-limits to potential rivals like Disney, News Corp, Viacom, or Comcast.
In the media game, Dunn would be Welch's one and only.
And down the line, when Dunn made a play for a public network? CBS belongs to Viacom, ABC's with Disney—that leaves NBC, owned by GE.
With Welch's pull at GE, that deal would be a slam dunk.
The perks were endless!
Dunn shot to his feet, grabbing Welch's hand with both of his, pumped. "Mr. Welch, I'm so grateful for this chance. I know we're gonna have an awesome partnership!"
"Hold up! I haven't agreed yet—this is a betting deal."
"A bet?"
Dunn laughed out loud. "You're so gonna lose!"
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