Chapter 709: 244, Plan the whole New Jersey
The battle for the Baku Oil Field was bound to be a long drawn-out struggle, and after Donnie had arranged everything, he turned his attention more to the United States.
The Gambling Techniques competition officially began its course.
Gambling masters from around the world joined the feast, igniting the enthusiasm throughout Atlantic City.
Winter is actually the off-season for tourism in Atlantic City; during this time, the number of tourists is at its lowest, and before Donnie’s arrival, many pubs and boarding houses in Atlantic City would even close for winter.
“The winters in Atlantic City are getting better and better!”
Nucky wrapped his coat around himself and couldn’t help but exclaim as he looked at the still bustling crowds on the boardwalk.
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However, Donnie wore a helpless expression, “Everyone who likes to gamble has come to Atlantic City, and as a result, no one is listening to the Gambling Techniques competition on the radio!”
Seeing Donnie’s helpless expression, Nucky couldn’t help but laugh heartily, “Donnie, you should be content. Since we’ve known each other, you’ve been winning all along. Now, it’s acceptable to experience failure occasionally.
The scene at the Gambling Techniques competition was bustling with excitement, yet this popularity failed to reflect in ABC’s online listenership ratings!
Apparently, the wider American audience wasn’t very eager about such gambling competitions.
They couldn’t even compare to some of the sports broadcasts that had just begun.
This issue gave Donnie a headache; after all, he had planned to make the Gambling Techniques competition a fixed winter event for ABC every year!
But judging from the current situation, it was clear that this plan would have to be scrapped!
“However, the radio drama and ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ have set new listening records, bringing in more revenue for ABC!”
Not wanting to see Nucky look pleased, Donnie delivered him a figurative punch.
ABC’s radio drama and the quiz show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ had launched at this time, and both programs were immediately liked by the audience upon their debut.
Donnie also listened to ABC’s radio drama, similar to a situation comedy of later generations, the main characters of this drama were the ‘Simpsons’ family!
That’s right, it was a radio drama version of the future American animated series “The Simpsons.”
Each episode revolved around a story and unfolded with American-style humor, a format clearly well-loved by the US audience, and quickly “The Simpsons” became the most popular program of that time slot, garnering over twenty million listeners!
“I really want to know what goes on in your mind, how you can come up with both stunning business plans and radio dramas like ‘The Simpsons’!”
Nucky was used to being stimulated by Donnie’s success, so he wasn’t concerned about Donnie’s pride, only amazed.
The creative idea for “The Simpsons” naturally came from Donnie, who discussed it with the writers hired by ABC, and during these discussions, Donnie communicated the core story of “The Simpsons” to them; then those writers were able to script the story well within the existing framework!
“But what really amazes me is ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’; the program is so compelling that even I can’t help but stay by the radio every day to listen to it!”
Nucky continued to express his admiration.
If “The Simpsons” is still just an outstanding radio drama at this time, then the launch of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ could be described as a phenomenal program in the history of American commercial radio!
This isn’t what Donnie said.
It’s what the major American media and newspapers are saying.
Nowadays, after each episode of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ newspapers across America would publish all the questions from the show to engage the entire American audience in the quiz.
The simplest fact is, now, during the broadcast of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,’ other commercial radio stations have started to yield during this time slot, putting out reasons to maintain their standing in the industry and let their stations rest!
Donnie laughed happily, “So, have you called the staff of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ to sign up?”
With a dismissive look, Nucky said, “I’m going to New York in a couple of days, and I’m leaving you in charge of everything here in Atlantic City!”
Donnie paused, then asked, “Weren’t you planning to go to New York after Christmas?”
Before Donnie’s return to Atlantic City, Nucky had his own personal habits and lifestyle, which included leaving Atlantic City after Christmas to enjoy a life of luxury in New York.
But due to the many things Donnie got involved with in Atlantic City, this led to Nucky not being able to go to New York the past two years, only resuming his habit last year!
Nucky took out a US dollar and handed it to a flower-selling girl, then he continued, “With you here, I have nothing to worry about in Atlantic City. Whether I go earlier or later, it’s all the same!”
Donnie nodded and didn’t say much more about it.
Although Donnie didn’t voice it out loud, he had noticed that Nucky had recently been appropriately ceding power, relinquishing his say in Atlantic City with a semi-retired air.
As for Nucky’s attitude, naturally, Donnie was supportive of it.