AC Media spent $16 billion to acquire ABC, news which quickly spread throughout the business world. By the end of September and the beginning of October 1995, it became the most shocking news and the hottest topic, even surpassing Microsoft which was soaring due to the release of Windows 95. Though Microsoft had developed over more than a decade to achieve its current success, AC Media, only four years old, had first acquired TBS and then ABC. Such feats could perhaps not be matched by others.
Business media outlets shifted all their attention to Claude Ronris, the young head of AC Media not yet in his thirties. His various business tactics were continually brought up, and the speech he gave at the press conference after the signing was analyzed word by word. Despite Claude's experience in attending press conferences, he was somewhat overwhelmed by the frenzied journalists.
