madnovel Chapter 48, "White Night," is now available.
Chapter 48, "White Night," is now available.
"Isn't this still a lack of trust in us? They genuinely believe that we, who come from web series, can't carry their prime time slots." Guo Fan's pent-up anger was reignited.
"Those people in the TV industry are so arrogant! They think their methods are the only legitimate ones, and that our web dramas are just crooked and unacceptable! Are the statistics for 'Yu Zui' fake? Can't they see that?!"
Even though they are the team that created the hit series "Yu Zui", they still seem to carry a certain "original sin" in the eyes of traditional television professionals.
Qi Yue ignored Guo Fan's complaints and remained silent.
Deep down, he was actually more arrogant than Guo Fan and less inclined to fawn over anyone.
If Xu Wei hadn't repeatedly emphasized that their dramas only qualify for mainstream awards if they were broadcast on a major television network, it would have been crucial for enhancing Tongfan's industry standing and attracting resources and talent.
He even wanted to end the collaboration immediately.
"Qi Yue, how about we do something else? Maybe we can get Sister Xu to put in some more effort."
"No need." Qi Yue shook his head, his tone calm but resolute. "You don't need to do anything."
"Huh?" Guo Fan was taken aback.
"The fact that they put 'White Night' in a non-prime time slot is their problem, not ours," Qi Yue said calmly.
"We don't need to beg them, nor do we need to prove anything. The film has already been submitted, and its quality speaks for itself. Their lack of attention stems from a problem with their vision and mechanisms."
He paused, as if looking through the walls of the ward and into the distance:
"Brother Fan, remember, our main battlefield has never been television. It's the internet, video websites, and the ever-growing number of streaming media users. For us, television broadcasts are more of a 'stepping stone,' an 'additional question' to expand our influence. If they offer good slots, we welcome it; if not, it doesn't matter. Don't place too much hope and energy on them."
As Guo Fan listened, the pent-up frustration in his chest suddenly dissipated.
Ultimately, he was still limited by traditional thinking, always believing that a show could only be considered truly successful if it aired on television, with a fixed time and number of episodes every day.
However, they started with web series, and "Yu Zui" became a hit online. The foundation and the greatest expected revenue of "Day and Night" are entirely online.
While the TV station's recognition is certainly a bonus, it's not a lifeline, and it's not worth getting hung up on.
"I understand." Guo Fan nodded emphatically.
"Then let's stick to the original plan and focus on negotiating with a few video websites! As for Gan Ning, we'll broadcast according to their arrangements, and we'll just cooperate with the publicity."
With the matters at the TV station finally concluded, Guo Fan glanced at the time, figuring Li Qing should be back by now.
"Qi Yue, you should take a good rest these few days. You can leave the studio matters to me."
As he spoke, he pulled a banana from the fruit basket, peeled it, and handed it to him.
Qi Yue took the banana and smiled helplessly.
Being sick is a really unpleasant thing, especially for a workaholic like him.
For many people, what they actually hate is not the job itself, but rather the meaningless and tedious work.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, Qi Yue, after being reborn, got the most interesting job in the world.
To be a director.
"Brother Fan, next time you come, don't bring me lilies. What would it look like for a grown man to have lilies in his bouquet? Besides, you should at least bring me a vase, otherwise where am I supposed to put them?"
"I didn't bring these lilies," Guo Fan said, looking at the lilies that had popped out of the fruit basket, expressing his innocence.
"Are you a ghost or something?"
"It really wasn't me, it was that girl Nazha." Guo Fan shook his head repeatedly.
"Nazha?"
"When I arrived, I happened to run into her coming out downstairs. She looked furious, like someone had offended her. She gave me the flowers and left in a taxi without even saying goodbye. What, she didn't come? She even asked me for your room number."
Qi Yue stared blankly at the slightly wilted lilies on the bedside table.
"Oh, I've been here before."
Just then, the rustling sound of plastic bags came from outside the door.
Guo Fan immediately stood up, a relaxed smile on his face:
"Alright, you get some rest. I'll go back and keep an eye on post-production. Don't worry!"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, the ward door was pushed open.
Li Qing walked in carrying a newly bought razor and a plastic bag containing snacks.
She was somewhat surprised to see Guo Fan still there.
"Brother Fan, you haven't left yet?"
"I'm leaving now, I'm leaving now!" Guo Fan waved with a smile.
"Qi Yue, listen to Head Nurse Li and get some rest! I'm leaving now!"
After saying that, he winked at Qi Yue and quickly left the ward.
Li Qin walked to the bedside and also saw the cluster of somewhat wilted lilies.
"Brother Fan is really something, bringing flowers but not even remembering to buy a vase."
She looked around and found an empty mineral water bottle in the corner.
"Director Qi, how about I use a plastic bottle to make a vase?"
Qi Yue took one last look at the cluster of lilies, then closed his eyes to rest.
"OK."
......
Gan Ning TV, Office of the Director of Purchasing and Editorial Department.
Fan Jin held the ratings report for the first two episodes of "Day and Night" in her hand, her brows furrowed.
The numbers in the report were... a little better than he had expected.
But it's only slightly better.
The premiere episode garnered a 0.52% viewership rating and a 1.1% market share, placing it in the lower middle range among programs airing at 9 PM that evening.
For a web series that doesn't air during prime time and has a relatively hardcore subject matter, this start isn't bad, but it's certainly not outstanding either.
Now, sitting in front of him are the deputy director in charge of content and the director of the GG department.
"Old Fan, look, the data speaks for itself."
The head of the GG department shrugged, his tone carrying a hint of surprise, as if to say, "If only I had known."
"0.52%, this score would barely pass in our prime-time drama. It's worse than the rerun of 'Cliff' on the neighboring channel, not to mention the family drama 'Mother-in-Law Is Coming,' it's a whole lot worse."
"Our station's viewership is based on real audience numbers and engagement. I've heard that 'White Night' is of good quality, but the subject matter is too hard, and it's a suspenseful and mind-bending mystery. I doubt whether our main audience, especially middle-aged and elderly women who control the remote, will enjoy watching it."
The deputy director also spoke slowly, "Old Fan, I know you think highly of this film, that it's well-made and groundbreaking. But the station needs to consider the overall benefits and audience habits."
"Although the 9 PM time slot is not prime time, it is still an important viewership period. It is quite risky to put a drama with such high uncertainty here."
"We discussed giving 'White Night' more promotional resources at the previous meeting, but I think we should put that aside for now."
Fan Jin felt a surge of anger welling up inside her.
He was one of the few people who had seen the finished film of "White Nights" and was impressed by its cool texture, meticulous logic and the actors' superb performances.
He firmly believes that good works speak for themselves.
However, the station's decision-making mechanism dictates that they only value stable viewership data and prioritize "audience preferences" above all else.
But is what they consider "audience preferences" the real audience preferences?