I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Wu Youxue's idea was correct. Indeed, besides Mango TV, many other platforms were eager to get involved as soon as they heard the news of the sequel to Legend of Sword and Fairy.

"Mr. Zeng, I believe we have a significant advantage."

"After all, the first season aired on our platform. Now that the sequel is out, Feng Ge and Xu Kong should consider us first."

"It was thanks to our platform's operation that the first Chinese Paladin series became such a huge hit."

At a high-level meeting at Penguin.

A manager from one of the departments spoke up and shared his opinion.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he found that most of the people in the room were looking at him with an expression as if he were an idiot.

"In business cooperation, the first thing to get rid of is this kind of presumptuous mentality."

"Xu Kong has now had several in-depth collaborations with almost all three of our platforms."

"As for your claim that we made the first Legend of Sword and Fairy a hit, you don't think that the first Legend of Sword and Fairy wouldn't be popular if we switched to a different platform, do you?"

Zeng Xi answered expressionlessly.

This person is a department manager who was parachuted in from Tencent headquarters.

He is said to be a highly educated overseas returnee.

Moreover, he has a relationship with a certain leader at headquarters.

Of course, he would turn a blind eye to some trivial matters on ordinary days.

However, the importance of the copyright issue of Chinese Paladin 2 is self-evident, and we cannot allow this other party to give unsolicited instructions.

……

“Before, I was very confident.”

"After all, Feng Ge's relationship with iQiyi is not very good. In the end, the remaining platforms like Tudou Video are definitely not as financially strong as us."

"Even if it's still the same revenue-sharing model and the same profit-sharing ratio, we still have an advantage."

"But now Feng Ge has obviously resumed normal cooperation with iQiyi. The previous 'Squid Game' was probably a taste of success for them, and they will definitely fight for the copyright of Sword and Fairy 2."

Zeng Xi shared his views.

In fact, if we only consider personal relationships, he and Xu Kong have known each other the longest.

Even the first film he directed, "Someday or One Day," was a project he was specifically in charge of.

However, at this stage, it can no longer be affected by ordinary personal relationships.

Especially regarding the copyright of Legend of Sword and Fairy 2, it's highly likely that Xu Kong himself will only provide some opinions, while the specific negotiations will be handled by people under Feng Ge's company.

Zeng Xi began to regret it. After all, if he hadn't been so hesitant and had firmly believed in Xu Kong when Feng Ge was in crisis, the situation would probably be quite different now.

Zeng Xi genuinely did not believe that Xu Kong's own work would be affected by Feng Ge's severe loss of vitality.

But she never imagined that Xu Kong could lead Feng Ge to this point.

……

While the top executives at Tencent Video were struggling with a dilemma, Qin Xian was engaged in a heated debate with a group of scholars at iQiyi.

It has to be said that, for him, the collaboration on "The Squid Game" last time made Qin Xian think it through. In the future, as long as Xu Kong writes the script for any of Feng Ge's dramas, their platform will obtain the exclusive broadcasting rights.

Although he knew the process might not be easy, he didn't expect that even before he could truly compete head-on with other platforms, Kiwi would already be facing constant troubles internally.

"I think that if we continue with the previous revenue-sharing cooperation model, if we want to make money, we have to gamble that Xu Kong's Legend of Sword and Fairy 2 will be a huge hit."

"If the data is even slightly worse, we will lose money."

It was Xu Weijie who spoke first. In his opinion, Feng Ge's achievements should have been his own.

In the end, Qin Xian still managed to snatch it away without permission.

Moreover, because of the huge success of "Squid Game," this debt can't be settled yet, which is really infuriating.

Therefore, no matter what, he would be the first to stand up and oppose anything involving Qin Xian.

……

"If we don't fight for it, and this show will most likely air at the end of the year, then we can just surrender in advance."

Qin Xian answered calmly.

Another high-ranking official present then began to make sarcastic and mocking remarks.

"President Qin, aren't you being a bit too pessimistic?"

"Besides, weren't you the one who looked down on Xu Kong and Feng Ge the most before?"

Why are you so scared now?

Qin Xian remained calm in the face of this.

This is a dark chapter in his own history.

Previously, due to a feud with Xu Kong, she had missed out on the copyrights to many of Feng Ge's hit dramas.

Now that the relationship has been repaired after much effort, it's impossible to continue being stubborn.

I'm not sure about the film market yet, but in the current domestic TV drama market, Xu Kong's works really have a very high degree of dominance.

It's normal for it to become popular; it would be strange if it didn't.

……

"I've received word that Xu Kong is not only directing the sequel to Chinese Paladin 2, but the cast is also the same as the original cast from Chinese Paladin 1."

"In other words, Xu Kong will play the male lead role in it."

Qin Xian didn't want to dwell on these matters any longer, so he unleashed his ultimate move.

Sure enough, upon hearing Qin Xian's words, many people present changed their expressions.

"Is the news accurate?"

Someone asked with a serious expression.

Qin Xian nodded:

"The Legend of Sword and Fairy 2 is currently in the pre-production stage."

"There shouldn't be any major surprises."

……

"That's why I said that no matter what, we must get the exclusive broadcasting rights for this show."

Seeing that no one was speaking anymore, Qin Xian directly stated his position.

For many people, although it is said to be a sequel to Chinese Paladin, the director, actors and other details of this series are still unknown.

If Feng Ge's only purpose is to cultivate new talent, then he is specifically using an IP from the Legend of Sword and Fairy series.

Although this drama still has great potential, after all, it has Xu Kong's script as a guarantee and the popularity of the IP, so the probability of it becoming a hit is still very high.

However, if we say that this sequel to the Legend of Sword and Fairy series was directed by Xu Kong himself, and that the cast is still the same as the original cast from the first series.

In particular, with Xu Kong, Song Youyou, and Shang Yuxin all participating, the commercial value of the entire production and its future performance forecast will be completely different.

There's really no way to refute what Qin Xian said.

If they relinquish the rights to "Chinese Paladin 2," the subsequent series will most likely air in the fourth quarter of the year. Kiwi will then have no choice but to avoid direct competition and sacrifice a quarterly performance and market share.

……

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."

"After all, Feng Ge doesn't seem to be planning to discuss copyright issues right now, which is quite fair."

"It also gives us a little more time to prepare."

Qin Xian struck while the iron was hot and finalized the whole matter.

For some other Kiwi executives at the meeting at this time...

We also know that the situation has reached this point and there's no way to change it.

Although many of them disliked Qin Xian.

However, as Qin Dong's younger brother, Qin Xian also has quite a few supporters among the senior management.

With some centrists persuaded by Qin Xian's arguments, the situation clearly didn't change in the short term.

"Mr. Tu, are we really not going to fight for the rights to the second installment of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series at all?"

"Why don't we give it a try? Maybe we can get it?"

Tudou Video is the weakest of the three major video platforms.

At this moment, Tu Qiao'er almost immediately expressed her attitude.

That is the game "Chinese Paladin 2" that has caused a stir on many platforms. They chose to give up directly and did not intend to compete with other platforms.

Many people don't quite understand why Tu Qiao'er was so decisive.

While it's true that Tudou Video's overall platform strength is unlikely to surpass that of the other two, it's still quite possible.

But it's not like there's absolutely no chance.

It's really a pity that they gave up so decisively.

……

"No, no, no, this is actually a great opportunity for us."

Tu Qiao'er did not feel upset; on the contrary, she seemed quite nonchalant about giving up the broadcasting rights for Legend of Sword and Fairy 2.

"Right now, almost all major platforms are focusing their attention on this Legend of Sword and Fairy 2."

"But no one noticed that Feng Ge's other drama called 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' had already completed post-production."

"If all goes well, it could even air during the summer."

Tu Qiao'er's goal was clear: since the chances of acquiring the copyright for Legend of Sword and Fairy 2 were slim, she might as well focus all of Tudou Video's efforts on Feng Ge's Ghost Blows Out the Light.

He had already inquired and learned that this Ghost Blows Out the Light series was supposedly a TV series.

They are all series with at least five parts.

If they can acquire it, it might be an opportunity for Tudou Video to catch up with the other two major platforms in terms of user numbers and daily active users.

Most importantly, she learned that the investment in this "Ghost Blows Out the Light" series was quite substantial.

It's a drama that combines elements of suspense, adventure, and fantasy.

Given their plans to film an entire series, it goes without saying that Feng Ge and Xu Kong's ambitions are obvious.

If it becomes a hit, the sheer number of viewers and users that would result from acquiring the rights to the entire series is something Tu Qiao'er couldn't even imagine.

……

"But Mr. Tu, how do you know the other two platforms won't compete with us for the copyright to 'Ghost Blows Out the Light'?"

The department manager below voiced his confusion.

Tu Qiao'er answered as a matter of course:
"Therefore, we must get ahead of them."

"Currently, it's estimated that neither Tencent nor iQiyi knows much about this 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' series."

"We need to get the rights to the entire series before they do, at a price that Feng Ge can't refuse!"

Tu Qiao'er was full of confidence.

She believes that this has been true since she took over most of Tudou Video's business.

Although many attempts have been made and some results have been achieved.

However, the gap between it and the other two platforms is still too large.

To catch up successfully, one must take an unconventional approach and be different from others.

What Tudou Video needs most right now isn't dramas that can generate huge profits.

Even if the profit margin isn't that high, as long as the platform's traffic catches up with the other two, Tudou Video will naturally experience a period of rapid revenue growth.

……

"Director Xu, the post-production of the first part of 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' has been completed, and the second part is now in post-production."

Yan Rui reported to Xu Kong on the progress of some of the company's dramas.

It has to be said that the "Ghost Blows Out the Light" series has provided director Su Meng with a very suitable comfort zone.

Following the same collaboration method as with Xu Kong during "The Beginning," filming proceeded quickly and directly according to the storyboard and script.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the special effects team that the company had assembled at its own expense immediately began producing post-production special effects.

Including editing, Xu Kong was able to keep an eye on the post-production work from time to time.

As for Su Meng, she only needs to rest for a while before she can continue filming the next installment of "Ghost Blows Out the Light".

Overall, the efficiency is indeed quite fast.

Originally, according to Xu Kong's plan, there was no real rush; they could just film and broadcast it slowly.

After all, the entire Ghost Blows Out the Light series has so many parts, it can't be filmed and broadcast in just one or two years.

But now it seems that they can maintain a stable frequency of two shows a year.

Later in the summer, after "Infernal Affairs" finishes its theatrical run, the first installment of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" will be able to be officially broadcast.

After the first season finishes airing, around October, with a gap of one or two months, the second season can seamlessly continue airing.

This is undoubtedly a very good frequency.

……

"Has the partner been confirmed?"

Xu Kong asked.

He rarely cares anymore about which platform Feng Ge's new drama will collaborate with.

After all, there's no shortage of copyrights to sell, and Yan Rui is incredibly shrewd these days, knowing exactly how to ensure Feng Ge gets the maximum benefit from the collaboration with the platform.

"Currently, the broadcast approval has been approved, and the priority partner is still Mango TV, as they are quite interested in this drama."

"Regarding copyright fees, we also discussed a reasonable range."

"It should be finalized soon."

Yan Rui answered.

Then he continued:

"However, Tudou Video is very proactive on the online platform side."

“They have contacted us many times before we have even released any related information.”

“Even General Manager Tu has come in person several times.”

Xu Kong was somewhat surprised.

He didn't expect Tudou Video to be so proactive.

"Moreover, the profit-sharing terms they offered were all 30/70."

"It can be said that they are very sincere."

"It just means that we need to sign an exclusive broadcasting rights agreement for the entire 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' series."

……

Xu Kong didn't hesitate much before speaking directly:
"Then let's cooperate with Tudou Video."

"Even if we're in contact with two other companies, the terms will probably be similar."

"Moreover, if Tudou Video can catch up with Tencent Video and iQiyi with this show, it will be a good thing for us."

Yan Rui nodded: "I understand."

For film and television companies like Fengge, it is certainly not desirable for any one of these film and television platforms or local television stations to become dominant.

On the contrary, the increasingly fierce competition among these platforms is a good thing for Feng Ge.

If Tudou Video truly catches up with the other two, it will achieve a true three-way competition.

Then all of Feng Ge's subsequent dramas can be put up for sale, and they just need to wait to choose the three companies that can offer the best terms.

...(End of chapter)