Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 175 Concert Broadcast

Changsha, Hunan, Huangtuling, TV station staff quarters.

"You'll never understand my tenderness..."

The television was playing a melodious song, but Ouyang Changlin's mind was elsewhere. He was slumped on the sofa, his face reeking of alcohol, frowning as he pondered work matters.

In July 1992, he had just been transferred to the position of general manager of the film and television production company under the television station, and in the past six months, he had managed to sort out his work.

By next year, we'll have to achieve something.

Should we invite Chiung Yao back to her hometown, or should we simply go and visit Taiwan ourselves?

Just then, his wife came out carrying a bowl of millet porridge. Hearing the song on TV, she asked in surprise, "The song isn't finished yet? Huh, why has the singer changed? Wasn't it Wang Luyao singing just now? Why is it Tian Zhen now?"

"I don't know, I didn't notice either."

Ouyang Changlin sat up straight, took the steaming millet porridge from his wife's hand, and absentmindedly stirred the spoon.

"Ouyang."

His wife sat down next to him, picked up a half-knitted sweater, and said while picking out stitches, "Why doesn't your station hold a New Year's Eve concert? It's not appropriate to keep broadcasting Tianjin TV's stuff, is it?"

"What's so great about a concert?"

Ouyang Changlin shook his head and said, "This thing is just a losing proposition, and in the end, it's the singers and those who lead the commercial performances who get rich—but we can learn from the model of 'I'm Crazy for Singing'."

However, the competition for the top 32 is too short. It would be best to start recording and broadcasting from the preliminary rounds so that we can collect enough advertising revenue..."

As he spoke, Ouyang Changlin fell into deep thought again. The preliminary round of "I Am a Singer" was just a compilation, presented in the form of behind-the-scenes footage and trailers.

But the vibrant scene of all things thriving left a deep impression on Ouyang Changlin.

If the bizarre and varied events from the preliminary rounds were presented in a more complete form on television, would it also achieve good viewership ratings?
Ouyang Changlin was eager to try, but when he thought about the funding allocated by the station, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

Hey ~
It seems more reliable to start by bringing in funding from Taiwan and co-producing a few Qiong Yao dramas.

Just then, a sudden, high-pitched sound from the television caught his attention:
"...Let's give a warm round of applause to invite Director Ma to the stage to speak!"

Ouyang Changlin looked up in surprise. Why would the head of a TV station go to a pop song New Year's Eve concert? Wasn't he afraid of losing face?

However, he soon understood why.

After Ma Yuan took the stage, he announced three things in a straightforward manner.

The first thing is to strive to become the first local TV station in China with satellite broadcasting capabilities, with the help of higher-level leaders and the advantage of the TV station's own industrial capital, so that the voice of Tianjin can be heard throughout China.

The second thing is to cooperate with the municipal government to actively promote the establishment of the first film and television base and theme park in China in Tianjin, which will enrich the entertainment life of Tianjin residents and provide better supporting services for investors.

These two "firsts" drew thunderous applause from the audience and made Ouyang Changlin quite envious.

At the same time, he had great doubts. It would be understandable if it was funding from higher-level leaders, but what they said was "relying on the TV station's own industrial capital advantages" to develop satellite broadcasting...

He wasn't surprised at all that Tianjin TV was richer than Hunan TV.

After all, it's the Beijing-Tianjin-Shanghai area.

But surely they don't have that much money?

At this point, Ma Yuan announced a third thing: in accordance with the instructions of higher-level leaders and guided by the principle of "one country, one system," Tianjin TV decided to join forces with Yuanmeng Records to tailor-make a song request program for TV stations at the city and county levels across the country.

They also provide a large number of music videos and a complete set of promotional strategies free of charge...

ok~
They even stole CCTV's job!

No, CCTV doesn't care about the lives of its subordinates. The ideological level of this wave is far above CCTV's!

Hearing this, his wife asked curiously, "Ouyang, what is this music video?"

"It's about pairing the song with a relevant visual, and then adding subtitles below it."

"Isn't that similar to TV shows and movies?"

His wife, only half-understanding, exclaimed, "This must have cost a lot of money! Jinmentai is really rich and powerful!"

"It will definitely cost a lot of money..."

Ouyang Changlin stared at the television screen, his brows furrowed. He vaguely sensed something amiss with the third item, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. After a moment's hesitation, he got up, walked to the corner, picked up the receiver, and dialed the station manager's number.

"Director, you...you were watching the New Year's Eve concert in Tianjin? Director Ma's speech in Tianjin...yes, I also found it incredible—how about this, I'll take two people over to investigate and learn from their advanced experience, okay, okay."

After hanging up the phone, Mrs. Ou said with some reluctance, "It's almost the end of the year, why do you still have to go on a business trip?"

The Spring Festival in 93 was closer to the Gregorian calendar year than in previous years, by only 23 days.

"I'll be back in two weeks at most."

Ouyang Changlin said earnestly, "Tianjin TV has changed so much in the past year or so. It has been at the forefront of the country in many things. Even without today's events, just for 'Tianjin TV' and 'I'm Crazy for Singing,' it would have been worth my personal trip."

He was a decisive person, and the next day when he arrived at work, he submitted an application report. Because he had obtained the station director's approval in advance, the station made an exception and granted the application.

By the early morning of January 5th, Ouyang Changlin, along with two colleagues, boarded a train bound for Beijing—there are currently no direct trains, so they can only transfer in Beijing.

After a journey of nearly twenty hours, Ouyang Changlin and his group finally arrived in Tianjin that evening.

Because arrangements had been made in advance in Beijing, Tianjin TV station specially sent a van to pick them up, led by Wei Liben, the office director.

The reception was exceptionally warm.

However, Ouyang Changlin always felt that the other party's gaze was a little strange.

Because it was getting late, the group was first taken to the TV station's guesthouse. Then Wei Liben went to the restaurant to make arrangements for Ouyang Changlin and the others to have a special meal – these days, government chefs are not easy to manage.

At this moment, several people came up to Ouyang Changlin and offered him cigarettes: "Hey buddy, which city are you from?"

"Which city? What city?"

"So you're from the county? No wonder your Mandarin accent is so strong."

Ouyang Changlin didn't react at first, but after exchanging a few words with them, he realized: "You're all from Hebei city and county TV stations?"

These people were clearly attracted by the song request program and free music videos promoted by Tianjin TV.

No wonder Director Wei's attitude was a bit strange. He was probably wondering why a provincial television station would get involved in an event that was clearly aimed at the county and city level.

"There are also those from Shanxi, Henan, and Shandong."

The man who offered the cigarette laughed and said, "Being near the water tower means you get the moon first, right? The biggest worry for our local station is that we don't have any income. All the advertising fees are pocketed by those bastards from the provincial and Beijing stations. Now that Tianjin is promising to teach us how to make money for free, everyone has to fly over here as soon as possible!"

"Uh~"

Ouyang Changlin was speechless. How did he get scolded for no reason? He couldn't argue with it, so he could only take the opportunity to ask, "Have you already got the music video?"

"We got it. We can collect it with a letter of introduction from our company and the office phone number. However, we still need to undergo two more days of training afterward. I heard that General Manager Zhang will personally give us the training."

"Mr. Zhang?"

"You don't know Mr. Zhang who made your dream come true? He's a very capable person from Hebei. He's very successful in Tianjin at a young age—he's behind 'Tianjin Wei,' 'I'm Crazy for Singing,' and the 'New Year's Eve Concert.'"

"And Bright Dairy instant noodles, the one-stop service center, are also Zhang's creations..."

"Last year's Spring Festival Gala included the skit 'Idea Company'..."

"Ten Outstanding Young Persons..."

"Next year's representative..."

These people actually only crammed on their knowledge of Zhang Yan after arriving in Tianjin, but that didn't stop them from talking eloquently in front of the newcomers.

When Ouyang Changlin heard these people mention "Tianjin Wei", he already knew who "General Manager Zhang" was.

However, he had previously thought that Zhang Yan was just using the TV series to advertise instant noodles, but he never expected that even the idea for the meat sauce packet came from Zhang Yan.

After learning about the relationship between Guangming Factory and Tianjin TV, he finally understood why Tianjin TV had the confidence to develop its own satellite.

After learning about Yuanmeng Records under Zhang Yan's name, Ouyang Changlin was even more impressed. This was not giving away free benefits at all; it was clearly taking the opportunity to seize territory and become king of the mountain!
Yet they still managed to claim that the whole country was acting as one – truly a prime example of trying to have one's cake and eat it too!
However, local TV stations simply don't have the capital to compete with Yuanmeng in terms of business, so this is still considered mutually beneficial, and no one can find fault with it on the surface.

It's estimated that the singers who have fulfilled their dreams will dominate the TV screens at the city and county levels across the country for a long time. With this popularity and national recognition, they can make money all over the country in the future.

This is truly a marketing genius!

Ouyang Changlin originally wanted to consult with the leaders of Tianjin TV in person, but now he has changed his mind. This inspection should start with General Manager Zhang's lecture!
(End of this chapter)