Huayu: I Have a Doraemon

Chapter 110 Chain Reaction

In March, the temperature difference in Beijing is ridiculously large.

If you stand in the sun for a long time during the day, just wear a sweater over your shirt.

But as soon as the sun sets, the temperature will suddenly drop to a few degrees, or even below zero.

With the current significant temperature differences, those who want to be stylish can wear a shirt with a sweater, and then add a windproof jacket on top – a versatile and practical approach.

Those who aren't particular will wear a down jacket over a T-shirt, zip it up, and look like nobody cares.

Gao Yilun belongs to the former category.

He was wearing a dark gray windproof jacket, with the collar of a light blue shirt peeking out, and a dark red sweater over it.

I pushed open the glass door of the TV station and entered the lobby.

Gao Yilun walked straight towards the elevator, went up to the floor where the editor-in-chief's office was located, and entered the director's office.

On the desk, a stack of documents awaiting approval was piled high.

Gao Yilun sighed.

Local TV stations want more independence, but the higher authorities want to tighten control.

To facilitate management and reduce internal friction, the broadcasting authorities have begun discussing the merger of the two stations, namely the television station and the cable television station.

The idea is to integrate resources, reduce competition, and enhance cohesion, but behind this lies the issue of how many people's positions, ranks, and livelihoods are at stake. Just thinking about it makes one's scalp tingle.

"These are turbulent times..."

'

Gao Yilun rubbed his temples and pulled out a chair to sit down.

He reached for the top document, but before his fingertips even touched the paper, there was a loud, urgent knock on the door.

"Enter."

The editorial supervisor pushed open the door and walked in, looking flustered, holding a document.

Gao Yilun's heart skipped a beat, but he kept a straight face and asked, "Has something happened at the radio station?"

After saying that, he sighed inwardly, thinking that the station director was really cunning and shrewd, actually using the excuse of a meeting to sneak out and leave him alone at the station.

The supervisor shook his head: "Not over there."

Gao Yilun immediately breathed a sigh of relief, took out a teacup from his bag, and was about to get up to get some tea when he heard the head of the household say, "It's from Shanghai. They've withdrawn the broadcasting rights for 'iPartment'."

Gao Yilun paused, then his eyes widened in astonishment. "Has Pang Jingming gone mad?" he exclaimed.

Shanghai Electric Power Company (SEP) is currently undergoing reforms and needs to show results. What benefit would they gain from blocking broadcasting rights at this time? Aren't millions in licensing fees money?

Or does that guy surnamed Pang think he can turn his life around with just one sitcom?

When questioned, the supervisor did not answer directly, but silently handed over the documents in his hand.

What's going on? Gao Yilun took the document suspiciously and opened it.

His pupils contracted sharply after just one glance.

Below is the CSM ratings data table.

The national viewership rating of "iPartment" which was originally around 11% suddenly soared to 18%.

It not only far surpassed Hai Yan's drama "Never Close Your Eyes," but even "Spring Bright Pigsy" was defeated by it.

18%!

Even at its peak, "Yongzheng Dynasty" only had this many episodes!

That was a big-budget production with an investment of over ten million yuan, three years of preparation, and broadcast on CCTV-1's prime time slot!

Damn Pang Jingming... Gao Yilun instantly realized that that scoundrel was planning to raise the price on the spot.

You beast!

Gao Yilun's face darkened.

But besides anger, he felt a sense of absurdity that was hard to explain.

"Didn't 'iPartment' just start filming?"

He looked up, his brow furrowed, and said, "The batch that aired before was stock; the new ones haven't even been filmed yet. How can a show that's already aired possibly double its ratings?"

This is completely contrary to common sense.

TV series are always most popular when they premiere, and it's already a miracle if they can maintain the same ratings during reruns. I've never heard of a show getting a huge increase in ratings after it has finished airing.

The supervisor stood in front of his desk, his expression somewhat complicated.

He mumbled, "It seems... their film crew participated in a hosting program."

, 7

Gao Yilun gave him a cold look: "Unless the program they participated in is called 'News Broadcast,' how could it possibly have this effect?"

The supervisor thought to himself that the program's popularity was now comparable to, or even greater than, that of "Xinwen Lianbo" (the evening news program on CCTV).

Gao Yilun had already composed himself and said calmly, "Since they're unwilling to sell, so be it. One more drama won't make a difference, and one less drama won't make a difference either."

There are quite a few popular TV dramas that are either waiting to be broadcast or currently airing. Among the most recent ones are Zhao Baogang's "Like Fog, Like Rain, Like Wind", Zhang Jizhong's "Swordsman", and Guo Baochang's "The Grand Mansion Gate".

Including the currently filming "Romance in the Rain," and the upcoming "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "Kangxi Dynasty," there are actually many choices on the market.

Gao Yilun told the main channel: "Go ask Zhang Jizhong how much longer the post-production of 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' will take. If possible, move up the release date."

The executives agreed.

"That's way too much..."

""

A small conference room at Shanghai Television Station.

Lin An looked at the stack of invitations in front of him, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

"A Date with Luyu", "Super Interview", "Art Life", "Entertainment Live", "China Entertainment Report"... The names are all more impressive than the last, and the programs are all more prestigious than the last.

Sitting across from him, Pang Jingming held a teacup, his tone full of schadenfreude: "You're a big star now, with fans all over the country. To boost ratings, they'll naturally extend invitations to you."

Lin An glared at him, speechless, and said, "You know I'm filming, so why didn't you help me refuse?"

Pang Jingming glared back defiantly and said in a strong voice, "Get this straight, we're a TV station, not your agency. We have no obligation to handle these things for you. You called me and asked me to collect the money on your behalf, and I didn't refuse; that's already giving you face."

After saying that, he couldn't help but complain, "Don't keep leaving our TV station's address to everyone you meet. I've been receiving a bunch of random stuff these past few days, even from Shanghai Animation Film Studio."

Shanghai Animation Film Studio? The Kung Fu Panda project is moving forward again? Lin Anxin's heart stirred, and he asked, "What did they send over?"

"How would I know? The item was sent to you, not to me."

Pang Jingming said this, but his tone carried a hint of curiosity: "Judging from your appearance, you seem to have a good relationship with Shanghai Animation Film Studio. What, do you also study animation?"

Lin An smiled but did not give a direct response.

Pang Jingming did not press the matter further.

He pulled out a folder from the stack of invitations, unfolded it, and pushed it in front of Lin An.

"According to our previous contract, for every 0.5% increase in the average local viewership rating of a single episode, we will give a bonus of 4000 yuan."

He tapped his finger on the contract: "This is the amount for the last two episodes. Please check it."

Lin An glanced at the figure on the contract, which was a staggering 38. He was both astonished and puzzled: "Why not give it to me all at once after filming is complete?"

Pang Jingming leaned back in his chair, a kind smile spreading across his face: "We're used to settling accounts monthly."

Lin An just watched him quietly, without saying a word, his gaze calm, like a pool of stagnant water.

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Pang Jingming felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, coughed, and chuckled awkwardly, "Based on the current filming schedule, we should wrap up by the end of March. What are your next plans?"

Lin An understood what he meant and shook his head, saying, "I don't plan to film any more sitcoms in the near future."

The main reason is that I don't want to act anymore; it's tiring and embarrassing.

Pang Jingming's brows immediately furrowed.

"Series films are not suitable for a long hiatus."

He cautioned, "Audience enthusiasm has a limited lifespan. If you release a sequel a year or two later, it will be too late."

"I've never heard of good wine needing no bush..." Lin An thought to himself, then said, "As long as the price is right, I'll give it priority for the second season."

Pang Jingming stared at him for two seconds.

These words sound like a promise, but upon closer inspection, they actually mean nothing.

But having this attitude is enough.

In the television industry, the worst thing isn't competitors raising prices, but rather not even having the opportunity to negotiate.

"Alright," Pang Jingming nodded, not pressing him any further, "I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration in the future."

Lin An agreed.

He signed the bonus contract, confirmed the submission date for the final episode with Pang Jingming, and then got up to say goodbye.

As Lin An left the meeting room, he took out his phone, opened his contacts, found Ji Tao's name, and began composing a message:

[We can go back to Beijing and continue purchasing factory buildings.]