"How is this done?" Nancy. Tren half-jokingly slammed the ratings report in his hand onto the conference table, "Seriously, Virgilia, how did your son and daughter-in-law do that?" - Isn't it enough for Jennifer to create miracles on her own? Cesare? I really didn't know he had a talent for this. ”

Around her, executives from NBC and FOX, and even niche TV stations such as HBO and FLIX laughed heartily, and the senior thinkers, media experts and other professional and technical personnel brought by them also made fun of Virgilia. Vijri, "yes, Virgilia, are you sure you're still coming to today's briefing?" Seriously, we thought you had picked the best items for a weekend dinner. ”

"Give us the inside scoop, did Cesare become interested in TV production for a long time? Was this result expected by him? Or what? God, everyone is envious of Jennifer. When Jefferson was around, I was the only one who envied Cesare, what else was this kid missing? Oh my God, think about it, awesome wife, super rich inheritance, and what, height? Looks? At the age of 35, he produced a divine drama with 4 ratings? His big house in Malibu? This kid has almost everything! ”

"He's missing a blockbuster movie right now -- and an IPO, of course."

In the midst of the laughter of the people, Virginia. Vijri spread his hands and showed a calm and somewhat smug smile, "Well, Cesare has always been a very independent child, so guys, in business, don't think that I can have any advantage over you today, in fact, maybe nepotism can only bring me a disadvantage, you know, in order to avoid suspicion or something, maybe I am the loser today." ”

Although there was obviously a polite element in her words, Nancy and the others were faintly relieved after smiling: Today's introduction meeting is actually an auction of big dreams, if the ABC TV station represented by Virgilia relies on connections to occupy the first-mover advantage, NBC and CBS may not have much advantage in the competition, and they can only run for nothing.

But, seriously, "now that Virgilia is not guaranteed, Nancy no longer gets stuck in this sensitive topic, and instead pokes Fox TV executive Mike with a teasing pen. Hopkins, "Before 'Hip Hop Empire' came out, you really didn't expect it to perform so well, right? To be honest, M, didn't you think about it at all? Otherwise, you should have used "American Idol" as a preamble. ”

"Starting next week, it will be moved to after 'American Idol.'" Hopkins didn't deny Nancy's quip, he looked around the décor of the conference room and praised the owner of the office, "Indeed, Fox was lucky, we didn't expect this TV series to have such a result - if we don't move over next week, it may cause a very funny phenomenon, that is, "Hip Hop Empire" has higher ratings than "American Idol", and the so-called lead will be driven by subsequent episodes......"

“boo！” The executives present immediately jokingly booed, and some even shouted, "Then let "American Idol" give up the schedule, and the series is the precursor to the reality show!" - Haha, it's so much fun, the episode is a reality show prelude! ”

Although dramas are the key projects of major TV stations, the really high ratings are often reality shows, news programs or talk shows, especially ace reality shows like "American Idol", which has always been the lead for other dramas and guides the viewers, if it is really reversed, it is also a great spectacle. Hopkins just grinned triumphantly at the boo, but didn't answer, while Nancy unceremoniously gave him a middle finger - they were both members of the TV Drama Guild and knew each other very well. "Wait and see, if you can win a TV series today, then we won't have to mess around in this industry."

“yep。”

"Well said, Nancy, you can't give it to Fawkes."

"Let Fawkes eat. go. ”

The jokes suddenly reconciled, and Hopkins couldn't pretend anymore, as if he had just been hit by an arrow, he covered his ass and shouted, "! Can't you just be gentle! Just let me enjoy it a little more - before your follow-up series comes out and the ratings of "Hip Hop Empire" fall back, can't we enjoy it more? ”

The conference room was suddenly filled with laughter, Nancy, Virgilia and others were laughing while avoiding each other's eyes - general genre dramas, of course, all major stations are prepared, although they have their own strengths, but how to achieve all-round development, so the development of this aspect can not talk about following each other, but for a phenomenal drama like "Hip Hop Empire", it would be stupid not to follow the trend, and this is also a following advantage in a completely competitive market, for competitive TV stations such as NBC, The cost of developing a TV series of the same type is much smaller.

You know, now "Hip Hop Empire" has far exceeded the popularity of ordinary TV series, no one dares to say how far the ratings will soar next, and once the song it pushes in the play is launched, the number of downloads on the single version S is not inferior to the hit single, Billbroad is also on the list, completely from the TV series to reality, which also greatly enhances its attraction to many music celebrities - this has attracted a lot of big names willing to make cameos in the series, The Jay-Z gang, who originally planned to make guest appearances in person, are now temporarily out of the ranks, and the cameos of the major black music giants have already filled the list for each episode, and even the ruffian Eminem is interested in appearing in the series.

And many singers in addition to cameos, but also feel that it is not a bad idea to create a similar series, even if you can't get Jay-Z's conditions, it doesn't matter, just share the copyright of a few songs, the key is the exposure brought by the TV series, which can quickly make newcomers popular, such as Tiana in the TV series, she is a newly signed female singer of Imperial Entertainment in the play, and in reality she is a newcomer to be praised by Jay-Z's label, although there are not many scenes, but now the future is not known how bright it is, A few appearances in the series made her win a super high search degree, and the new single she sang and danced in the play also entered the top ten of S, and her acting skills were even more praised. Smith and Justin. Timberlake's road of singing and double cultivation, compared to it, the copyright of a few songs is really nothing, Nancy herself is negotiating with Pitbull about this matter, and there are many big-name singers whose careers have fallen into a low ebb, and the prices offered are incredibly cheap, they are not short of money, but they lack a chance to regain the public's attention, so as to turn over.

According to Nancy's estimate, there will be 3 TV series of the same type in the next season, and at that time, the ratings of "Hip Hop Empire" will definitely have to be divided, and no matter how legendary the ratings of TV series are, it will not be possible to keep rising, and finally reach 100%, "Hip Hop Empire" is only still in the upward curve, and it will definitely fluctuate and fall in the end, until it bears the impact of competitors in the next season, its long-term ratings will really stabilize and enter a regular state of competition. That's why Hopkins will say, let him indulge in the current scenery for a while - making a TV series is different from making a movie, a movie is over, and the brilliant achievements will not fade, but TV series are not, in terms of the operating mechanism of American dramas, no matter how beautiful the show is, there will be a day when it fades and goes down, so TV executives generally have a big heart, and they are not taboo at all to pour cold water on him, after all, whether it is Hopkins or Nancy, they have seen too many scenery TV series die, They have personally axed more former ratings champions than anyone else.

"However, to be honest, even if you follow the trend, it is really not easy to find the right combination similar to "Hip Hop Empire"." NBC's Stewart. Gudfarb shook his head, "That's what I admire the most -- maybe I should say admire -- I admire Cesare the most, if you've done research on Hip Hop Empire, you'll see that it really brings together all the points that attract the most viewers, no more, no less, and so beautifully combined, it's really hard to find another more concise combination to fight it with, and in terms of ratings, you always have to give up a point." ”

"In fact, the quality of this TV series can only be said to be in the middle and upper reaches." Nancy didn't mean to hide it, she knew that most executives would come to a similar conclusion to her, "If you were to ask me what it inspired us, all I could say was that the show revealed the ratings hunger of the black audience -- that's why it got this rating, wealthy blacks, it's a very important viewership mining point, at least that's what I think." ”

"So, what do we do next? NBA giants' grudges? Hopkins' question caused a burst of laughter, and many people shook their heads, "Yes, everyone realizes that this is a point, but now that rap music has been taken over, you will find that it is really hard to dig into - not every subject is easy to shoot." ”

In this office composed of almost all white people, the Big Five - or the Big Four are like the six major film companies in the film industry, they are the absolute protagonists, Nancy, Hopkins, Goodfarb, Virgilia The talk and laughter of several people can hardly tolerate outsiders to interject, in recent years, it has become increasingly marginalized, the audience is younger, and the number of viewers is becoming more and more scarce. Podovetz didn't have much interest in talking and laughing: Today's introduction will almost just be the stage of the four major stations, CW wants to grab the upcoming series of Big Dream TV, it is almost a fool's dream, their production budget is not high, the ratings base is also weak, and they can't compare with the Internet upstarts with money, and the conditions are not as good as the four major stations, and it's almost just a fun time to come over today, even if you hear the judgments of Nancy and other authorities, it's not much use - the weakness of the TV station is not something that one or two dramas can reverse at all, The TV series suitable for the four major stations may not be able to last even one season in CW.

Just when the conversation in the conference room was in full swing, with a series of gentle footsteps, the door of the conference room was pushed open again. Vijery and his wife Jennifer. Jefferson walked into the conference room smiling side by side, accompanied by several staff members who dreamed big. There was a moment of silence in the room - these youngest executives, who were over 45 years old, actually felt intimidated in front of the young man, not only because of their beautiful faces, but also because of the aura of multiple works accumulated by their side - once, the absolute protagonist was Jennifer. Jefferson, but now in this room, people are paying more attention to Cesare. Vijai, as if it was the first time they met him, many people carefully pondered his expression, clothes, and thought about his character: Of course, he has always been a very amiable young man, quite likable, but seriously, he must also have his own likes and dislikes, how can I win his favor and get the TV series that Big Dream is about to produce......

"I'm very happy to see so many people attending today's presentation." Surprisingly, the first speech – which is often the usual deputy, to bring out the principal responsible person – was none other than Jennifer. Jefferson, she explained with a smile on her face. "I'm sure we're all here for one thing, and that's the awesome results of Hip Hop Empire, made by Chesa – let's start with a round of applause and cheers."

Although this is a bit unruly, and few people will cheer for the results of their competitors, but for the sake of Jennifer's sweet smile, people still gave the venue a warm applause and whistle, of course, with Fox's Hopkins being the hardest. - It was evident that this was Jennifer's own initiative, for Cesare glared at her with some annoyance after accepting everyone's kindness, while Jennifer responded with a winkling and a few chuckles, which caused the participants to laugh.

"And then, I have to say that today's presentation is a bit special -- after 'Hip Hop Empire', Big Dream's TV division has proven itself, and we plan to expand production and launch five new dramas this year, all of which will land in the fall -- " Jennifer said with a smile, "In this case, there is not much time left for us, and seven months is not a long lead time for the production company, so Big Dream has no intention of having a bidding war for every project, because we all know, Such wars tend to be protracted, and, let's be arrogant, after Hip Hop Empire, the TV must have been interested in our project—"

The benefits of being hosted by a well-known beauty are revealed, although Jennifer is completely boasting, no one will refute her words, and even many people nod their heads in approval: even if Cesare only has one masterpiece by his side, but with Jennifer, a miracle maker, on his side, people's confidence in him has just increased, and Jennifer's appearance is like a reminder to everyone - she has been working miracles, and the husband she chose is not an idle person, and miracles should not be a rare product for himAfter all, he's the man standing next to the miracle girl.

"So, in order to save everyone's time, and to prevent the price from climbing to a high point that even TV stations find unprofitable, we decided to go with a bid-style bid." Jennifer said with a smile, "The schedule, the lead, the price of a single episode, and the number of renewed episodes are all converted into a score, and we also score the strength of the station itself, and when these scores are added, the station with the highest total score will have a contract for the new series." Of course, we have already written the script for the first episode and registered the copyright, so as soon as the contract is signed, we can immediately set up the crew and start preparing for filming. ”

She directly skipped the part of the pilot episode, completely disrupting the general American drama development process - usually, American dramas are developed by the producer to develop the outline and the script of the first episode, and the TV station bids to buy the priority viewing rights of the pilot episode, this part of the cost is quite cheap, the general price is hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the really expensive contract will not start to negotiate until the pilot episode passes through the TV station, and the contract for the first season is usually not expensive, at this time the TV station completely grasps the initiative, and even when it is broadcast for the first time, It may just be a few episodes or half a season, like this, the initiative is completely in their own hands, and the production company chooses the rules of the TV station, if it is not announced by Jennifer, it may even attract ridicule and anger from the executives on the spot: There is not even a pilot episode, what are we? Is it wronged?

However, with "Hip Hop Empire" by her side, no one has objected to Big Dream's apparently arrogant approach - Nancy swept around, not even seeing dissatisfaction on anyone's face, which also made her sigh regretfully: if someone dropped out of the competition because of this, she would have a better chance of winning the bid.

As for herself, of course, she has no opinion on what Big Dream does, yes, Big Dream is arrogant, but so what? People have this confidence and arrogance, as long as anyone makes "Hip Hop Empire", even if it is ten times more arrogant than now, there will be countless people who laugh and go up to slap horses, and Nancy will also be one of them - don't look at her ruthless cuts, but when the series is popular, she doesn't suffer less from the producer's birdishness. Especially now that the competition is becoming increasingly fierce and production and broadcasting are gradually separated, it is not unprecedented, and it is not unprecedented, are you still afraid of cutting red dramas? If you don't renew, it's a big deal that I'll sell something else.

――So, compared to the ratings of "Hip Hop Empire", the entry conditions of Big Dream are not harsh at all. And Nancy is full of good feelings about Jennifer's explanation: the open competition of quotations and schedules will indeed push the pressure of TV stations to the highest, especially now that "Hip Hop Empire" has been abandoned by various TV stations, and then exploded, everyone is working hard to win the series, and in the end, it is very likely to win the new drama at a small profit or even a loss-making price, and in this way, if the ratings of the new drama are not explosive, even if the ratings are already very good, it is very likely to be a season cut, obviously, Big Dream TV does not want to make quick money, They still want to be a brand, so they are also avoiding direct competition in price, but proposing a model of hidden competition, which also makes her have a little more confidence and expectation for the new dramas in these concepts.

"If there is no objection, please sign the bidding contract." Jennifer quickly finished the introduction of some details, and said with a smile, "Pay attention to the penalty for breach of contract - of course, the result of default is to be blacklisted by Big Dream, and there will never be any possibility of business cooperation in the future, so please be cautious when bidding." ”

"Do you have any ideas for these new shows, Jennifer?" Someone asked coldly.

"Nope." Jennifer didn't hesitate, she shook her head and said, "My energy is mainly on movies at the moment, and I often lose touch with the outside world when I shoot movies, so I'm not suitable to be a producer of dramas. Several new dramas are currently the same as "Hip Hop Empire", created and followed up by Cesare. ”

"Okay, we get it." There was a buzz of discussion, but the speed at which people signed the tender contract was not slow - it was just a bid, and no one would give up their qualifications.

Once the contracts had been collected, Jennifer sat down and really assumed the posture of a student, while Cesare stood up and took over the meeting.

"The success of 'Hip Hop Empire' is really unexpected, and I can assure you that even I didn't know that the African-American community would be so crazy about colored dramas until I got its ratings report," he always had that flattering smile on his face, "and this also shows us the hunger of the market, and I think the development of a new black lead TV series is already imminent -- especially the relatively wealthy black leads, which can resonate more with the audience. What I'm going to introduce to you is the middle-class, or affluent-class, black family comedy that Big Dream is going to do, which focuses on the cultural clash of wealthy black elites entering the wasp class, and the ongoing ...... of self-identity and racial culture."

“*。” Scolding in her heart, Nancy glanced at Virgilia with some jealousy—she had listened to Cesare's explanations so engrossed in them that it was hard to be sure if she had gotten the news before, maybe not, maybe she was—she had at least accurately said that she had hit the Big Dream's choice mode, in which ABC's chances were similar to those of CBS and NBC. "Anyway, she really gave birth to a good son - and as soon as you listen to his analysis, you know that "Hip Hop Empire" is indeed his own production...... This kid really has the goods in his stomach! ”

For her, it only takes Cesare's words to spread out the temperament, style, and even possible ratings of the entire series like a long scroll - this idea is of course he. Damn it's promising, and Nancy is already thinking about what the CBS should pay for taking it down......