Xie Qian believed that joint broadcasting by several TV stations was the best option, and Mrs. Wang happened to share the same view.
Currently, the domestic TV drama market operates under the “4+X” model, meaning a drama can be broadcast simultaneously on up to four satellite TV stations and several terrestrial channels. This was a regulation issued by the State Administration of Radio and Television in 2004.
The “4+X” model has both advantages and disadvantages for TV stations. Joint broadcasting, unlike exclusive broadcasting, allows multiple stations to share the cost of acquiring a drama, enabling smaller stations to afford high-quality productions. This is the advantage. The downside is the lack of unique competitiveness. When viewers can watch the same drama on other channels, most will not stick to a single channel without switching.
When a good drama is on offer, everyone wants exclusive broadcasting rights.
No matter how expensive the copyright fee, stations can grit their teeth and pay. Truly cash-strapped stations would not even receive an invitation from Mrs. Wang.
The problem is, Tianjiao had no intention of selling exclusive rights!
At least for *Galaxy and You*, joint broadcasting would yield greater profits for Tianjiao, according to Xie Qian.
Mrs. Wang’s thinking was more straightforward: Tianjiao had learned its lesson from its collaboration with Hunan Satellite TV. Partnering with just one platform allowed them to take full advantage, but people are greedy. They take one share and want two, benefiting while simultaneously trying to constrain Tianjiao. In that case, goodbye and good riddance!
Tianjiao did not have to rely solely on Hunan Satellite TV. Facts proved that as long as they could produce a good drama, there was no worry about selling broadcasting rights.
Sensing Mrs. Wang’s stance, Zhejiang Satellite TV quickly allied with two other stations. While Shanghai TV and Anhui First Channel were still vying for exclusive rights, the three stations had already banded together, committing to joint action.
The combined strength of three stations naturally surpassed that of one. Mrs. Wang found the representatives from Shanghai TV and Anhui First Channel rather naive. However, as a seasoned negotiator, her words often belied her true intentions. Recalling the “4+X” model she had hurriedly studied before coming to Hunan, she realised that to maximise Tianjiao’s profits, they needed to pull in one more station.
Her gaze shifted between the representatives of Shanghai TV and Anhui First Channel, weighing her options.
Shanghai TV was based in Shanghai.
Mrs. Wang recalled Wang Shuang mentioning that both Wen Ying and Xie Qian wanted to attend university in Shanghai, and Li Mengjiao and Wang Shuang would likely follow. A mother worries when her children travel far, so building connections in Shanghai would be beneficial for the children.
Thus, Mrs. Wang leaned towards Shanghai TV. Under her heavy hints, the Shanghai TV representative finally caught on, choosing at the critical moment to align with Zhejiang Satellite TV:
“Four stations. Our four satellite channels are willing to jointly broadcast *Galaxy and You*!”
When the Shanghai TV representative declared this, the battle for *Galaxy and You*’s broadcasting rights had a winner. Anhui First Channel, which had insisted on exclusive rights, was instantly out of the running. Upon hearing the result, the Anhui representative looked bewildered, evoking sympathy.
The Shanghai TV representative, meanwhile, felt a wave of relief.
Had they not reacted quickly and made the right choice at the critical moment, it would have been Shanghai TV left stunned!
…Eliminated just like that?
“Manager Dong, you haven’t even heard our station’s offer. We are sincerely committed!” the Anhui First Channel representative said, visibly aggrieved.
Mrs. Wang smiled warmly, consoling him, “Next drama, alright? We’ll prioritise your station for the next one.”
No way!
We want this one, we want *Galaxy and You*!
The Anhui representative was unsatisfied, but Mrs. Wang deftly placated him, “Tianjiao is a new company, still learning and exploring. You might have seen our first drama, *The Princess’s New Clothes*, broadcast on Hunan Satellite TV last year. Our second drama is *Galaxy and You*. Personally, I believe each of Tianjiao’s dramas is better than the last. Our team is constantly growing, and by the third drama, it will surely be even better.”
Why do some people excel at sweet-talking?
Because they’re charming and persuasive, not just paying lip service. The Anhui representative found Mrs. Wang’s words quite reasonable.
With a mix of coaxing and persuasion, Mrs. Wang personally escorted the Anhui representative out, solemnly exchanging contact details and repeatedly assuring him that the third drama would prioritise Anhui First Channel. Returning to face the representatives of the four remaining stations, Mrs. Wang brandished her metaphorical forty-metre-long blade:
“Alright, now let’s talk about the copyright fee. Tianjiao isn’t a company obsessed with money, but you’ve all seen the sample of *Galaxy and You*. We’ve invested heavily in production costs. We can’t be expected to take a loss, can we? If it comes to it, the Anhui representative hasn’t gone far. I could call him back to discuss!”
Tianjiao wasn’t fixated on money, but without money, nothing was possible.
The Zhejiang Satellite TV representative sighed inwardly.
This Manager Dong might be a novice in the entertainment industry, but when it came to business, she was masterful, tightening and loosening her grip, sending everyone’s emotions on a rollercoaster ride.
It seemed Anhui First Channel had lost, and the four stations had won.
But had they really won?
No!
The real winner was Tianjiao.
It was like a woman shopping, expressing too early her love for a dress or a pair of shoes, then asking for a discount… No chance! What could have been haggled down was now non-negotiable!
Sigh.
The Zhejiang representative forced a smile, “Of course, a good drama shouldn’t come cheap. If quality dramas don’t make money, what company would bother producing them? Let’s sit down and discuss the copyright fee. Manager Dong, please share Tianjiao’s expected price, and we’ll show our sincerity.”
With the leader setting the tone, the others followed suit, all agreeing the fee was negotiable. Mrs. Wang smiled, “You’ve probably noticed I usually handle the company’s external PR. The copyright fee has always been managed by General Manager Yuan. He trusts an outsider like me, so please don’t take advantage of me!”
PR people are sharper than monkeys. How could anyone trick her?
Sigh, just pay up honestly!
The drama was genuinely good, and that was what mattered most.
The Zhejiang representative reflected on the entire pitch meeting, suddenly doubting the so-called insider rumours, “Did *Galaxy and You* really face issues in post-production?”
From start to finish, it was Hu Man and the Hunan Satellite TV people spreading the talk. Mrs. Wang had never directly confirmed it!
Mrs. Wang gave a sly smile, “What do you think?”
…
Tianjiao sold the broadcasting rights for *Galaxy and You*!
Zhejiang Satellite TV, Shanghai TV, Shandong Satellite TV, and Henan Satellite TV, four provincial satellite channels, would jointly broadcast it, scheduled for July!
Though Liang Dan, Yu Tianlin, and others had mentally prepared for this after the pitch meeting, when the deal was confirmed, Yu Tianlin’s expression faltered, “Four stations broadcasting together…”
General Manager Guan chuckled, “The audience share of these four stations doesn’t match Hunan Satellite TV. I have more faith in your new drama, Tianlin!”
Even the ever-loyal Cao Bo thought General Manager Guan was being foolish.
One station might not match Hunan Satellite TV’s audience share, but four combined?!
