Chapter 198

The internet here never experienced the 90s dot-com bubble, developing slightly faster and forming a more rapid network that provided suitable soil for online streaming media.

Thus, after some advertising, users discovered that GalaxyTV+ membership fees were much cheaper than DVD rental memberships.

DVD rental memberships were generally over $15, even reaching $25, while the basic online membership cost only $8.99, and the premium version just $12.99!

And it could be watched anytime, anywhere, with zero network delay, allowing free scrubbing of the progress bar and playback across TV, computer, and multiple devices.

In addition to Sony Entertainment's copyright films, he negotiated revenue-sharing deals with giants like Paramount, Disney, Fox, Universal, Warner, as well as mid-sized companies such as Shi Sect and Xin Xian.

Over 80% of Hollywood's legitimate films were in the library, and the collection was steadily growing.

With abundant legitimate content and a convenient viewing experience, Xu Can had already gained nearly ten million users in less than a year.

Of course, this wasn't enough; Xu Can still needed a massive hit to expand his fame and fully seize the online platform's market.

Thus, TBBT was born—The Big Bang Theory officially launched!

After establishing the television department, Xu Can hired Ted Sarandos, who would later become Netflix's Chief Content Officer and CEO, to serve as the online platform's content director.

His first project was The Big Bang Theory.

At Xu Can's suggestion, a sitcom about four scientific researchers at Caltech was created, modeled after the internet celebrity YouTuber Xie Erdun.

And based on the script outline pre-drafted by Xu Can, a complete story was crafted.

By this point, Xu Can had largely stepped back and stopped managing it.

Now, the pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory had premiered simultaneously on GalaxyTV+ and CBS, a subsidiary of Columbia.

The premiere shattered records with a viewership rating of 4.6, exceeding 15 million viewers!

This was only the data from CBS's nighttime broadcast; on the day the streaming platform launched, views exceeded 50 million and grew rapidly!

In an era when sitcoms were gradually declining, The Big Bang Theory's arrival was utterly refreshing!

Its clever, non-repetitive jokes, heavy use of scientific explanations, and likable character designs made it a breath of fresh air in American television!

Especially since its core audience was college students, who also formed the main group of internet users.

The show exploded overnight on the internet; by the third day, online platform views had surpassed 100 million.

Such terrifying potential even startled Sony.

"If we'd known the online platform would be this powerful, we'd have done it ourselves."

Skinger, Chairman of Sony Entertainment North America, sighed bitterly.

Disney, Warner, and others had all recognized the potential of online streaming and were considering involvement.

But in the internet age, the larger the company, the harder it was to turn the aircraft carrier.

By the time their websites and apps appeared, Xu Can had already dominated the market.

Next to Xu Can, Taylor Swift had downloaded several episodes and laughed continuously on the plane.

He adopted the common tactic later used by Kiwi, Youku, and Penguin Video: paid members could unlock two episodes ahead.

And paid members faced no advertisements, no sneaky tricks—entire viewing experience was smooth and seamless.

From current results, the initial strategy of using a blockbuster American drama to promote the streaming platform had succeeded.

Next was to strike while the iron was hot and further expand influence.

Spartacus, The Walking Dead, Modern Family, House of Cards—all could be scheduled.

Including later Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, and Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul…

Xu Can could write the scripts himself, or hire George Martin to write them, completely changing the disastrous ending of Game of Thrones.

Turn this series into a true masterpiece!

Of course, plans must proceed step by step.

This year, Xu Can could first launch Spartacus, Modern Family, and The Walking Dead.

In the future, release one or two high-quality series per year, elevating GalaxyTV+ to heights unreachable by its predecessor Netflix.

"Are there really that many shows to watch? Hurry up and film—I want to see them!"

Taylor Swift enjoyed watching dramas in her spare time, like CSI, Grey's Anatomy, and others.

Hearing Xu Can's future American drama plans on the plane, Taylor Swift's anticipation soared to the max!

"You eat rice one bite at a time—these will all be scheduled over the next two years."

"Perfect! From now on, whatever I want to watch, you'll make it!"

Taylor Swift daydreamed happily.

"Alright, what genre do you want?"

"Mainly suspense—like Law & Order or CSI."

"Do you like Xia Luoke Holmes?"

"Of course! I've read the original novels two or three times!"

Talking about mystery and deduction, Taylor Swift became very excited.

Xu Can recalled why Taylor Swift often interacted with fans on social media, setting up puzzles for them to solve.

She was the ultimate mystery queen.

"What if Xia Luoke Holmes wasn't in the 19th century, but in the modern era—with advanced internet and technology—how would he solve crimes?"

"Hss…"

The moment Taylor Swift heard this premise, her pupils widened noticeably.

"Film this first!! I want to see it—I really want to see it!"

Taylor Swift shook Xu Can's arm insistently.

"Alright, alright—I'll start preparations next month." Xu Can affectionately stroked her lovely face.

"You're the best, darling!"

Taylor Swift gave him a sweet kiss.

……

Arriving at Capital International Airport, Xu Can and Mei Mei were fully geared up, but didn't cause any disturbance.

Who would have thought that this tall, golden couple were actually Spider-Man and Taylor Swift?

Xu Can wasn't in a rush to get down to business, first he took Mei Mei around for a stroll.

They toured all the famous historical sites — the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, and so on.

In his past life and after transmigrating, Xu Can had visited these places, but always alone.

This time, with a gorgeous blonde beauty by his side, Xu Can got a whole different experience.

At every spot he had once walked, the two took commemorative photos, heads pressed together for selfies.

From time to time they'd kiss as if no one else existed, showering passersby with enough PDA to make them sick.

Besides sightseeing everywhere, Xu Can also took Mei Mei to taste Peking duck, copper-pot hotpot, braised stew, donkey rolling…

He even tricked her into drinking douzhi.

"Tay-Tay, there's something delicious I want you to try."

"What is it?" Mei Mei, her face all innocence, still hadn't realized how treacherous society could be.

"This — top-tier enjoyment, a taste you'll never forget."

"I wanna try!" Mei Mei leaned in, then suddenly knit her delicate brows. "It smells kinda off, though."

"Just like stinky tofu — smells nasty, tastes amazing."

"Really? Let me try." Mei Mei pinched her nose skeptically and took a tiny sip along the rim.

The next instant, a sour, sharp jolt shot straight to the top of her skull.

"Yue… ugh!!"

The Taylor Swift who was so dazzling and glamorous before others was now dry-heaving on the old streets of the Nine-Gate City.

Xu Can barely held back his laughter as he recorded this one-of-a-kind moment.

"You! You're bullying me! You did it on purpose!"

"Fine, fine, fine — back at the hotel you can bully me all you want."

"I- hate-U"

Mei Mei's cheeks flushed slightly pink, huffing and pouting coquettishly.

……

After three days of eating, drinking, and making merry with zero cares, Xu Can finally had to get to work.

The main reason he'd come back to the capital this time was to set up the crew for "Dying to Survive."

In another year or two, once "Dallas Buyers Club" comes out, it'll be a lot harder for "Dying to Survive" to win awards.

Same subject matter — the judges would definitely lean toward a story with LGBT elements, set in North America.