Chapter 93: Ratings Continue to Rise

It wasn't just the Xu sisters who were paying attention to the broadcast of *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre*.

Wu Dun, Jia Jingwen, Zhang Long, and others who remained in Wandao all sat in front of the TV the moment it started.

Although the specific ratings wouldn't come out that quickly.

But having invested a large amount of money and time, it was impossible for them, as interested parties, not to be nervous, especially Jia Jingwen; this was the first major drama of hers that would be broadcast in the Mainland.

If it could be a hit, the road ahead would definitely be much easier.

Although she didn't have any scenes at the beginning.

That didn't affect her concern.

The TV show started with the fight for the Dragon Slaying Sabre. Yin Susu, played by Guo Feili, was like a celestial being from beyond the heavens, stepping on a kite to make her entrance. A red dress fluttered on her body, attracting the gazes of countless men.

Afterward, Yin Susu was injured, and Zhang Cuishan fed her medicine with a bamboo tube in his mouth, spreading a wave of romance.

Guo Feili's shy appearance.

Made the Wandao men sitting in front of the TV stare straight-eyed.

Seeing this scene, the two Xu sisters couldn't help but mutter to themselves, but Li Luo's ancient costume look still amazed them; his tall and straight figure wearing a white robe looked truly elegant and dashing.

An actor's appearance is extremely important.

Although it's not very fair, good-looking people can always be treated kindly by this world.

The female audience members who were originally wondering why they had found someone they didn't know to play Zhang Wuji were instantly conquered by Li Luo's handsome looks, and any trace of doubt was thrown to the back of their minds.

As long as they look good, who cares who they are.

As an ancient idol drama, *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* was undoubtedly shaped very successfully.

The first episode hadn't even finished broadcasting.

It switched to Zhang Cuishan being injured, and then Yin Susu also had a bamboo tube in her mouth.

Feeding him medicine.

It made countless men in front of the TV envious and jealous, and women's hearts beat wildly.

The love scenes were filmed with great affection.

The martial arts scenes, enhanced by Yuan Bin, also shone brilliantly. The fighting at the Eagle Sect's sword-awarding conference was displayed quite magnificently. With a roar from the Golden-Haired Lion King, a row of large drums exploded in unison.

Dust and smoke drifted everywhere.

The large group of martial arts figures who came to attend the conference were also stunned into idiots by this lion's roar.

Such a grand scene kept the audience's eyes glued to the screen.

The scenes on Ice Fire Island followed one after another.

After hesitating for a moment, the soaking wet Yin Susu pinched Zhang Cuishan's mouth and kissed him heavily.

Such a scene made others envious.

No one even cared about the plot between Yang Xiao and Ji Xiaofu. The audience watched with regret as the second episode ended, and they had many expectations for what Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu would encounter on Ice Fire Island.

Having some expectations was already enough.

*Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* had been filmed in more than one version, and many plots were well-known.

It wasn't easy to bring out some freshness.

The next day.

Wu Dun received the freshly baked ratings statistics report.

Ratings are calculated based on the entire Wandao population; the current total population is over 22 million, and one ratings point represents over 200,000 people watching simultaneously.

On the table, it was clearly 2.3.

Which meant that over 500,000 people were watching this TV series at the same time.

It didn't seem high.

But it had already reached third place in the same time slot.

After filling in its shortcomings, *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* did not repeat the mediocre response of its previous life's broadcast, successfully firing the opening shot.

Wu Dun smiled as he pressed down on the head of his new female secretary.

The cigar flickered.

Ratings are the foundation of a drama. Only when there are enough viewers will manufacturers be willing to spend large sums of money on advertising. With more advertising revenue, TV stations will naturally be willing to spend money to buy the broadcast rights.

Everything is linked.

The ratings of *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* breaking 2 was just the beginning.

As episodes were broadcast one after another, more and more viewers were attracted, and the ratings rose all the way up.

After hovering at 3 for a few episodes, it quietly broke through to 4.

It was only one step away from a million viewers, and there were already signs of it becoming a hit drama.

Changhong Film and Television.

Zhang Long stood in front of the fax machine, waiting eagerly for AC-Nielsen to send over the latest ratings statistics report. With a beep, the machine began to vibrate.

His heartbeat accelerated a bit too.

Doing this business is more exciting than gambling.

Over 10 million and several months of time were invested, just to see the hundreds and thousands digits jumping constantly.

Every time it jumped up a bit, it represented massive revenue.

But if it jumped down.

Sometimes you would lose everything.

Without a big heart, you simply couldn't play this game.

Licking his dry lips, Zhang Long picked up the statistics report that still carried a hint of warmth, his eyes quickly falling on the ratings, and his eyes lit up accordingly.

Ignoring the expectant gazes of others.

He rushed out of the dispatch room and ran toward Wu Dun's office.

"Knock knock."

Knocking casually, Zhang Long pushed open the door excitedly: "Wu—"

Just as he was about to speak, his voice stopped abruptly.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"I understand, I'm really sorry, there was a slight misunderstanding in communication."

"I will reflect on it."

"Right, I will get to Jingcheng as soon as possible."

"Stop broadcasting, definitely stop broadcasting."

"Okay, thank you!"

Wu Dun was on the phone, and the few words revealed made Zhang Long feel that something was wrong.

"What's the matter?"

Hanging up the phone, Wu Dun's face looked a bit ugly.

"The ratings are out."

Zhang Long stepped forward and placed the statistics report on the table: "Good news, ratings broke 5, now there are over a million people watching, and the highest segment ratings reached 5.3."

"According to this trend, breaking 7 is definitely no problem."

"Broadcast to the eighth episode, right?"

Wu Dun rubbed his temples and took the statistics report: "Which plot was the highest segment?"

This was definitely good news.

But there was no joy on his face; instead, he looked very depressed.

"Li Luo."

Zhang Long thought for a moment and quickly gave the answer: "The transition from young Zhang Wuji to adult Zhang Wuji, the part where he walks out of the water shirtless."

"Hmm~"

Sighing, Wu Dun nodded and said: "That part was indeed filmed well, women like to watch it."

"Get me the people from CTS."

"We need to stop broadcasting."

Zhang Long was confused and repeated the other party's words: "Stop broadcasting?"

"*Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* stops broadcasting."

Wu Dun bit his cheek and tapped the table: "Arrange a dinner party for tonight, the time needs to be earlier. Some procedures haven't been handled well. If we don't stop broadcasting now, don't even think about broadcasting in the Mainland in the future!"

Hearing this news, Zhang Long no longer had the happy look he had just now.

Fortunately, the quality of the new drama had already been verified.

Judging by the current market reaction, this drama was definitely a hit, and the money invested would definitely see a return.

It barely diluted the bad news of stopping the broadcast.

Wu Dun quickly adjusted his depressed mood. That night, he apologized profusely to the CTS leadership, indicated that the subsequent broadcast would definitely be placed on CTS, and made certain concessions in terms of benefits.

Only then was the negative impact from the TV station eliminated.

The upward momentum of *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* in Wandao came to an abrupt end just like that!

Wu Dun, flushed with drink, accompanied by Zhang Long, quickly rushed to the next important drinking party.

"Sorry, sorry."

As soon as Wu Dun entered the room, he cupped his hands: "Brothers, I'm sorry, there was a temporary emergency, please don't take offense."

Artists need to socialize, and investors are no exception.

Nowadays, a big drama easily involves an investment of 10 or 20 million.

Even companies with strong strength rarely invest in a TV show or movie alone. It's not that eating alone isn't good, but no one can guarantee that an investment will definitely make money.

Pulling in a few more familiar companies to invest together can greatly reduce financial risk.

If you make money, it's just a matter of sharing some benefits.

That's no big deal.

The relationship network built this way is also a huge gain.

The private room was basically filled with bosses or investors of film and television companies from the two shores and three regions. Every year, they would gather a few times to talk about industry development and connect with each other.

Sometimes, this group of people could negotiate a project over a drink.

It belongs to the kind of drinking party that most actors would break their heads trying to get into.

But couldn't.

Personal assistants like Zhang Long could only wait outside and didn't have the qualifications to be seated.

"Happy events make people feel refreshed."

One of the film company bosses raised his glass to him and asked curiously: "Is Wu Zong already starting to celebrate in advance? The momentum of *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* is good, what are the ratings now?"

"Highest 5.3."

Wu Dun held his glass and toasted the few people in the room: "Not celebrating, going to apologize!"

Hearing the first half of the sentence.

Some were envious, some showed joy.

Everyone knew what it meant for a TV series to reach 5.3 ratings after just a few episodes; it meant the other party had produced a hen that laid golden eggs.

A TV series isn't just sold once.

Three rounds, five rounds.

Some legendary dramas can even be sold for dozens of rounds.

And it's not just sold to one company; those dramas with high ratings will have plenty of TV stations coming to grab them, and the video market cannot be ignored. Each of these is a source of continuous revenue.

It is precisely because of these reasons that countless people are attracted like moths to a flame.

All to make money.

The two or three people showing joy naturally had a share in the investment of this drama.

But the second half of the sentence made them confused.

Shaking his head.

Wu Dun told them what had just happened.

These film company bosses and investors all laughed. They had encountered even more ridiculous things. Now, it was certain that *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* could make money; it was just a matter of pushing the time back a bit.

It didn't count as a big deal.

After joking for a few sentences, they began to drink.

"Wu Zong."

After three rounds of drinks, one of them pointed to his glass and said to Wu Dun: "Do you owe me a drink?"

"Drinking is no problem."

Wu Dun covered his glass, smiling kindly: "But Li Zong needs to make things clear first."

Opposite was a high-level executive from Physician Sunshine.

"Zhao Wenchao."

Li Sipin looked at Wu Dun, crying and laughing: "You guy, I even helped you arrange a role for Shi Xiaolong, but you turned around and snatched the male lead I wanted with President Zheng to film some *Wu Meiniang*."

"Now that I don't have a male lead, tell me, should you drink?"

"Hahaha."

In the private room, laughter rang out.

In the film and television industry, some companies will sign actors, similar to Tangren, where the main roles of their own produced film and television dramas are given to their own artists, focusing on keeping the benefits within their own company.

Many companies are large platters.

They only care about investment and filming, finding whoever has the market, finding whoever is suitable.

As long as they can achieve results.

Now both of them had their eyes on Zhao Wenchao, Wu Dun signed him first, and the filming schedules of these two TV series conflicted. Li Sipin was helpless and could only punish the other party with a drink here.

Snatching people happens from time to time; the fast have it, the slow don't.

So it caused a burst of laughter from everyone.

"Hmm, not right."

Wu Dun's heart moved, and he tapped the table: "I think Li Zong, you should toast me."

"Hey."

Li Sipin was suddenly anxious, rolled up his sleeves and said: "If you don't give me a one, two, three, don't blame me for getting you drunk tonight."

The people who can sit here are all friends.

After all, being able to play with tens of millions in business in 2002, especially this kind of film and television circle business, no one's strength or background is bad, so everyone doesn't feel empty when talking.

"First of all, I have no interest in this."

Wu Dun picked up the cigar on the table and lit it slowly: "For the sake of you arranging Xiaolong, I'll tell you this."

The pretentious appearance attracted a burst of curiosity.

Everyone looked at him one after another.

"You say." Li Sipin played with his glass.

"Isn't it just a male lead!"

Wu Dun exhaled smoke slowly and said with a smile: "I know a male actor, his image and acting skills are no problem, he can film martial arts scenes, and riding a horse is even less of a problem."

"His schedule is absolutely sufficient, he doesn't even have a play on hand."

"The most important thing is."

Flicking the cigar ash, he sighed and shook his head: "That guy will definitely explode in popularity in a few months. Whoever can find him to act now is definitely picking up a big bargain."

"If it weren't for Zhao Wenchao being set in advance, I would definitely have let him act in that *Wu Meiniang* with Jia Jingwen."

In the last few months.

Wu Dun mainly invested in one play.

The male lead was already set, otherwise he wouldn't have done this favor.

Anyway, he also appreciated Li Luo very much, so he had a flash of inspiration just now, followed the other party's words and pushed it, even if it didn't work, he could bring the topic over.

If it worked.

Li Luo would owe him a big favor, no matter how you calculate it, it's not a loss.

Thinking of this.

Wu Dun smiled like an old fox.

"Are you fooling a ghost?"

Li Sipin picked up a peanut and threw it into his mouth, quickly finding the loopholes in those few sentences: "You say explode, and he explodes?"

"Can a person who explodes have no play on hand?"

"He really doesn't."

Wu Dun spread his hands and smiled helplessly: "That guy is very smart, I guess if my *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre* isn't broadcast, he won't take any plays. That kid is waiting to raise the price!"

"I've pointed the person out to you, whether you can talk him down during this time."

"Depends on your ability."

Not only can actors pick up leaks, but the crew can too.

If you are lucky enough to pick up an actor who is about to explode, it is definitely a benefit for selling the drama.

Wu Dun was ready to go to Jingcheng tomorrow, and by the way, set a play that was in preparation with Li Luo. The salary could be discussed later, but the schedule must be locked.

For an actor who is on fire, if you don't book the schedule in advance.

It's hard to find them to act.

Everyone here is a familiar person, it doesn't matter if you reveal a little bit of wind, anyway, he will contact Li Luo in advance. ===== CHAPTER 94 =====