Chapter 706: Eternal Night

The Principal's two proposals essentially packaged all the top-tier and mid-tier film and television content producers.

He didn't let any side suffer a loss; everyone got what they deserved. Producers and investors wanted money, fast returns on capital, and high revenue splits.

And Tu Piaopiao wanted the market, market share, and content discourse power—that is, the right to choose which cinema line a film would screen in—so it was also a case of each taking what they needed.

"Principal, was this proposal of yours unanimously approved by your side?" The one asking was Wang Changtian; this was quite tempting to him.

Others, such as Emperor Entertainment, were also quite concerned about this question.

"What I'm saying today, regarding film distribution and which cinema line a film screens in, will be written in black and white and signed into the agreement. Of course, not every cinema line—you can't expect too much on that front." Fang Hong's meaning was that only his cinema line, plus those few major cinema lines, would participate.

As for whether Wanda participated, that wasn't within the scope of consideration.

Of course, some cinema lines would follow this ratio, and some wouldn't.

"Then is there any gambling agreement involved?" Wang Changtian asked again.

"There isn't. Gambling agreements aren't a good thing—they bring huge financial risks and unfair phenomena. I don't promote them here, but if you want to gamble privately, that's your private business." Fang Hong said.

He didn't promote it, but he also couldn't stop this phenomenon from running rampant in the industry.

This was somewhat directed at Huayi—the implication being that back when they had a gambling agreement, the Principal seized the opportunity and took them down.

Everyone was quite reassured by the Principal's answer. Wang Changtian didn't ask further; he was considering.

"The two proposals I've put forward treat everyone equally, with no discrimination whatsoever. If you have any questions, you can ask after the meeting.

In this meeting, I'm working to secure benefits for you all, to secure advantages. I hope everyone can make money and unite to face outward challenges together." What Fang Hong said was quite noble.

This was indeed the case—whether it was early returns on capital or reduced revenue split ratios, the producers were the ones benefiting. The cinema lines and distributors gained nothing.

Even if there were benefits, it was a three-way win; there wasn't much to say.

Of course, they understood in their hearts that if the Principal weren't trying to take down Wanda, he wouldn't be so generous.

"The Principal's proposals can be said to greatly facilitate us and change an industry system that has operated for decades. I can say this: if the film and television circle didn't have the Principal, it would be an eternal night!" Fatty Yu certainly knew how to flatter.

Looking around at the surrounding crowd, the others all nodded in agreement. You flatter right, it's just too exaggerated.

Da Xiao Wang couldn't help but look at this fatty—how did he steal their lines?

"Yes, the Principal is truly too selfless, worrying and exerting himself for us." The two brothers weren't willing to be outdone either.

"Don't put it that way. I've only done a few very trivial things; I haven't done much at all."

Fang Hong was modest for a moment, then continued: "Furthermore, our advantages don't stop here. In the future, we'll have Virtual Production and AI Assistance to solve the problem of overly long production cycles for everyone.

Also, the sectors under Chang'e Technology and Big Data, as well as targeted audience Propaganda Department—you've all seen their power. I won't say more about these."

In the past, when he competed with those traditional film and television companies, it was by grasping the foundational Big Data distribution and publicity system.

Back then, he had already beaten Huayi Film and Bona Film Group into total retreat. Now, platforms like Douyin, as well as Big Data, are even more mature.

The old publicity model was casting a wide net—regardless of whether they were the target audience, they just promoted indiscriminately. Now, it's about using Big Data for precise targeting.

"Principal, we understand everything you've said. Don't keep worrying about us—tell us what you want us to do!" Xinli's Cao Huayi said.

These few were still very cooperative.

"To tell you the truth, my grudge with Lao Wang Zong is a personal one and shouldn't involve you all. But I just have to vent this anger, which is why this Tu Ying Conference exists.

And what I want you to do is, during this summer slot, including the upcoming National Day slot and the New Year Slot, stay aligned with me and isolate Wanda Cinema Line.

The time period might be somewhat long, but I can guarantee that just for this year, you won't lose too much. Chang'e Video will purchase the Copyright IP at a premium." Fang Hong finally revealed his purpose.

After doing so much, of course he had to get something from these people.

"No problem. My Huayi is in—won't give films to that old fellow at Wanda." Da Xiao Wang was the first to raise his hand, then looked at the others to see who hadn't raised theirs.

This carried a hint of coercion.

No need to say more—Fatty Yu and Xinli raised their hands one after another. They were lapdogs.

Then Yaolai Film and Television and Emperor Entertainment also raised their hands. They had no choice not to. Others might not pay attention to them, but the Principal was watching them!

Seeing that several of the top-tier companies had raised their hands, Gongfu Pictures's Chen Guofu, who had been listening for a long time, also raised his hand.

Including small film and television companies like Tang De, Huanrui, Huace, Huanxi, and Jimei, they also raised their hands in unison. For a moment, the majority of film and television company bosses in the venue raised their hands, deciding to follow.

They couldn't produce more than a few films a year. Buying the Principal's goodwill and recognition with one film was worth it.

For some TV dramas, the Principal had already given them plenty of Copyright IP.

Moreover, even if they got into theaters, they might not necessarily make money. Wanda might not necessarily screen their films or give them showtimes.

In the past, they generally lost money and couldn't recoup much. Instead, releasing on online platforms was better—more people would watch, and earning some copyright fees wasn't bad either.

This also indirectly provided a content library for Chang'e.

Just as Fang Hong was holding the meeting to cut off all of Wanda's film sources, Lao Wang Zong also felt the pressure and met with Jack Ma.

"Old Ma, the Principal is serious this time—cutting off my film sources, leaving me with nothing to screen." Lao Wang Zong said anxiously.

If it really came to that, Wanda Cinema Line would inevitably face losses. The first half of the year was propped up by Hollywood films, but in the second half, many good slots simply couldn't be filled with Hollywood films.

Because this was an unwritten rule—Hollywood films don't get the good slots. Like the previous Captain America 3, it was only scheduled for May 6th, a slot after the workday began.

Holidays weren't given to them—those went to domestic films. In the second half of the year, basically no good Hollywood films would be seen. Only The Great Wall was famous!

Such were the national conditions, and this was the opportunity Fang Hong chose to cut off Wanda's film sources in the second half of the year.

"I already know the Principal's meeting content—dramatically shortening the capital return cycle, reducing box office splits, the temptation is big enough. You're just one of many cinema lines, not a necessary option, so they're willing to follow the Principal." Jack Ma analyzed.

It was normal for him to know, given so many people were at the meeting.

"Then do you have any good methods?" Lao Wang Zong said.

The two sat facing each other, with a tea set between them, steam rising.

"I'll be honest. I thought the Principal would bleed a little to deal with you, and we'd bleed him more. I didn't expect him to use Big Data, use financial leverage—it didn't hurt him at all."

Jack Ma had thought the Principal would hurt the enemy by a thousand while hurting himself by eight hundred, but he hadn't.

He said again: "There isn't really a good countermeasure. Content is the source—once it's cut off, the downstream cinema lines are really greatly affected."

This left Lao Wang Zong somewhat distressed, as if he'd suddenly aged many years. The Principal truly had ideas, leaving him helpless.

He had also heard about the meeting content; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to find Jack Ma. At other times, he wouldn't look for him.

If that's the case, we might as well just surrender—it's a loss either way, and surrendering means we only lose half.

"The Principal is indeed clever, but we don't have to snipe him head-on at the main gate, do we? We open a new front." Jack Ma said.

"How so?" Lao Wang Zong grew interested.

"You're in real estate, so you should have connections in that area. I also have a decent relationship with Evergrande. Let's mobilize our contacts and jack up the rent across the board for the cinemas under the Principal's banner, to bleed him dry." Jack Ma said.

"That could work!" Lao Wang Zong clapped his hands, expressing his agreement.

This has no impact on Wanda, because Wanda is entirely its own brand, and Jade Rabbit's cinemas aren't in Wanda Plaza either—but we can mobilize those with good relations, like Sunac, R&F, and other real estate companies.

They all have commercial streets, and under them they surely have the Principal's cinemas, so jacking up the rent across the board is doable.

Alibaba has very good relations with Intime, Vanke, Country Garden, Greenland, and so on—especially Evergrande, needless to say.

If we get these real estate companies to jack up the rent across the board for the Principal's cinemas, it'll be enough to give the Principal a real headache.

After all, he has several hundred cinemas!

As long as Jack Ma is willing to do this, he'll do it—his own influence alone is limited.

This is where the powerful connections of these bigwigs come into play—networks of relationships everywhere, and existing partnerships to boot.

"Also, let's wage a copyright war on the Principal. You hold numerous Hollywood film and TV copyrights, plus FIBA and FIFA event rights, and all the copyrights at Legendary Pictures are in your hands.

Add to that my layout in content and film and TV, plus Tony Ma—the three of us working together to teach the Principal a lesson, bleeding him from every direction." Jack Ma offered his plan.

"What's Tony Ma got to do with this?" Lao Wang Zong didn't understand.

"Tony Ma seems to have felt threatened, and right now he's restricting Chang'e's Douyin, Bilibili, and so on. We just need to coordinate with him—no need to notify him. He's a smart man; if we make our move, he'll naturally know what to do." Jack Ma said.

(End of chapter)