America: Starting with the acquisition of MGM

Chapter 197 Oh my god, you actually want to invite him?

Speaking of the history of American TV series being introduced to China, it actually started very early.

Affected by the international situation decades ago, cultural exchanges began after the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

In 1980, the first American TV series to enter China appeared. Many people who pay attention to American TV series or are older will know or have watched it. It was called "The Man from the Bottom of the Atlantic".

In fact, the translation of the Zhengerba Sutra should be "The Man from Atlantis", probably because people didn't know what Atlantis was at that time.

In October of my childhood, the second American TV series "Garrison Suicide Squad" was aired, resulting in a situation where the crowds were empty, and the battle was not lost to classic old dramas such as "Journey to the West" and "Desire".

The show suddenly stopped broadcasting after 16 episodes. Many people wrote to CCTV asking for the reason, which became a major event in the history of CCTV.

The reason for the suspension was that the leaders believed that "Garrison's Suicide Squad" was a purely entertainment film about fighting and nonsense, with little artistic value and a negative social impact.

Because it was reported that many people practiced knife throwing, lock picking and other techniques after watching the show at that time, and serious cases such as serial thefts also increased, a bit like "Young and Dangerous".

Anyway, the common people liked it, but the leaders didn’t like it, and the artists didn’t like it. After all, marketization hadn’t started at that time, and the pursuit was not profit.

Subsequently, American dramas such as "Uncle Martin", "Growing Pains", "Hunter", "The Brave Lion", "Lace" and "Knight Rider" successively landed in China, as well as dramas such as "Wonder Woman" and "Superman" , and can have a certain impact nationwide or regionally.

At that time, American dramas could be directly recorded in the prime time slot every night, whether on CCTV or a major TV station.

However, in the 1990s, policies began to tighten, the introduction of American dramas gradually stopped, and Korean dramas began to become popular.

However, since "Friends" began to be broadcast on the Hong Kong Pearl Channel in 1995, since almost everyone in Guangdong can watch the Pearl Channel, "Friends" has naturally entered the hearts of the younger generation.

Later, many pirated disc dealers discovered business opportunities. Sitcoms were particularly popular among young people and were used as courseware in classes to learn English.

Therefore, in the past few years from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, dramas such as "Friends", "Will \u0026 Grace", and "Everybody Loves Raymond" began to emerge in the pirated disc market.

Until the advent of the Internet age, subtitle groups such as Feng Ruan, Eden, Tattered Bear, and Renren appeared, and they gave without asking for anything in return.

In addition, high-quality American dramas have begun to explode. "Prison Break", "Grey's Anatomy", "Roma", "Lost", "The Sopranos" and "24" have appeared one after another, allowing American dramas to achieve a revival through the Internet.

Later, in the era of standardization of video websites, the Office of Optoelectronics was not strict in censoring online dramas, or the system was not perfect yet.

Video websites such as Youku, Tudou, and iQiyi began to purchase the copyrights of overseas dramas, and dramas such as "The Walking Dead" and "Broke Sisters" entered the mainland.

It was not until 2014 that the Optoelectronics Bureau issued new regulations, online dramas purchased overseas began to be censored, and American dramas were removed from the shelves on a large scale.

Coupled with the superposition of various factors such as copyright protection, the disappearance of subtitle groups, resource groups, and the decline in the creative power of American dramas themselves, American dramas have entered a period of comprehensive decline in China.

It wasn’t until about two or three years before Eric’s time travel that Station B began to purchase a large number of overseas dramas, including American dramas, Japanese dramas, British dramas, etc.

Although they have to undergo castration to some extent, it is already very valuable.

It is now the end of 2003. In fact, the policies of the Optoelectronics Bureau have been tightened. Currently, the following TV stations can no longer broadcast American dramas, but CCTV's overseas theaters are still broadcasting them.

For example, Spielberg's "Band of Brothers" was broadcast, and it was probably that I can set fires, but you can't light lamps.

So Eric wants to reintroduce American TV series, which is not accurate. A more standard term is to reintroduce them on a large scale.

Not to mention returning to the golden age of the last century, at least allow local stations to broadcast, recover first and then bloom again.

After hearing his request, Zhou Xiaopeng and Han Sanping looked at Chen Ou together. They couldn't make the decision on this matter, and they had to look at the attitude of the Optoelectronics Bureau.

Chen Ou hesitated for a moment: "There is currently some policy resistance to the introduction of American TV series, but it is not completely impossible."

"Now the Central Television Channel 8 is considering introducing "Friends" to be broadcast next year, or introducing "Everybody Loves Raymond"."

"But I don't quite understand what you mean by stable introduction channels. Can you explain it clearly?"

Eric gave an example: "Bureau Chen, you can understand it this way, MGM will establish a new company overseas. We define the nature of this new company as a publisher and intermediary."

"It's just that it will be the exclusive distributor. I need Optoelectronics to grant the exclusive right to introduce and operate it. This means that we will be the exclusive agent for all American dramas, variety shows or others that want to be imported to China. Anyway, as long as they are not on the big screen."

"Burr Chen, the "Friends" you just mentioned belongs to NBC. If this show wants to be sold to the mainland, it must first go through the new company."

"After passing our level, we will do business with the Optoelectronics Bureau, or with a company authorized by Optoelectronics, such as Oriental MGM, which is good."

Chen Ou nodded: "Listening to your description, it sounds familiar. Isn't this mechanism equivalent to the China Film Group?"

"China Film controls the import and distribution rights of imported blockbusters. Your new company has control over China's output from the United States."

Han Sanping said hurriedly: "I was just about to say this. Is your new company specifically engaged in small screens or big screens? Does it involve movies?"

Eric waved his hand: "Don't worry, we won't compete with Huaying. We don't care about the big screen. Of course, you don't mind if you want to license it to us."

"Are you kidding? I don't even have enough food at home."

Hearing that Eric had no interest in the big screen, Han Sanping was relieved. The TV series only cost a few bucks, which was completely incomparable with imported blockbusters.

But this is a good thing. If Optoelectronics licenses it to Eastern MGM or China Film and connects with Eric's new company, the profits in the middle will be a good income.

If nothing else goes wrong, after the "Meg" project is launched, he will soon correct himself, and Oriental MGM will be in his hands.

Holding the imported blockbusters in one hand and the imported American TV series in the other, driving with two wheels and flying with both wings, it is simply a great thing, and I can't even go to heaven!

Thinking of this, Han Sanping said: "Old Chen, I think this proposal is good."

"Look at our current TV drama market. The development in the past few years has become more and more abnormal. If a subject becomes popular, everyone will follow suit."

"Just like after "Huan Zhu Princess" became popular, "Hua Jade Princess", "The Last Princess", "New Moon Princess", "Thirteen Princesses" and "Princess Princess" all came out. It gave me a headache."

"Meteor Garden has become a hit, and various idol dramas have appeared, which has had a huge impact on young students."

"There are also drama series, dynasty series, secret history series, spy series, etc. The production costs are rising, and the cost of selling them to TV stations also goes up by several steps."

"But in terms of quality, most of them are shoddy and they are just trying to take advantage of the east wind to make a profit."

"If this continues, the market will gradually be distorted. We must find ways to force the market to improve production levels."

Listening to his rants, Eric couldn't help but chuckle in his heart. If you saw anti-Japanese dramas going rampant in the future, rubbing the audience's IQ to the ground, you wouldn't know what you would think.

Chen Ou looked at him with burning eyes: "Old Han, what do you want to say?"

"What I want to say is very simple. We are engaged in overseas distribution and joint venture film companies. What is the purpose? Making money is part and prerequisite, but the ultimate goal is to export culture to the outside world."

"This is the path that must be taken as our country's national strength improves."

"A generation ago in the last century, our country had not yet joined the WTO and was not ushering in a golden period of development like it is now."

"They just needed to take care of their heads and not be invaded by foreign ideas."

"But our group of people is different. We still need to find ways to put our own things into other people's heads. This is the same as taking money out of other people's pockets. They are two of the most difficult things in the world, but the burden is on On our shoulders.”

"do you think so?"

Chen Ou nodded: "Yes, you continue."

"Old Chen, it's not easy to pick up this responsibility well. The old methods don't work anymore. You have to be more open-minded and liberate your thoughts."

"Times have changed, and we can no longer follow the old path. Policies should also be relaxed. I think gradually opening up the market and bringing in dramas from outside is one of the ways."

"The prerequisite for exporting culture is that you must first see the outside culture, so that you can create more targeted creations."

"What do you mean by that? Learn from the foreigners and gain skills to defeat the foreigners. Of course, I'm not talking about you Eric. That's the truth."

"If you go to Tianqiao street stalls or video stores, you will find a lot of pirated American dramas and movies, especially young people and college students, who are the main audience."

"There is demand in the social market for this aspect. What they are exposed to now are all unabridged versions, and there may be prohibited content hidden in them."

"But can you block it? Can you catch it? Coupled with the Internet environment, our ancestors all know that it is better to block it than to clear it!"

"Let's do it ourselves, hold this market in our own hands, review it before introducing it, and delete what should be deleted."

"This not only satisfies the needs of the masses, but also deletes prohibited items. It can also promote market development and force domestic producers to improve their standards."

"After five years of work, I can guarantee with my forehead that the quality of domestic film and television dramas will definitely improve to a big level."

"Only when the foundation is laid can we facilitate the export of culture to the outside world. Quality is the hard currency. Are you right?"

Zhou Xiaopeng also spoke up and said: "Now is a market economy. Even China Film and Television will be reformed in August. The environment is indeed different."

"As people's demands increase, the film and television industry cannot be as meticulous as in the past. It is unrealistic to spend three or four years creating a work, and people will starve to death."

"So this kind of following the trend is bound to happen, and so is shoddy manufacturing."

"Although costume dramas are developing well, costume dramas can only survive in Southeast Asia. It is impossible to go further."

"If this trend continues, the film and television works released in the next few years will only be worse."

"Introducing good works from outside to stimulate the inside, the catfish effect will force domestic innovation and produce more sophisticated and diversified dramas. I think we can try it."

"In addition, in the current domestic and external TV drama market, Hallyu is the dominant one, so it is not a bad idea to introduce competitors."

Chen Ou pondered for a while: "What you said all makes sense, but this is not a trivial matter, and we can't decide it after just talking."

"MGM has been working hard to help us and is our good friend. Chinese people never let their friends down."

"Let's see. I'll report to the director first when I get back. There will definitely be an internal meeting to discuss it for a while."

"Even if Optoelectronics agrees, the plan will still need further review after it is submitted."

"Eric, I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

Eric also knows that the process must be carried out step by step. For such things that involve the policy level, the research in the first half of the year is considered fast.

"Director Chen, I'll leave it to you. In fact, it will be beneficial to everyone if this matter is done."

"In the future, if Optoelectronics wants to introduce good dramas, it only needs to go to MGM, which will save you from having to deal with NBC, Fox, ABC and other companies."

"When you do business with me, I promise not to cheat you. My principle has always been mutual benefit."

"Similarly, if local TV stations in China want to buy American dramas, they have to go through Optoelectronics. Behind us are their respective huge domestic markets. The middlemen make the difference and create economic benefits."

Eric's proposal is actually no different from a monopoly, it is just a monopoly allowed by the state.

If the operation is successful, it can accelerate the maturity of the mainland market and be very helpful in making huge profits in the future.

The negotiation continued until the sun went down. When Old Han saw that the time was almost up, he stood up and said: "We have been talking for so long, so don't sit here. Come with me. We have made arrangements."

A group of people arrived at the hotel. After having a good meal and drinks, everyone except Susan, who didn't drink, had their faces a little red.

"I said no one can leave. There are still programs to come, especially you Eric. You came and left in a hurry last time."

"You come with me today and follow my arrangements. You can also see if the good stuff here is better than the stuff in Hollywood."

Seeing this, Susan wisely said goodbye and left. She was not suitable to participate in the next content.

Chen Ou also wanted to leave, but Lao Han held him back and refused to let him go. People said that something really happened.

After all, this was the first time I met Eric, and there was no connection of interest at the moment, so it was better to be cautious.

Before leaving, Chen Ou suddenly took Eric's arm.

"Eric, I have another unkind request. I want to ask you to help me."

"you say."

"It's not the Chinese New Year. We have a Chinese New Year tradition of holding a nationwide gala, called the Spring Festival Gala for short."

"Recently, the director of CCTV complained to me, saying that he was under a lot of pressure, both in terms of ratings and innovation."

"This is not about joining the WTO, so he wanted to try an international route and invite international big names to sing songs, and asked me if there was any way."

"When I saw you today, I thought of this and just wanted to ask you, can you help invite Michael Jackson to sing a song at the Spring Festival Gala?"