Chapter 201 196 Oh My God, You Actually Want to Invite Him?

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

Speaking of the history of American TV series introduced to China, it actually started a long time ago.

Because decades ago, due to the influence of the international situation, after the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, cultural exchanges began.

In 1980, the first American TV series to enter China appeared. Many people who pay attention to American TV series or are older know or have seen it. It is called "The Man from Atlantis".

In fact, the proper translation should be "The Man from Atlantis", probably considering that people did not know what Atlantis was at that time.

In October of childhood, the second American TV series "Garrison's Gorillas" was broadcast, causing a situation where thousands of people emptied the streets, and the scene was not inferior to classic old dramas such as "Journey to the West" and "Desire".

After 16 episodes of this drama were broadcast, it was suddenly suspended. Many people wrote to CCTV to ask 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 Gorillas" was a pure entertainment film with fighting and nonsense, which had little artistic value and caused a bad social impact.

Because according to reports, many people practiced knives and lock picking after watching the show, and serial thefts and other bad cases also increased, a bit like "Young and Dangerous".

Anyway, the common people like it, but the leaders and artists don't like it. After all, it was not market-oriented at that time, and the pursuit was not profit.

Then American TV series such as "Uncle Martin of Mars", "Growing Pains", "Hunter", "The Lion King", "Lace", and "Knight Rider" landed in China one after another, and even "Wonder Woman" and "Superman" were available, and they could have a certain impact in the country or region.

At that time, American TV series could be directly broadcast in the prime time every night, whether on CCTV or major TV stations.

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

However, since 1995, "Friends" has been broadcast on Hong Kong Pearl TV. Since almost everyone in Guangdong can watch Pearl TV, "Friends" has naturally entered the hearts of the younger generation.

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

So from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, dramas such as "Friends", "Will & Grace" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" began to rise in the pirated disc market.

Until the advent of the Internet era, subtitle groups such as Fengruan, Eden, Broken Bear and Renren appeared, and they worked without asking for anything in return.

In addition, high-quality American dramas began to explode, such as "Prison Break", "Grey's Anatomy", "Rome", "Lost", "The Sopranos" and "24 Hours", which made American dramas revived through the Internet.

Later, when the era of standardized video websites began, the Optoelectronics Bureau's review of online dramas was not strict, or the system was not perfect.

Video websites such as Youku, Tudou and iQiyi began to purchase the copyrights of overseas dramas, and dramas such as "The Walking Dead" and "2 Broke Girls" entered the mainland.

Until the new regulations of the Optoelectronics Bureau were introduced in 2014, online dramas purchased from overseas began to be reviewed, and American dramas were removed from the shelves on a large scale.

Coupled with copyright protection, disappearance of subtitle groups and resource groups, and the decline in the creativity of American dramas themselves, American dramas have entered a period of overall decline in China.

It was not until about two or three years before Eric traveled through time that Station B began to purchase a large number of overseas dramas, including American dramas, Japanese dramas, British dramas, etc.

Although they have to be castrated to some extent, it is already precious.

Now it is the end of 2003. In fact, the policy of the Optoelectronics Bureau has been tightened. At present, American dramas can no longer be broadcast on the following TV stations, but CCTV's overseas theaters are still broadcasting.

For example, Spielberg's "Band of Brothers" was broadcast, which is probably that I can set fire, but you can't light a lamp.

So Eric wants to bring American dramas back. It's not accurate to say that it's more standard to say that they should be brought back on a large scale.

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

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 are some policy obstacles to the introduction of American TV series, but it is not completely impossible."

"Now CCTV-8 is considering introducing "Friends" for broadcast next year, or introducing "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"But I don't quite understand the stable introduction channels you mentioned. Can you explain it clearly?"

Eric gave an example: "Director Chen, you can understand it this way, that is, MGM will set up a new company overseas, and we define the nature of this new company as a distributor and middleman."

"It's just that it will be the exclusive distributor, and I need Optoelectronics to grant the exclusive import management rights, which means that all American TV series that want to be imported into China , variety shows or other works, anyway, as long as it is not on the big screen, we are the exclusive agent. "

"Director Chen, the "Friends" you just mentioned belongs to NBC. If this drama wants to be sold to the mainland, it must first pass the new company. "

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

"Chen Ou nodded: "Listening to your description, why does it sound a bit familiar? Isn't this mechanism equivalent to Huaying Group? "

"Huaying controls the import and distribution rights of imported blockbusters. Your new company controls the control of China's exports 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 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 and could not compare 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 jumps up by several steps."

“But in terms of quality, most of them are shoddy and they are just trying to catch the popularity temporarily and try to make a profit by taking advantage of the east wind.”

"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 running 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 entering 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 us. 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 are no longer working. You must 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 liberalizing 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."

"How do you say that? Learn from the foreigners and develop 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 a demand for this in the social market. 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 content. 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 said: "Now is a market economy. In August, even China Film and Television will be reformed. 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 shoddy manufacturing is bound to happen."

"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, if this thing is done, it will be beneficial to everyone."

"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."

"Do business with me and 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 tradition during the Chinese New Year to hold 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?"