I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 374 The Horn of the Times!
The early morning wind carried a slight chill.

Early autumn carries a touch of desolation.

The secretary entered quietly and handed over the latest box office data report.

After glancing at it, Chen Lei waved his hand and waited for the secretary to leave before quietly sitting down in his chair.

On the table, the box office figures for "Transformers" on its second day were only 4000 million, and the total number of viewers dropped to around 100 million.

The box office of "Transformers" broke through 1800 million RMB, and the total number of viewers reached an astonishing 120 million!

While Transformers raked in considerable profits thanks to its top-notch special effects and the influence of its IP, its actual potential was significantly diminished by the forced reduction in ticket prices and the disruption of screening schedules by Zhou Yang's [Cinema Alliance]...

He kept an eye on the upcoming nationwide film schedule...

Although nearly 40 new cinemas were added nationwide after the 19th, these cinemas will inevitably increase the number of screenings for "Transformers"...

But these are all cinemas under Zhou Yang's ownership...

Meanwhile, cinemas like Wanda Cinemas are currently integrating into a new cinema chain system and undergoing renovations, while the investment progress of large companies is far slower than that of Zhou Yang and his coal bosses who act on their whims.

He closed his eyes!

"Transformer Metal" is just the beginning. Meanwhile, "Transformer Steel Bar," a new film that sold out in pre-sales at a "suicide price" of 8 yuan thanks to Zhou Yang's coal mine owner capital, is like a ghost haunting future screening schedules, foreshadowing a new round of "strangulation"...

He took out his phone and dialed Li Minghao's number again at Huaying International.

"How many new cinemas will be able to open in three days?"

"Mr. Chen, there's nothing we can do. Many cinemas are still in the testing phase and won't be open until at least next month. Moreover, the supporting facilities for Wanda Cinemas and other cinemas are not yet complete. If we force our way in, it will result in a poor viewing experience."

"Now, we don't care about all that anymore. If it works, we'll use it. Also, get the ticketing system ready for me within three days!"

"But effective lead generation and promotion may take time..."

"I will contact major internet media outlets and provide you with traffic and data!"

"Okay, then I'll try!"

"..."

....................................

September was a magical and crazy time for countless Chinese filmmakers.

They seemed to be witnessing history, or as if they were in the midst of the turbulent waves of the times, becoming bystanders to this surging change.

Three days after the premieres of Transformers and Transformers Metal!

The entire film market has descended into utter madness.

They're eyeing the 4000 million RMB Transformers movie!
This IP, touted as the world's top IP, doesn't seem to have swept through Zhou Yang's film industry as expected, nor has it even suppressed the brilliance of "Transformers".

On its second day of release, the film grossed 1800 million RMB and attracted nearly 120 million viewers. These figures are astonishing and leave one speechless!
For movie fans, this was an incredibly shocking and then almost dreamlike period.

Following the phenomenal success of Transformers, which ignited the market with laughter and tears, [XuanShi Entertainment] is once again creating a frenzy!
With movie tickets priced at an incredibly low 8 yuan, coupled with irresistible discounts, wave after wave of frenzied promotions have completely ignited the entire film industry!

This battle began with [Xuanshi Entertainment] and then ignited across cinemas and shopping malls nationwide...

On September 17th, Wanda Cinemas, in conjunction with shopping malls across the country, launched an unprecedented ticket price storm!

While the ticket price for "Transformers" remains the same, a 30 yuan voucher for all categories of goods is included with the purchase of a ticket, meaning that viewers only need to pay 30 yuan to watch the movie.

At the same time, the three major cinema chains, led by Huaying International, opened more than 30 new cinemas across the country overnight. The first thing you see on the LED screens and major official websites is crazy price reductions!

While the Transformers models in the mall's atrium maintain their original prices, signs offering discounts when combined with movie tickets are ubiquitous!

Not only have model prices been adjusted, but all merchants in emerging cinema malls such as Wanda Mall and Hengteng Mall are launching various promotional activities, including inviting celebrities to the event.

Consumers are overwhelmed by the overwhelming promotional activities and are completely immersed in the shopping frenzy brought about by this commercial war, unable to extricate themselves!

While the offline battles are in full swing, the online competition is becoming even more intense.

Following the launch of [XuanShi Ticketing], [Huaying International] has partnered with three major cinema chains to urgently launch the [LianZhong Ticketing System].

The ticketing advertisement was simultaneously launched on dozens of internet platforms, including [Wandou Movie Network], [Weibo], and [Movie Fans' Home], with promotional information for movie tickets and mall discount coupons flooding every corner.

Even more shockingly, BaoTao.com launched its first-ever "Double 10" promotion, partnering with 300 merchants to offer discounts across the board, and even providing major perks such as a movie ticket raffle with cash prizes...

……

Watching the market go wild and mad!

In this unprecedented capital crusade, ordinary consumers seem to be caught up in an absurd carnival.

People rushed into shopping malls clutching movie ticket coupons worth 15 and 30 yuan. Goods on shelves across the country disappeared at a visible speed, and long queues formed at the checkout counters, stretching to the end of the aisle.

Elderly women crowded into the promotional area to snap up boxes of salt and vinegar, while young people held up their Transformers tickets to exchange for 6-yuan coupons. The entire market was engulfed in a collective, hysterical consumer frenzy.

Moviegoers shuttled between different theaters, comparing the metallic feel of *Transformers* with the mechanical romance of *Transformers*, while shopping receipts piled up on social media. This war sparked by ticket prices is magically reshaping everyone's lifestyle...

While financial giants are battling it out behind the scenes, ordinary people in the public eye are greedily consuming every drop of honey bestowed upon them by the times, enjoying this era!

……

Looking at the chaotic scene unfolding before my eyes!

Countless people realized that the war ignited by Zhou Yang had forced countless related industries to cut their losses in order to survive.

In this frenzied business war, some ruthlessly seized market share, some enjoyed the dividends bestowed by the times, and others expressed their helplessness.
Some people, however, felt the malice of this era towards them!

Those most affected are the small and medium-sized shopping malls.

In this capital-driven battle, they watched helplessly as their customer traffic was completely siphoned away, leaving them with only one option!

To survive, they have no choice but to offer discounts and are forced to join the price war!
However, without strong capital backing, they have no idea when this battle will end, or how long they can maintain the price reduction.
A grain of sand in the era becomes an insurmountable mountain when it falls on the heads of these small and medium-sized shopping malls.

In this frenzy of capital, they are destined to face numerous difficulties.
..............................

From the 17th to the early morning of the 19th!
With the full rollout of "Transformers" in new theaters, its screening rate soared to 65%. Coupled with crazy promotions such as "buy a ticket and win a car" and "39 yuan special coupon", its box office bucked the trend and surged for two consecutive days, earning 4500 million and 4600 million yuan respectively, setting a new daily box office record!

[Tianyu] and major cinemas released the posters immediately. The total box office in four days exceeded 1.72 million RMB, creating a new chapter in the history of Chinese film industry!

However, thanks to its stable audience loyalty and the advantage of a 15 yuan ticket price, Transformers has maintained a box office of 1800 million yuan, and its number of viewers has even slightly surpassed that of Transformers, leaving the market astonished!

Less than half an hour after Tianyu Media and major cinemas announced the box office success of "Transformers" at 1.72 million yuan, Zhou Yang's camp launched a counterattack with lightning speed and a series of combined punches!
[Only Tianyu Media released the poster in less than 10 minutes!]

Social media platforms such as [Movie House] and [QuickBlog] immediately released the daily box office data for "Transformers": 7085 million RMB in box office revenue, with nearly 470 million viewers, which also completely set a historical record!
[XuanShi Entertainment] Less than half an hour after announcing the four-day box office figures for "Transformers," partner [XuanShi Toys] posted an explosive poster on their official website—"Mechanical Heart" figurines and toys sold a whopping 6000 million RMB in just four days!

The accompanying picture shows a mountain of empty packaging boxes in a warehouse, with the caption "Our family is so enthusiastic, the production line is smoking."

The comment section was instantly flooded with cries of "Zhou Yang, pay me back for my tears!" Some people posted screenshots of their orders, lamenting, "What happened to the promised 1000 yuan discount? Why couldn't I get it?!"

Meanwhile, the official Weibo account of Lingjiang Motorcycles released a video of the assembly line in the workshop: 2000 pink custom-made motorcycles were being assembled overnight, with the "First Generation Steel Heart" laser emblem on the front of the motorcycles flashing blue light.

The tagline "She's always waiting for you" paired with the movie line "Detected the best heat dissipation conductor" instantly ignited the otaku community.

Even more outrageous, Qinzhou Auto seized the opportunity to launch a "Mechanical Romance" co-branded product. The advertisement featured transformation scenes that perfectly recreated famous movie moments. Even instant noodles and beverages across the country started printing the same series as those in Transformers...

You're saying cars and movies aren't closely related?

Is it unrelated to anything else?
It doesn't matter anyway, since they're all products of Zhou Yang's companies. The copyright fees are shared by everyone, so we can use them however we want. Even if we don't want to associate with them, so what?

It doesn't matter!
Did Zhou Yang ask them for copyright fees?

..............................

At 8:00 AM on the 19th.

In the conference room of [Hongsheng Capital].

Dozens of capital representatives from various industries were sitting in the conference room.

The finance department quietly placed the data on the table.

Transformers grossed 7000 million yuan in four days, but related merchandise revenue exceeded 2 million yuan!
Their profits, generated through copyright revenue sharing and online store collaborations, are actually 30% higher than those of "Transformers"!

Chen Lei stared at the bill for "Transformers".

Of the $1.72 million in box office revenue, 35% goes to Hollywood. After deducting theater subsidies and promotional expenses, the film's box office revenue alone will result in a net loss of $4000 million.

While Transformers merchandise also sold like hotcakes, a cut of every single item went to Hasbro, the company behind Transformers…

This battle!
It was especially tragic for them!
but!
They had no choice but to take over the entire Chinese market...

"Transformers must break records! If you don't have enough funding, we'll support you!"

"We cannot lose the Chinese market!"

"We absolutely cannot lose it!"

A cold voice came from the other end of the phone!

After finishing the call, Chen Lei nodded, but his eyes looked somewhat tired...

And at this moment...

The door opened.

The secretary came over in a low voice to remind her.

"The premiere of 'Deformed Steel Bar' is about to begin. Would you like to send someone to check it out...?"

"..."

(End of this chapter)