The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"Therefore, the TV drama market is becoming more and more prosperous, and the demand for high-quality TV dramas is also very large."

With the widespread use of the internet, many novels already have a high level of popularity, and their adaptation into TV series has been very successful.

Cao Bin said, "President Gu's ability to acquire the novel's film and television rights so early is very forward-thinking."

"Since Manager Cao has also noticed this aspect, wouldn't it be more beneficial for your development to join some large companies and take the lead in acquiring novel copyrights?" Gu Ning asked rhetorically.

"Hoarding copyrights involves an element of gambling; if you can't hoard them in large quantities, it's not very meaningful in practice."

Cao Bin shook his head and said, "I'm just an employee. If the higher-ups don't agree, I can only acquire the copyrights of one or two novels for adaptation and production at most. It's impossible to hoard a large number of them."

In fact, it wasn't just President Gu who noticed this, but almost no one was willing to do so.

Many TV drama production companies believe that even if a TV series adapted from an online novel becomes a hit, it won't necessarily increase the value of the online novel's copyright by much, and tying up a large amount of capital in advance is not worthwhile.

Gu Ning agreed with Cao Bin's words. Before the crackdown on piracy, only LeTV had stockpiled the copyrights to many movies and TV series for online streaming.

Other companies only started purchasing copyrights when they were actively working to combat piracy.

Combating piracy is an inevitable trend, so why didn't those companies stockpile copyrights earlier?

This is not to say that there was a lack of vision, but rather that no one anticipated that smartphones would develop so quickly.

The rapid increase in the price of online streaming rights is not due to the increase in internet users, but rather to the rise of mobile devices.

Without the rapid development of mobile devices, while the price of online streaming copyrights would rise, the increase would not be as rapid.

Acquiring companies ahead of time ties up a lot of capital, which is completely disproportionate to the small increase in price.

The rights to adapt novels into films and television series are also influenced by the development of mobile devices.

Stockpiling in advance might double the value in a few years, but that's just a possibility.

"Manager Cao's philosophy coincides with the company's philosophy. I am very relieved to entrust the TV series production department to you," Gu Ning said with a smile.

Next, Gu Ning and Cao Bin discussed the types of TV dramas.

Cao Bin believes that more period dramas and idol dramas should be filmed.

It must be said that they have a very good eye, as period dramas and idol dramas have always been popular genres.

Especially with period dramas, the government not only issues restrictions on period dramas every few years, but also tightens regulations several times.

At one point, the broadcast of historical dramas, movies, and web series was banned across the entire internet.

Although the complete ban was quickly lifted.

The fundamental reason for the restrictions is that there are too many period dramas.

It also includes many melodramatic dramas and a large number of TV series that distort history.

"The company will be investing in the production of a period drama. If you have any needs, just let Mr. Liu know."

Gu Ning said, "I don't have high expectations for my first TV series, but the TV series production department needs to quickly develop a mature team."

"With President Gu's words, I definitely won't let you down!" Cao Bin said seriously.

"Then I'll wait for Manager Cao's good news."

Gu Ning smiled and said, "Manager Cao, please go ahead and get back to work."

"President Gu, President Liu, I'll be going now."

Cao Bin said goodbye and left the office.

"What does President Gu think of Manager Cao?" Liu Yang asked.

"He's a talented person."

Gu Ning smiled and said, "He knows people at many TV stations, which will make it easier for the company to sell dramas in the future."

"Um."

Liu Yang nodded and said, "President Gu, do you need to hire a secretary?"

Gu Ning, the boss, doesn't even have a secretary; he has to personally pour water for guests when they come.

It just doesn't feel right that he, an employee, is paired with a secretary.

"You usually need to arrange an assistant when you're filming."

"Um."

Zhao Rui pondered for a moment and said, "Secretary, you can have HR arrange it. I'll use this one for now, and I'll find an assistant myself later."

He hires a secretary, but he doesn't keep her with him often. She stays at the company more often to supervise the company and also serves as a bridge between him and the company's management.

If he is not in the company, the company management can directly call him to report on some important matters.

However, for some matters that are not urgent but still require consultation, I can't very well call him.

These kinds of things can be compiled by the secretary and handled in a unified manner when he has time.

Assistants, on the other hand, usually follow you around, running errands and doing odd jobs.

He'll know a lot of his secrets, so I need to choose someone I can trust.

Gu Ning met Song Wan, who was in charge of the artists. She was in her thirties and had an ordinary appearance.

However, they are very skilled in the management and operation of artists.

Gu Ning asked her to talk about her plans for Shu Chang, and what Song Wan said was very much in line with his own ideas.

The specific implementation capability is still uncertain.

Gu Ning did not leave the company until she received a call from President Wang.

Gu Ning got into the car and called Liu Yifei, learning that the two were currently getting beauty treatments. She told Liu Yifei that she had a social engagement that evening, and then drove to the place Mr. Wang had mentioned.

The place Mr. Wang chose is a high-end club that is only open to members and not open to the public.

"Mr. Wang, I'm sorry I'm late."

Gu Ning handed the car keys to the doorman and greeted him with a smile.

"I'm too early."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Gu Ning, President Wang said, "Let's go inside first."

Gu Ning nodded and followed President Wang into the club, and soon entered a suite.

This club is a venue for business negotiations, and all the suites are several hundred square meters in size.

Upon entering, you'll find a large living room with a banquet area and a relaxation area.

"Mr. Gu, please have a seat."

Mr. Wang dismissed the waiter and invited Gu Ning to sit down.

Gu Ning glanced around and said, "Mr. Wang, this is too much of a waste."

"Haha, I'm not qualified to be here."

Mr. Wang smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang chose the location, but he was delayed by some matters and will arrive later."

"Is General Manager Zhang coming?"

Gu Ning was somewhat surprised and asked, "President Wang, could you please tell me the reason why President Zhang wanted to see me?"

"Brother Gu, it's not that I don't want to tell you, but to be honest, I don't know what Mr. Zhang's purpose was in meeting you."

Mr. Wang said, "As you know, Sohu Video is just a subsidiary, and I'm just a vice president."

Mr. Zhang's thoughts are notoriously difficult to fathom, so I didn't feel comfortable asking him. We'll find out the details when we meet him later.

Gu Ning nodded and didn't ask any more questions, then chatted with President Wang.

About half an hour later, Zhang Chaoyang arrived.

Zhang Chaoyang was unremarkable in appearance, dressed in casual clothes, and at first glance looked like an ordinary passerby.

"Mr. Zhang."

President Wang and Gu Ning stood up. He turned to the side, pointed to Gu Ning, and said, "This is President Gu Ning."

"Hello, Mr. Zhang." Gu Ning smiled and extended her hand.

Zhang Chaoyang reached out and shook hands with Gu Ning, smiling as he looked her over.

"I heard that President Gu is young, but I didn't expect him to be this young. He is truly a promising young man."