"Hahahaha. So the program previews were all true. I've only watched for half an hour and I can't stop laughing."
"No, no, no, the preview doesn't show even a tenth of The Voice's content. Keep watching, brother, there's a surprise at the end."
"Awesome! I must declare that The Voice of America is absolutely the best music variety show I've ever seen. It incorporates all fresh elements. Here you can find superstar celebrities, professional and surprising contestants, and this novel selection method. This is the variety show format of the new era!"
"Hahaha, I love how the four of them joke around. In other shows, in talk shows, you can at most see one person telling jokes, but here you can see four people interacting and telling jokes. It's so funny!"
"Brothers, I have a hunch that The Voice will start a trend. Its team rules and the contestants' reverse selection rules are truly a great innovation, bringing joy that no other music variety show can provide."
"I think you shouldn't just focus on the humor. Although I was also laughing out loud, don't you think the contestants' level is very high?"
"Agreed! I heard that in order to compete with American Idol, The Voice specifically innovated a completely different selection method. The show doesn't do open auditions; instead, the producers invite contestants nationwide, so making it to the show already represents a certain level of skill."
"I like Palix. He's really handsome and sings well too."
"Bruno Mars is the best!"
"Bruno Mars is too short, but I admit his performance was brilliant, but still too short!"
"Wait, am I the only one who likes the host? James Corden adds a lot to The Voice. It turns out he's not only good at acting but also a great host!"
"Do you think the Fox people and the American Idol production team also bought Lionheart Network memberships? Are they watching the show too?"
"Hands up! I'm an employee of the American Idol production team. This show is f*cking amazing, we're definitely going to lose!"
"Brother, are you for real? Was Justin Timberlake's part cut? Can you spill the beans? If that idiot is still in, I'm not watching."
"Sorry, I can't reveal that. Anyway, you'll know when it airs tonight. Our show's motto is to trick as many as we can. I can't take it anymore, I need to watch the next episode quickly."
"Next episode +1!"
"Next episode +2!"
"Next episode +3!"
Lionheart Network launched with a video comment function. This allows for collecting audience feedback, which is beneficial for website improvements.
Looking at the audience comments below The Voice, Carol couldn't help but smile. It was almost universally positive, praising the show for being excellent and confirming that the membership fee was well spent.
"Boss, look at the audience's reaction. Even if it's just The Voice, it's enough for them to willingly pay. Not to mention we have other attractions."
Eric nodded, also very satisfied, though he found the comments a bit unfamiliar. In his previous life, he was used to browsing on Bilibili and watching bullet comments. Unless there were resources in the comment section, he generally wouldn't scroll through video comments.
He had actually considered whether to implement bullet comment functions on YouTube and Lionheart Network, but after consideration, he gave up. He couldn't let his small personal preference affect the overall picture.
English is not like Chinese characters; sometimes a sentence can be quite long, which isn't very suitable for bullet comments.
In the future, both websites will go global, and the world is not just English, which is also a problem.
Moreover, bullet comment culture is still relatively a subculture. Even a decade later, it hasn't entered the mainstream cultural circle, let alone now.
Most importantly, many people believe that bullet comments affect the viewing experience, especially dense bullet comments that block the screen. What am I supposed to watch?
Like YouTube before his transmigration, the official platform never provided a bullet comment function. To use it, one could only rely on third-party plugins. The world's number one website has developed for so many years without adopting this function, so there must be a reason.
In 2004, the United States didn't even have movie subtitles, let alone the more elaborate bullet comments.
"Robert, compile some statistics for me. I want to know how many people chose to binge-watch new shows like The Voice and house of cards on the first day of launch. Also, calculate the completion rate of the first episode and announce it publicly."
"Alright, Boss!"
Robert Millen had also watched Eric's interview a few days ago, where he introduced the concept of binge-watching. If the data was good enough, he would definitely use it to slap those guys in the face.
Eric and Carol didn't leave until the evening.
He had already received the data for Lionheart Network's first 10 hours online, and the results were pleasing. The market's acceptance and capacity for new things were still very high.
In 10 hours, it accumulated 9 million members, almost 1 million new members per hour.
Among them, about 800,000 were free users, but as long as they experienced this novel convenience, most of them would definitely become paying users next month. Even if they topped up 6.99 US dollars to become a basic member, it would still be a source of income.
Basic members accounted for about 2 million, with the percentage slightly increasing, but as long as it didn't reach half, it was within an acceptable range.
Standard members were still the main force, with 5.2 million people choosing to top up 9.99 US dollars.
Is it expensive? In fact, it's just the price of two hamburgers and a cup of cola, but it allows you to enjoy a month of visual and spiritual services.
Eric and Robert both believed that a portion of these people would convert to premium members next month to enjoy more privileges.
There were 1 million premium members, nothing much to say, just keep them steady.
The 9 million data is absolutely terrifying. You have to know that Lionheart Network is not Facebook or YouTube; it's a paid service.
Paid and free are completely different concepts, inherently having a barrier to entry.
Carol held a pen and scribbled calculations in her notebook: "Boss, I've calculated that Lionheart Network earned us 80 million US dollars in membership fees in 10 hours."
Eric nodded: "Hmm, a bit low, but it doesn't matter. We're unique in the market, with no competitors. My goal is to attract at least 60% of United States households."
"This will be a long process, becoming more difficult later on, possibly taking one, two, or even more years. But if it can be achieved, calculating one member per four-person household, it would be equivalent to at least 42 million members."
Carol wrote down the numbers on paper to calculate: "Boss, if we reach that data, we could generate about 300 million US dollars in membership fees monthly."
"Based on the current market situation, that's enough to support the simultaneous production of twenty to thirty TV dramas with normal investment amounts."
"However, for a high-production variety show like The Voice, or a premium drama like the walking dead, which costs thirty to forty million US dollars per season, it's clearly not enough."
"As for advertising, I think businesses will carefully consider the proportion of low-tier users before placing ads. If the current ratio of around 20% remains, it will still have a significant impact."
As she spoke, she poked her pen tip hard, her voice a little troubled: "We hope for no low-tier members, but low-tier members can bring in more advertising revenue. These two data points are inherently contradictory."
Eric smiled: "No worries, for this kind of income, excellent variety shows are enough to earn it back."
"Huh? Boss, are you talking about product placement? But I didn't see any product placement in The Voice."
"Not now, but there will be soon."
Eric naturally understood what Carol was considering.
The production cost of The Voice exceeded 70 million US dollars, which would still be considered a high standard even a decade later.
Among them, Michael even took a pay cut, and Janet Jackson also lowered her salary out of respect for her brother.
But even so, the money spent on the four in the first season exceeded 40 million US dollars, and this amount would definitely increase in the second season.
MGM and Meiyi Records made such a big investment to establish Lionheart Network's reputation. Playing every variety show this way would be suicidal.
For Lionheart Network in its early stages, producing two or three such high-quality variety shows a year would be the limit, and the same applies to premium dramas.
In Lionheart Network's plan, most variety shows, such as the currently in-production 'Traveling with Paris Hilton,' are very inexpensive.
The cost of one episode does not exceed 1.5 million US dollars, usually controlled between 1 million and 1.2 million. The first season has a total of 10 episodes, costing a little over 10 million to complete.
The main reason is that there are no big stars involved. Although Paris Hilton is a socialite, in the film and television industry, a socialite doesn't command high fees.
She hasn't even filmed the most popular 'House of Wax' yet, so her pay is very low. If Eric was willing to sacrifice a bit and sleep with her a few times, he might even be able to haggle the price down further.
There are also 'Forged in Fire,' 'Alone,' 'American Ninja Warrior,' 'Take Me Out,' etc., none of which require big-name stars. One host can handle it, and 'Alone' even saves on a host.
These variety shows don't require large investments but can bring extremely high returns, because variety shows have a characteristic that film and television dramas do not possess: advertising sponsorship and product placement.
Standard members and premium members are indeed ad-free, but this ad-free refers to the stages before, during, and after viewing, and does not include sponsorships and product placements.
As long as you don't make it too obvious, like the infamous 'Ace vs. Ace' by Wu Tong, a well-known'stitching master' in the industry before his transmigration, where celebrities and contestants from food, clothing, and daily necessities to on-site decorations are all product placements to a disgusting degree, then the audience won't care too much about these minor details.
His phone screen suddenly lit up with a text message from Liu Yifei, asking if he was available.
He looked down at the time; it was almost 9 o'clock.
Eric couldn't help but wonder, "What does a call at this time mean? Is she worried I'm too stressed lately and wants to offer herself to help me relax?"
Night always allows evil thoughts to sprout faster. He shook his head and dialed the number; it connected instantly.
"What's wrong, Crystal?"
"Eric, are you okay? I know you must be very busy lately."
"You've been following the news?"
"Of course I follow it, and my mom and aunt, they both care about you a lot."
Eric's mouth curled into a sneer. Liu Xiaoli's concern for him was nothing more than worrying that her backing was gone and she wouldn't be able to establish herself in Hollywood. Zhou Wenqiong was definitely worried about further complications with the theater.
"Then thank them for me. What do you need?"
"It's about China. supernatural has started its promotion, and they want me to go back."
"Then go. This is MGM's first TV series in the mainland, and it really needs to gain recognition. That's your home turf, and you're much more famous than the two male leads."
Liu Yifei giggled a few times: "Okay, my part in the hunger games has already wrapped up, so it's fine to leave for a while."
At this point, Eric immediately understood. This little girl was testing him, trying to find out if there were any new roles. It was probably at Liu Xiaoli's instigation.
Seeing that Eric didn't speak, Liu Yifei continued, "Oh, Eric, do you remember that show I mentioned a while ago? A company in mainland China wants to invite me to play the female lead."
"It's that game-adapted TV series, right?"
"Yes, you have a great memory. Actually, I've already declined, but the other party hasn't given up and said they could wait for my schedule. Now they've invited me again. What do you think I should do? Should I accept it? Will accepting it affect my development here in Hollywood?"
chinese paladin, the white moonlight of countless people's childhoods, the drama that truly established Liu Yifei's status.
If she had only appeared in the story of a noble family, the return of the condor heroes, and demi-gods and semi-devils, her 'HP bar' would definitely not be so exaggeratedly thick.
Her mid-to-late career development was a disaster. Numerous TV series and movies flopped, and her acting skills hadn't improved much in over a decade, yet she still commanded countless loyal fans, all thanks to chinese paladin.
When the Chinese market explodes in a few years, MGM will definitely want a big piece of the pie, and Liu Yifei will be a trump card in his hand then.
The more popular she is now, the more beneficial it will be for the future development of both the company and her as an individual. So, since Tangren is so sincere, taking the role is a good choice.
"Crystal, what are your thoughts? I'd like to hear your opinion."
"My thoughts? I... I don't have any thoughts. My mom always chose my roles before. She told me to ask for your opinion."
"What conditions did that company offer?"
"The conditions are pretty good, especially after I came to Hollywood to develop, Tangren significantly increased the treatment (treatment/compensation)."
"This drama was originally supposed to have two female leads, but they promised to add more scenes for me. In short, I would be the absolute female lead."
"What about the time? How long is it expected to shoot?"
"A month and a half. My scenes will be prioritized."
"Then take it. It will help consolidate your popularity in China and prepare for the future."
"Okay, if you say take it, I'll take it. I'll listen to you."
After hanging up the phone, Eric suddenly burst out laughing. Under the butterfly effect, he wondered how many scenes Lin Yueru would have left. Maybe she would share the second female lead role with Anu, just like Anu.
Carol secretly watched through the rearview mirror. She rarely saw Eric speak so gently.
"Hmph! It must be some little slut again!"
Muttering to herself, Carol couldn't help but glance down at her own ample breasts. They were still so beautiful, but Eric had been staring at them less often lately.
"Am I dressed too conservatively? The weather is getting warmer, so I have a reason to dress more freely."