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East Coast night falls, ABC headquarters on 66th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
As the time approached eight o'clock, Katzenberg, Tom Murphy, Robert Iger and other executives from the Firefly Group and ABC Television Network gathered in a conference room in the ABC headquarters building. Except for these heavyweight executives, directly Eric's former assistant Allen Fissman, who was in charge of the "Survivor" reality show project, Mark Burnett, the director of "Survivor", Charlie Parsons, the creator of "Survivor" and other program creators also all participated in the show. in this meeting room.
The last few minutes of the "ABC World News" program was playing on the large-screen color TV in the meeting room. People with different thoughts were not interested in talking, and their eyes were all focused on the TV screen, waiting for the official broadcast of "Survivor" at eight o'clock. out, and subsequent ratings information.
Time passed by, and Tom Murphy, who was sitting next to Katzenberg, couldn't help but look at the prime-time program list of major TV networks in his hand again.
Both NBC's "Seinfeld" and FOX's "X-Files" have been marked with eye-catching red stars. "Seinfeld" will air the second episode of the third season tonight. "Seinfeld," the "Friends" sitcom, racked up 21 million viewers last week in its opening episode. Although the first episode of FOX's "X-Files" and "Survivor" will be aired at the same time tonight, the average viewership of "X-Files" last season also reached 19 million. As a popular science fiction drama with many loyal fans, the new season When it premiered, 20 million viewers must be no problem.
Even though another competitor, CBS, has no ratings competitor, a brand-new reality show that has never appeared in the history of American TV has been attacked by two powerful TV dramas at the same time. As the CEO of ABC, even after experiencing After years of ups and downs, the 70-year-old Tom Murphy was still full of worries. He rubbed his fingers on the program list for a moment, and pressed lightly on "X-Files". Tom Murphy couldn't help complaining to Eric, why he only got "Friends" back, and left the two programs "Millionaire" and "X-Files" to FOX, resulting in ABC's new program. To be sniped by FOX TV station.
In the heart of conservative Tom Murphy. The program format of "Survivor" also implies a very large risk.
This reality show focuses on unscripted reality. Although many details can be arranged by the production team, but under the lure of a huge bonus of 1 million US dollars, the sixteen contestants really did everything without any rehearsal. Compete in the poles. In addition to the relatively routine physical competitions arranged by the program group, there are also undisguised quarrels, cliques and intrigues among the contestants.
This is simply a display of the ugliness of human nature in it.
Tom Murphy, who has been in the media industry for most of his life, knows it well. [ㄨ]The audience's mind is very elusive. The undisguised display of humanity in "Survivor" is likely to cause two very extreme results. A program format full of suspense and drama allows the audience to see Selfish desires are satisfied, but in Tom Murphy's view, although this kind of result will not make the show's results look too ugly, it will not necessarily bring explosive ratings. Another kind of embarrassing result is because of this This undisguised display of humanity aroused strong resentment from the audience. It even caused the program to be boycotted.
"ABC World News" ended soon. After a short advertisement, accompanied by the indigenous percussion music full of vast and simple atmosphere, the camera mounted on the helicopter flew over the beautiful Tiga Island in Malaysia. The sound of the music was slightly lowered, and the camera Turning to a fishing boat, in a somewhat chaotic scene, the two teams piled up various materials on the bamboo raft, and then collectively swam towards Tiga Island. The host on the fishing boat quickly explained the various aspects of "Survivor". rules of the game.
After being temporarily attracted by the beautiful landscape paintings of blue sky, white clouds, blue sea and jungle. Katzenberg in the conference room couldn't help but glance at the door of the conference room.
Ten minutes, only ten minutes, the staff waiting in the office can obtain preliminary rating data from Nielsen market research company.
Although it is only five o'clock in the afternoon on the west coast of the United States, the golden hour there has not yet arrived. But after years of data research experience accumulation. By installing ratings measuring instruments in tens of thousands of representative sample households, Nielsen can not only monitor the ratings in real time to the minute, but also use the ratings of only a part of the sample households when different time zones cannot be synchronized. With data collection, it is possible to more accurately count the national ratings of a program.
Compared with the various worries and expectations of the people at the ABC headquarters, the manor in East Hampton, Long Island. The atmosphere in the living room of the villa was quite warm. The family had just had dinner, and Eric, Virginia, and Joanna each held a little guy and sat on the large multi-person sofa. Originally wanted to squeeze together to 'join in the fun', but was pulled up by her sister and thrown on the sofa next to her, Eva Pakula held a bag of potato chips in her hand, smacking her lips from time to time to tease Eric with her father in her arms The little nephew who gnawed his fingers. Hawaii sat obediently on her mother's lap, staring at the TV screen without blinking, looking very quiet. Playing too crazy in the kindergarten during the day, Emma, who was hugged by Virginia, had already narrowed her eyes.
The family chatted, and with the end of "ABC World News", the picturesque Tega Island in Malaysia soon appeared on the TV screen.
Eva, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa carelessly, couldn't help admiring at first: "It's so beautiful, where is this?"
Both Joanna and Virginia looked at Eric.
Although Eric did not participate in the specific production of "Survivor", he still knows the relevant information well. He introduced: "This is Tiga Island in Malaysia. The virgin forest has never been developed. Of course it is very beautiful."
Eva immediately looked at Joanna expectantly: "Sister, why don't you take Xia Xia to travel here next time..." Hehe smirked twice, and Eva added: "...by the way, take me along."
Joanna rolled her eyes and ignored the little girl's words.
Eric shook his head and said, "This is not a good place for tourism. Although it looks beautiful, it is actually a snake island. There are no less than ten kinds of deadly poisonous snakes in it. Of course, you can go to other places that have been developed. Island travel, but you can go by yourself, don't bring your sister and Xia Xia."
Eva curled her lips: "I don't have that much money for overseas travel. My sister doesn't even give me living expenses now, and you won't let me participate in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Otherwise, I can earn a little more..."
Joanna glared at her sister: "Eva, shut up."
Eva shrank her neck immediately, so she didn't continue.
Eric shook his head and smiled and explained: "You have only received some simple modeling training, and it's okay to be an ordinary catwalk and graphic model. Participating in such a top-level big show, at your level, will not increase your popularity by then, but will You will be ridiculed by the media. Of course, if you are not afraid. I can temporarily stuff you in."
Eva stuck out her tongue, turned to look at the TV, but never mentioned the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
After Eric finished speaking, he tilted his head to Joanna's ear and asked, "Why don't you even give Aiwa your living expenses?"
Joanna explained softly: "I have given her everything I can give her. Eva is not a child, she has to support herself."
Eric nodded and didn't say anything else. He realized that Westerners always pursue individual independence. Although Joanna cared for this little girl, she obviously didn't intend to let Ava parasitize her.
The nervous Eva also didn't struggle with the problem just now. Attention was quickly drawn to the TV program again. After listening to the background introduction of the 16 contestants from all walks of life, he immediately pointed to the burly former SEAL member in one group and said: "I I think this guy can definitely become the champion, this is a special soldier, and there is no problem in surviving in the wild, which is a bit unfair to other team members."
Eric looked at Joanna and Virginia: "Do you think so too?"
Joanna smiled and didn't answer.
Virginia said: "I think other than the two older players, this guy from the SEAL team is the least likely."
Eva immediately became a little confused.
Eric said to Eva: "Think about the rules the host said just now. Since you, an outsider, said that guy is very likely to win, the other team members must also realize this. For the prize of 1 million US dollars, they There's a very good chance that this guy will be kicked out of the tribal vote."
Although Eva was a bit stubborn, she was not a fool, and immediately understood what Eric meant. Said: "Then... it won't be the weaker one who gets the bonus in the end, right?"
Eric reached out and stuffed the molar stick on the coffee table into the mouth of his precious son who was about to gnaw his left hand and then his right hand, and said, "It is definitely impossible for the weakest to get the bonus, just like what Vicky said just now, for To be able to win the physical level, they will definitely eliminate the weakest person in their group first. But at the same time, the relatively weaker people will unite in order to maintain competitiveness, and crowd out those players who are recognized as the strongest. Of course, Things don’t have to be too absolute. In addition to showing the struggle between man and nature, this program will also test the unpredictable human nature. These people come from all walks of life, with different races, beliefs, occupations, and personalities. , no one can guess their respective thoughts and choices. One of the highlights of this show is here, strong drama and suspense everywhere, and very real."
Eva looked at the TV screen when a group of team members had just landed and had a disagreement over Mr. Huo or building a shed first. With a little cunning in her expression, she looked at Eric and asked treacherously: "What's the matter?" But what about the $1 million bonus, didn't you guys do something in private... umm, did you arrange it, such as an internal order?"
Eric laughed and said: "Many ordinary viewers will definitely have this kind of guess. Of course, the program team will definitely guide the contestants to a certain extent, but the final winners are naturally produced after 39 days of competition. You only see the $1 million bonus, but what you don't know is that the show cost $10 million to produce. As long as the ratings live up to expectations, ABC can make millions from this show every episode Advertisement fees. The inherent risk of the bonus is very high. Once it is exposed and the credibility is lost, there will be no possibility of continuing to produce this program. Thinking about it this way, do you think it is necessary for us to do this kind of thing?"
When Eric was discussing this with the women in the East Hampton Manor, countless families on the east coast who jumped to ABC TV to watch this program on time because of the Firefly Group's spare no efforts in the early stage publicity, were surrounded by the beautiful primitive island of Tiga. While being attracted by the scenery and the novel format of the program, they are also discussing various issues.
At the ABC headquarters in Manhattan, the ten minutes of the show seemed so long. But some are fleeting.
The contestants on the show have spent their first night jerky on Tiga Island, with several mice crawling around in night vision footage, Katzenberg, Tom Murphy, Robert Iger But the others have frequently turned their gazes to the door of the conference room.
When Katzenberg, who was the most impatient, was about to get up and ask himself, there was a knock on the door of the meeting room. A beautiful female staff member in her early thirties walked in with a form.
"Mr. Katzenberg, Mr. Murphy, this is..."
Before the female clerk could finish speaking, Katzenberg, who was sitting outside, snatched the form from her hand and looked at the paper impatiently.
No. 1, "The X-Files". Instant ratings of 22.1 million.
Although some expectations came to naught, this result was also expected.
Tom Murphy, Robert Iger and others also came together at this time, Allen and other main creators could only stay on the periphery anxiously waiting for the big guys to take the initiative to reveal the results, and did not dare to squeeze forward.
Katzenberg looked down quickly.
The second place in the real-time ratings is "Seinfeld", with 19.9 million, which is a slight drop compared to the first episode, which is also very normal.
Continuing to look down anxiously, Katzenberg, Tom Murphy and Robert Iger beside him were slightly relieved.
"Survivor" was lucky to be ranked third, with an instant audience rating of 17.8 million.
Without looking at the follow-up rankings, Katzenberg nodded to Tom Murphy and Robert Eck. The three sat back.
"17.8 million," Katzenberg handed the form to others, and said with no joy or disappointment on his face, "It's a good start, let's wait for the half hour and the whole hour and the ratings of the second episode, but May... the next one will not disappoint."
Most of the people who were a little relaxed when they heard this data, couldn't help thinking about it again.
17.8 million, if it is other new dramas, this rating is definitely very impressive.
However, Firefly Group's early stage promotion of "Survivor" is completely in the same gear as "Friends" that will be broadcast next week.
therefore. This viewership rating is even a bit against the sky for other new dramas, but it can only be regarded as the result of the Firefly Group's early publicity. In order to test the market reaction of "Survivor" as much as possible, this reality show, like many new dramas, adopts a two-episode simulcast mode.
A good start though. But the ratings curve of the show in the next two hours is the key to reflect the true strength of this reality show.
Compared with Katzenberg, who was obviously a little dissatisfied, the creators of the show, such as director Mark Burnett and screenwriter Charlie Parsons, who saw the data on the table, were already a little secretly happy.
For the current four major public television networks, if the number of viewers of a program exceeds 10 million, it can continue to be broadcast, at least not facing the fate of being cut in half in the first season. The current opening ratings of 17.8 million have far exceeded the expectations of Mark Burnett and Charlie Parsons, as long as the subsequent ratings decline is not so miserable. This show has no problem getting ABC's renewal.
Alan, who was airborne by Eric to ABC as the deputy manager of the prime-time program production department and also the producer of "Survivor", saw this data, and immediately became flustered after a moment of relaxation.
Compared with other people, Allen was under the greatest pressure. The failure of "Survivor" did not have much impact on Katzenberg and others, but it was related to his future. As an 'airborne soldier', although he once served as Eric's personal assistant, this layer of aura did not prevent him from being squeezed out by the ABC veterans either explicitly or secretly.
Noticing the expressions of Katzenberg and others, Allen knew very well that they were comparing "Survivor" with "Who Will Be a Millionaire" created by Eric himself, "Who Will Be a Millionaire" "The average ratings of the first season reached an astonishing 29 million, which is against the sky. Under the proper operation of Fox, even after five years, the ratings of this reality show are still around 20 million.
The current opening of "Survivor" can only be regarded as mediocre compared to the amazing "Who Will Be a Millionaire".
However, Allen certainly did not intend to compete with Eric's personally produced program. He only hoped that the ratings of "Survivor" would not drop in the future, even if it remained at around 18 million. Let him stand firmly in his position. But if the ratings drop too sharply in the future, even with Eric as the backer, this failure will make it difficult for him to stay in the position of deputy general manager of ABC's prime-time program production department.
While waiting anxiously, the contestants on the TV screen had already begun to fight each other. Perhaps this kind of scene seemed very novel to many ordinary viewers, but the people in the meeting room of the ABC headquarters did not pay much attention to it.
If possible, many people actually want to suggest that it is better to turn off the TV.
Finally, when the contestants began to participate in the first physical competition, the door of the meeting room was knocked again.
…
*PS: In reality, the number of viewers in the first season of "Who Will Be a Millionaire" is really a staggering 29 million, which is a miracle. In addition, the "Seinfeld" mentioned in this episode had a finale rating of 76 million, which seems to have been seen for a long time, but the global popularity of this sitcom is not as high as "Friends". I just want to explain these things. I have checked most of the data in the book in detail, and there is no random writing. (To be continued.)