Chapter 514 Overseas Issuance Market, Losing Money and Making Money
Limited by the broadcast method, the number of episodes broadcast by TV stations every day is fixed.
Domestic satellite TV usually broadcasts two episodes every day.
The video website is different, you can play it in any way.
You can broadcast as many episodes as you want in a day, and you can play a lot of tricks.
If "Dark Glory" becomes a star, for the sake of Donghai Satellite TV, it must follow the satellite TV broadcast schedule.
In terms of broadcast mode, there will indeed be great restrictions.
This is why Fang Xing considered online broadcasting.
What's more, more and more viewers now like to follow dramas on video platforms. After all, they can follow them whenever they want.
You can save a few days and read it all in one go.
This kind of experience cannot be achieved by TV stations.
…
During the meeting of Ark Culture's top management, they discussed an issue.
Do you want to reduce the price to get stars?
Some senior executives believe that earning more or less is a profit, not to mention that the price of 3 million per episode is not low in the TV drama industry.
Even if it drops to 3 million per episode, the total price will still be 48 million.
This is no small amount of money.
However, in the end, Fang Xing decided to broadcast it online.
Since this drama is worth 5 million per episode, the price should not be reduced.
If it is not broadcast on TV stations, viewers will naturally flock to video websites.
In this way, the share of revenue obtained from video websites will naturally be higher.
In fact, the income will not be much lower than the previous star.
After the decision was made, Ark Culture began arranging for "Dark Glory" to be released on major video websites at selected dates.
The launch date has not yet been determined because overseas channels have not yet been finalized.
The marketing department of Ark Culture has established a new overseas marketing team.
At present, Ark Culture does not have the ability to distribute overseas, so it must cooperate with overseas distribution companies.
The overseas marketing team is responsible for this work.
Therefore, the marketing department now has two directors.
The new director is named Pang Yishan. He was hired by a headhunting company at a high price. He has experience in overseas distribution of film and television dramas and has cooperated with multiple overseas distribution channels.
However, his previous company was not large in scale and mainly distributed some low-priced domestic TV series in Southeast Asia.
His most successful collaboration should be regarded as putting an ancient puppet on Netflix.
This ancient puppet didn't do well on Netflix, but it did make money.
Of course, Pang Yishan is in charge of overseas distribution. Whether the TV series is popular or not has little to do with him.
He had already reached the second-in-command position in his previous company, but it was true that the company had little room for development.
So, when a headhunting company approached him, it said that Ark Culture was looking for a team with overseas publishing experience.
He was immediately moved.
What kind of company is Ark Culture?
That is an industry giant that has swept across the three fields of film, television and music.
What’s even more frightening is that this company has already reached this level in less than four years since its establishment.
Ark culture needs content and funds.
This kind of company wants to poach overseas distribution teams, which is obviously a big move.
Therefore, as soon as Pang Yishan heard about this opportunity, he went to Ark Culture to meet Fang Xing in person, and after handing over the work of the original company, he brought his team to join him.
…
Regular work meeting.
Fang Xing looked at the new director of the marketing department and asked, "Director Pang, how are the overseas distribution talks going?"
Pang Yishan had already made preparations, opened the work diary in front of him, and replied: "We are currently in contact with two overseas distribution companies, one of which is Netflix and the other is HBO.
"At present, the cooperation models proposed by the two companies are somewhat different.
"Hbo wants to buy out our drama, and after buying it out, it will be up to them to decide when to air it, whether to re-edit it, and whether to dub it."
He paused and then said: "The price offered by HBO is 70,000 dollars per episode."
When this price was announced, the company executives present frowned and whispered.
The price of 70,000 knives, converted into domestic currency, is about 500,000 per episode.
This price is much lower than the price of domestic TV channels, even only one-tenth.
Pang Yishan explained: “If you know about overseas issuance, you will know that the price of overseas issuance is like this.
"After all, TV dramas shot in China are mainly distributed domestically, and the income from overseas distribution is more profitable.
"The price of 500,000 per episode is not an arbitrary price set by HBO.
"They calculated it based on the total investment in the TV series. The price of $70,000 is about one-tenth of the filming cost.
"Don't think this price is too low. So far, the highest record for domestic TV series distributed overseas is 100,000 dollars per episode.
“Moreover, this is still the highest record, not the norm.
"If it is released in Southeast Asia, the price can be as low as a few hundred dollars per episode.
"Yes, you heard it right, the low price is only a few hundred dollars per episode.
"So, the price of $70,000 is only possible because Teacher Song Li has a certain reputation overseas and the quality of the series is good.
"Normally speaking, when HBO buys it back, it will decide whether to dub it in English based on the quality of the series.
"Of course, HBO proposed a buyout, so we don't need to bear the cost of dubbing."
After Pang Yishan finished talking about HBO's quotation, the Ark Culture management present had different expressions.
This price is really...too embarrassing.
The price of one episode is 500,000 Chinese coins, and the total price is only 8 million.
Compared with domestic prices that can easily reach hundreds of millions, they are like mosquitoes.
Of course, Fang Xing knew early on that overseas distribution was not that easy.
So I was mentally prepared for it, but I was still a little surprised when I heard this quote.
Pang Yishan could see what the company executives present were thinking.
He sighed and said: "Dear bosses, I have been doing overseas issuance for more than ten years, and the market situation is like this.
"I know that our company can earn hundreds of millions in revenue from any domestic drama produced, so we don't pay attention to overseas copyright fees at all.
“Actually, the current purpose of domestic film and television companies’ overseas distribution is not to make money, but more of a promotional tool.
"When a certain TV series is distributed overseas and the news is transferred to China, it will become an honor for the film and television company.
“If you want to make a lot of money through overseas distribution, there are currently no successful cases in China.
“Basically, it’s all about losing money and making noise.
"Companies that specialize in overseas issuance mainly rely on Southeast Asia to make money, relying on small profits but quick turnover."
Regarding overseas distribution, it is indeed mainly used for bragging in China, and it is true that there is no money to be made.
Fang Xing also understood something, so he didn't care, and then asked: "What about Netflix? How did you talk about it?"
Pang Yishan turned to the next page and continued to report: "Netflix has given two cooperation plans. The first one is also a buyout, but the price is lower than HBO, only 50,000 US dollars per episode.
"However, I flew to negotiate in person, and Netflix agreed to redo the English dubbing, and we don't need to bear the cost."
This time the price was lower, but Fang Xing still asked patiently: "What about the second option?"
Pang Yishan replied: "That is the streaming media bill sharing model, but if we choose this option, Netflix requires us to bear the cost of English dubbing, and we must recover the publicity and distribution costs before dividing the bill."
When this plan was announced, the company executives present began to discuss it in low voices.
"With this plan, not only will we not make any money, we will even lose money."
The second option is the streaming media splitting model, which is the splitting model of many video websites now.
There is nothing wrong with this mode itself, but since it is released overseas, it needs to be dubbed in English.
To perform English dubbing, you need to hire dubbing actors, which costs money.
In addition, overseas distribution also requires publicity costs.
If it is a buyout plan, the English dubbing, publicity and distribution costs will all be borne by Netflix or HBO.
Ark Culture only gets the copyright fee, which is not much, but it is considered extra money.
However, if you choose the streaming media split model, you will have to bear the cost of English dubbing and overseas promotion.
This expenditure may be tens of millions. The specific amount depends on the intensity of publicity.
If it is a buyout plan, the copyright fee will only be 8 million.
If you choose the split-account model, you will have to invest tens of millions.
Will this pay for itself?
…
After Fang Xing thought about it carefully, he asked: "If we do English dubbing, can we find someone to monitor the progress?"
Pang Yishan replied: "It's not difficult to find people, as long as they are willing to pay. I can also fly over in person to keep an eye on Xuanfa."
After receiving a positive answer, Fang Xing decided: "Then choose the split account model. We will be responsible for the cost of dubbing and publicity, and hire a team to monitor the progress of the project."
The company executives present did not express any objection to this decision.
Although many senior executives feel that investing so much money in overseas issuance may not recoup the cost.
However, "Dark Glory" has signed contracts with major video websites, and commercials are also being discussed.
Moreover, the total investment in this drama is only 90 million, so recovering the cost will definitely not be a problem.
Domestic income can completely cover the cost of overseas issuance, so it is just a matter of making more or less.
After the overseas distribution was finalized, the English dubbing was also carried out non-stop.
…
After everything is ready, "Dark Glory" is scheduled to be broadcast globally on July 28th.
Ark Culture, Lijing Culture, Guangguang Entertainment and other official accounts announced at the same time, and @the entire cast and crew of the drama.
As soon as this Weibo post was posted, it immediately aroused public opinion on the Internet and attracted countless entertainment media to forward it.
Entertainment media also dug into this news:
[According to people familiar with the matter, "Dark Glory" has been confirmed to be launched on Netflix and will be distributed overseas simultaneously. ]
Originally, "Nowhere to Hide" had just been officially announced a few days ago, and because of Jia Haochen's traffic, it had been on the hot search list for several days in a row.
As soon as "Dark Glory" was officially announced, it immediately shot up the hot search list, knocking out Jia Haochen's hot search list.
Related topics immediately attracted the attention of netizens:
[It’s really been released overseas, which is a bit awesome. Wasn’t it said a few days ago that “Dark Glory” was not successful at the time of its release? Why was it suddenly released overseas? 】
[That’s awesome. Fang Xing is not enough to make trouble in domestic entertainment, but he also extends his hands overseas. What kind of trouble is this? 】
Among the many surprised comments, there are also some strange voices from traffic fans:
[You can still brag about fx, but your awesomeness has been blown abroad.]
【What the hell is fx?】
[The first letter of someone’s name.]
[Can you speak human language properly? You have to use letters, which is really annoying.]
Some traffic fans have begun to uncover the inside story of overseas distribution:
[What age are we in, and there are still film and television companies bragging about overseas distribution? It makes me laugh. 】
[Is there anyone who doesn’t know that overseas distribution is not profitable at all?]
[It’s so funny, publishing overseas is the same as publishing a book at your own expense. You just spend money to brag.]
[It’s not like there are no TV dramas in China that have been distributed overseas. They are basically watched in Southeast Asia and some Chinese regions abroad. 】
[Let me tell you some popular science. The current record for the overseas distribution price of a domestic TV series is 100,000 U.S. dollars per episode. Even if calculated based on the highest price, it is only 10 million Chinese dollars. It is roughly equivalent to two and a half episodes of "Nowhere to Hide"
Price, this can also be used to brag.]
[This is calculated based on the highest price. If calculated based on the average price, it would be terrible, 2,000 U.S. dollars per episode. Guess what the total price is? A total of 32,000 U.S. dollars, 224,000 Chinese coins. It is simply awesome.]
[A certain party released a new drama overseas and earned 220,000 Chinese coins.]
It took less than three hours after the news of the overseas release of "Dark Glory" came out.
The entire internet was flooded with this comment:
[Fang Xing’s new drama released overseas, earning 220,000 yuan]
Some of them are fans of Jia Haochen, and some people who really have fun follow them.
Among the ridicule from many netizens, there are also some more pertinent comments:
[The market for overseas distribution is like this, what’s so funny about it? Moreover, no one who commented knows the inside story. The overseas distribution of Fang Xing’s new drama is not selling copyright at all, but a streaming media account sharing model. In other words, it is not necessarily
You can make money, you may even lose money.】
[Although it may lose money, this is a big step for domestic film and television companies to take overseas. Personally, this is an admirable thing. 】
[Yes, sooner or later, someone has to take this step. On the contrary, I hope that Ark Culture can succeed, at least to change the current difficulties faced by domestic film and television companies in overseas distribution. 】
[It is indeed a good thing. Ark Culture uses its own money to find a way out for overseas distribution for the entire industry, but there are people who are badmouthing it. The domestic entertainment environment is really sad!]
[This is the progress of the entire industry, and those who criticize it are a bit short-sighted.]
…
Amid heated discussions across the Internet, the time gradually came to July 20th.
This is the launch date of "Nowhere to Hide".
Because "Nowhere to Hide" stars Deng Huiling and "The Youngest Mr. 5 Billion" Jia Haochen.
We need strength and strength, we need traffic and flow.
Therefore, this drama became popular before it was aired. Tianji Film and Television and Shengqi Entertainment also spent a lot of money on promotions to build momentum for this drama.
As early as a week ago, the banner "Nowhere to Hide" appeared on the homepages of major video websites.
Even the trailer has been viewed over 100 million times.
The popularity is so high that it can be called the most popular TV series this year.
Prime time in the evening.
"Nowhere to Hide" is broadcast on Xiangjiang Satellite TV and Kyoto Satellite TV.
The top executives of major TV stations are all paying attention to the show's launch results.
Judging from the current momentum, "Nowhere to Hide" is likely to dominate the entire summer season.
The top management of each major TV station needs to decide the broadcast plan of the summer TV series based on the show's opening ratings.
