"Ms. Fang, Phoenix TV and East TV have reached an adjustment agreement with the Recording Association to pay the major record companies a one-time payment of 8 million Hong Kong dollars. What do you think of this matter?"
"Manager Fang, Phoenix TV and East TV Production Company have promised to abide by the Universal Copyright Convention and will not infringe the use of other companies' music works in the future. What does TVB say?"
"Manager Fang, the Recording Association will formally sue TVB for infringement in early January next year. Are you confident that you will win this lawsuit?"
"Ms. Fang..."
In front of the TVB building, reporters surrounded Fang Yihua's car and asked various questions like firing cannonballs through the car windows.
It took Fang Yihua's driver nearly 10 minutes to drive into the garage from the roadside. Fortunately, TVB security guards stopped him, otherwise these reporters would have to follow him into the garage.
Fang Yihua came to her office holding back her anger. Before her butt got hot from sitting, the phone on her desk rang. Fang Yihua pressed the hands-free button and heard a voice coming from inside: "Manager Fang, Chairman
Let you go to her office."
"I know!" Fang Yihua stood up depressedly. She knew why Shao Yifu was looking for her.
It is said that due to the continuous development of Phoenix Channel, coupled with Macau Satellite TV's competition for ratings, TVB's situation this year is not good. In the third quarter, the total ratings of programs have been equal to Phoenix Channel for the first time, and may be surpassed at any time.
.
In the Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant a few months ago, although the limelight was suppressed by Miss Oriental, Miss Hong Kong runner-up Wu Wanfang became famous for promoting the World Cup and performing at the Hong Kong Pavilion of the World Expo, which gave this year's Miss Hong Kong a hard time. It is a pity that Wu Wanfang became famous.
After that, she was surrounded by scandals. Her arrogance became more and more serious. She was so arrogant that she began to disobey the TV station's discipline. Finally, after she refused to appear in a TVB drama on the grounds of illness, she was banned indefinitely by Shao Yifu himself.
The only bright spot among TVB newcomers this year is Wu Wanfang. Once the banning order was issued against her, all the resources spent on her in the past few months were wasted - just sending Wu Wanfang to perform at the Hong Kong Pavilion of the Canadian World Expo, Shao
Kazuo put a lot of thought into it, and even used some official connections in the Hong Kong government.
Now the ratings of "Happy Tonight" are tied with Phoenix Channel's cutting-edge variety shows. If TVB wants to compete with Phoenix Channel for ratings, the only remaining weapon left is "Jin Yong Drama". This is also thanks to
Shao Yifu and Jin Yong have a good personal relationship. The copyright fees for TV series are greatly discounted.
However, Phoenix TV is not a vegetarian. Taking advantage of Gu Long's death, Oriental TV Production Company bought the 20-year TV series copyrights of 14 Gu Long novels. And because the heir to the copyright of Gu Long's novels is unclear, Oriental TV Production Company bought these
The gadgets are simply cheap, and the total cost is less than NT$10 million (a total of HK$1.8 million paid).
By the way, "The Two Prides", which made Tony Leung Chaowei so popular, will definitely not be filmed, because Phoenix TV has bought the 20-year exclusive TV rights in Hong Kong for 14 Gu Long novels.
It is difficult to adapt Gu Long's martial arts novels into TV series. But what is awesome is that East TV Company has a screenwriter named Wen Ruian. The ratings of "The History of Martial Arts", which was broadcast at the end of last year, were even slightly higher than those of TVB's "Flying Fox in the Snow Mountain"
.
Although the average ratings only won two or three points, this is already a remarkable achievement. Because except for the "Chu Liuxiang" series, Gu Long's other novels are far less influential in Hong Kong than Jin Yong's novels and Jin Yong's novels.
Compared with Yong Opera, it has an inherent advantage.
Today's TVB has veterans such as Wang Mingquan and Xie Xian, as well as new-generation stars such as the Five Tiger Generals and Kowloon Girl (who has not yet been officially titled as Kowloon Girl). However, Phoenix TV and East TV also won a lot of votes.
Popular TV star.
The more senior ones include Wan Ziqing, Liu Songren, Pan Zhiwen, Zheng Wenya and Yu Anan. The younger men include Yin Tianzhao, Liming, Jiang Hua and Tang Zhenzong. The women include Chen Xiuwen, Rong Huiwen, Ni Shibei, Mai Cuixian, Ye Yuqing and Qiu Huixin.
It does not include Ho Ka Jin, Mok Shaocong and others who have moved from TV series to the big screen.
As the ratings of Phoenix TV are increasing year by year, the fame of these stars is not weaker than that of the TVB Five and the Nine Dragons Girls, and to a certain extent, they are even better.
For example, Tang Zhenye is one of the Five Tigers of TVB, but his brother Tang Zhenzong is now an actor highly praised by Phoenix TV and East TV.
Fang Yihua walked into Shao Yifu's office and said, "Brother Six, are you looking for me?"
"Sit down," Shao Yifu waved, and after Fang Yihua sat down, he asked, "What's going on with Phoenix TV and East TV Production Company?"
Fang Yihua said: "I only found out this morning and have already sent someone to inquire."
The two discussed the countermeasures. The person sent by Fang Yihua finally came back and went directly to Shao Yifu's office to report the news: "Uncle Six, Manager Fang, the reason why they promised not to infringe the use of other companies' music in the future is because Oriental TV
The production company has a new music director."
Shao Yifu was very curious and asked: "Oh? What ability does that person have that can solve the drama's soundtrack problem as soon as he comes?"
"The man's name is Hu Weili, a very famous composer in mainland China," the reporter reported. "He was personally brought to Dongshi by Kang Jianfei and announced his appointment. After learning that Dongshi and Phoenix TV lacked music, he immediately
He said that all the scores he has created over the past decades will be donated to Dongshi Company free of charge to enrich the music library."
Shao Yifu and Fang Yihua were speechless for a long time. Kang Jianfei got a big deal this time.
"I didn't expect that there would be such a fool in the world. All the creative achievements of decades were donated for free." Fang Yihua said in a sour tone, but she felt regretful in her heart. Because Fang Yihua vaguely remembered that someone mentioned Hu Weili a few days ago.
People, she just casually asked people to test their true talents.
Shao Yifu and Fang Yihua now have a headache. Phoenix TV and East TV are naturally happy to have Hu Weili, but TVB does not know how to deal with the infringement lawsuit.
Now it is impossible to negotiate a settlement privately, because Phoenix TV and East TV will provide the Record Association with a one-time payment of 8 million in copyright fees. This price far exceeds TVB's bottom line, and it is impossible for both parties to reach an agreement.
To put it simply, Phoenix TV and East TV, while resolving copyright disputes and future TV drama soundtrack issues, also cheated TVB by paying high copyright compensation fees. Now TVB is unable to make progress or retreat.
"Get ready for a lawsuit." Shao Yifu sighed. He was prepared to spend 3 to 4 million in legal fees to fight a frivolous lawsuit, rather than be extorted 8 million by the Recording Association.
This is not because Shao Yifu is stingy. He has donated tens of millions of dollars to education in mainland China this year alone. His current unwillingness to spend money is just a matter of business philosophy.
As for the soundtracks of future TVB TV series, don’t use local Hong Kong music. Try to use Japanese, European and American music. There is no way that record companies there will sue.
After Fang Yihua and Shao Yifu discussed the countermeasures, they immediately asked the TV station's full-time lawyer to prepare for a lawsuit. Just after finishing the instructions, someone from the Artists Department suddenly came to report the situation: "Manager Fang, Liang Chaowei refuses to renew his five-year contract.
, no matter how much I try to persuade him, there is no way.”
"This rebel!" Fang Yihua cursed in a low voice. The five TVB tigers joined forces to rebel last year. Andy Lau had only left TVB for a few months. Tony Leung is making trouble here again.
Liang Chaowei is now the head of the wireless station. Naturally, it is impossible to sit back and watch him leave. Fang Yihua asked: "What does he want?"
Artist Kona replied: "Liang Chaowei said that he is only willing to renew his contract for two years and cannot interfere with his filming of movies outside."
"I was very obedient when I first joined the TV station, but now everyone is rebelling," Fang Yihua said in a cold tone, "Promise him!"
The person from the artist department asked again: "Liang Chaowei seems to be pursuing Li Meixian now. Do you want to warn him? It will be bad for his image if this matter is exposed."
"Isn't Liang Chaowei dating Zeng Huaqian? How come he is related to Li Meixian again?" Fang Yihua asked in surprise. Li Meixian is the new star actress that TVB has been promoting after Lan Jieying left. And Liang Chaowei and Zeng Huaqian's relationship has been going on for many years.
It has been known to the public for a long time. If it is revealed that Liang Chaowei has moved on to Li Meixian, it will do great damage to the image of Liang Chaowei and Li Meixian. The audience will regard them as heartless people who have two things and seduces "married women".
Husband's vixen.
Someone from the artist department said: "Liang Chaowei and Zeng Huaqian seem to have had a quarrel and conflict, but they have not completely broken up. Now Liang Chaowei is pursuing Li Meixian."
Fang Yihua thought for a while and said: "Don't talk to Liang Chaowei about this matter. I warned Li Meixian privately that if she falls in love with Liang Chaowei, she will be banned directly!"
"I understand." The man said and exited the office.
Liang Chaowei is a young actor whose contract is about to expire. Naturally, it is not easy for such an actor to give serious warnings, but the TV station can give a lesson and warning to Li Meixian, who is becoming more and more famous.
Fang Yihua was the only one left in the office. After sitting for a while, she felt like her head was going to explode. TVB was now full of all kinds of worries, making Fang Yihua exhausted physically and mentally every day when she came home from work.
Especially the veteran actors in the TV station are all eager to make a move. If they were not restrained by contracts, they would have changed jobs long ago, and the TV station could not stop them at all.
More than 20 years later, the monthly official salary of TVB's popular first-line stars is about the same as that of Hong Kong taxi drivers. Stars mainly make money by filming commercials and other advertisements, while actors who cannot receive commercials are miserable.
The salary is similar to that of ordinary working-class people, but the work is extremely tiring.
At that time, TVB was in decline, and the treatment was naturally much worse, but the current TVB actors are not much better. Take Liang Chaowei, the TVB boss, as an example. If he does not accept advertisements, does not accept movies, and does not help others to cut ribbons and make money,
In terms of money, the monthly salary is only more than 3,600 yuan, and the median salary in Hong Kong at this time is 2,800 yuan.
In terms of monthly salary, Liang Chaowei's income is at most that of a senior white-collar worker. He has to have extra money to save money to buy a house. What dissatisfied the actors the most about TVB is that it always restricts its artists from accepting films outside. This is tantamount to
It cuts off people's financial paths.
The people who most want to change jobs are the quasi-first-line artists from TVB. These people can't receive advertisements, and because of TVB restrictions, they can only accept very few movie contracts. They can earn 3,000 yuan a month by working hard. Now that Hong Kong movies are beginning to flourish, these people naturally want to
Get rid of it as soon as possible so that you can take part in the Hong Kong film trend.
Phoenix Channel is much more flexible. All actors are contracted by Oriental Entertainment Agency. You can accept whatever films you like. For example, if you are a popular TV star and want to move to the big screen, then you can work with your own agent.
Just discuss it with the company. But if you delay filming a TV series because of filming a movie, someone will naturally take your place.
Therefore, although artists under the Oriental Entertainment Agency are now free to accept advertisements, TV series and movies, they generally do not try to transform easily. For example, Phoenix TV's leading actress Chen Xiuwen released records after gaining a lot of popularity on TV.
It also sold very well. Under such circumstances, she chose to move to the big screen, but the response to two consecutive films was not very good.
Chen Xiuwen had no choice but to go back to acting in TV dramas obediently. However, in the short half a year since she left the TV screen, her position as the number one sister of Phoenix TV was already in jeopardy, and her limelight was stolen by several other actresses.
Because of Chen Xiuwen's example, artists at Oriental Entertainment are now very cautious. For example, the first brother, Wan Zixing, can make TV series with peace of mind, and can only take on one movie a year.
Sometimes you can't suppress it with strong pressure. If you really let go, not so many people want to run away or change careers. Now, several companies under Kang Jianfei are flowing water, while TVB seems too ** and lifeless.
Although Wireless TVB is still extremely profitable, due to the impact of Phoenix Channel and Macau Satellite TV, various internal and external hidden dangers have emerged. As the general manager, Fang Yihua actually feels that the building is about to collapse. (To be continued...) u