BXBX NOVEL Chapter 104: 0104
Chapter 104
Especially when Jiang Juyou appears, her segments tend to go viral. Her clips spread all over the internet, with everyone amazed at how her mind works and how she comes up with so many interesting ideas.
The variety show has brought exposure to Timetrain, increasing their fan base, but most of the attention is directed towards Jiang Juyou, with many becoming dedicated fans of Random Entertainment.
A month quickly passed, and it was time for the official launch of Random iWatch.
Usually, only developers would care about such a launch date, but for some reason, everyone remembered that today was the day. Not only did they remember, but they were also excited. During their lunch break, people were asking on Weibo what shows would be available.
Just after the question was asked, Random iWatch's official Weibo account made an announcement—
The content of the announcement was quickly spread across various platforms, sparking heated discussions.
"Title: Gossip Lovers/Deadlock Entertainment Fans Announce New Paid Model [Concise Summary]!"
"Non-members: Four ad spots per episode, one minute per ad."
"Annual members: Ad-free throughout, no interruptions, follows the drama's broadcast calendar."
"Paid content: Exclusive dramas can be purchased to watch all episodes at once upon release."
"Other aspects are similar to other platforms. The last point essentially means advanced viewing, but unlike other platforms that offer it halfway through the series, this one allows it from the beginning, which is great for those who don't like waiting for episodes."
"Pricing is based on the production investment and number of episodes, pay per drama, similar to watching a movie."
"Today's TV drama is priced at 24 yuan, with 24 episodes, a realistic mystery theme."
"Only TV dramas offer advanced viewing, no changes for variety shows."
"P.S. Deadlock Entertainment's girl group survival show launches today."
Comments section:
"Uninstall the app to teach them a lesson, they've forgotten who they are after all the praise."
"...But I actually think it's okay."
"Did you guys even read it carefully before criticizing?"
"What? What's going on?"
"It's not a big deal, just buy it if you can't wait. The only downside is you might end up with a dud."
"I think it's not bad, you can decide whether to buy based on others' reviews after they've watched it."
"There are still drawbacks, the price is the same regardless of when you buy, it's only worth it if you buy after watching one or two episodes."
"Did anyone notice their drama calendar? It's weekly... only two episodes a week."
"I saw there are over a dozen upcoming dramas on the release calendar."
"Then just wait until it's finished before watching, we have plenty of time."
"...Did you guys not notice it says 'only during broadcast period'? It means you'll have to pay to watch after the broadcast ends."
"Then what's the point of buying an annual membership, just to remove ads?"
"Twenty-something yuan is not bad, movie tickets cost fifty or sixty. If it's a good drama, it's worth the money."
"If you don't want to pay, just watch it as it airs. What's there to argue about? An annual fee of eighty-something yuan for ad-free viewing, and you're still not satisfied? You're getting all worked up over people who are willing to pay to watch the ending early, it's not your money they're spending."
This announcement instantly ignited the internet. Some found it acceptable, others said they'd resort to piracy sites. These reactions were all anticipated by Jiang Juyou before the announcement was made.
The controversy brought massive attention, and the app's download speed gradually decreased. These data showed that negative voices were still prevalent.
Jiang Juyou understood, as these negative voices also represented the unfair treatment consumers had experienced in the market.
People trust and pay for memberships to watch dramas, but after following a series for months, it ends up being terrible, and the monthly membership fee of several dozen yuan goes to waste.
Jiang Juyou implemented this system for two reasons. First, the existing payment system couldn't support the operation of a long-video platform, and she couldn't use Random Entertainment to fill the platform's gaps, so she came up with this rule to assist its operation.
Second, if she dares to charge, she must be responsible to consumers, at least ensuring that the content offered is praised by the majority.
Today, in addition to Random Entertainment's first self-produced TV drama, there was also the highly anticipated girl trainee survival show that had been teasing the public for a month. By the afternoon when Random iWatch officially launched, the controversy over the TV drama had been overshadowed by the survival show.
The opening screen featured the survival show's poster, with Pei Zhiping standing in the center position, looking particularly radiant.
With the platform's official launch, it offered content available on other platforms as well as numerous overseas productions.
Despite the fierce arguments in the afternoon, once people actually entered the app, they couldn't help but admire Random iWatch's quality.
The interface was truly clean, and as promised, there were no ads for members.
Those who had criticized Random Entertainment for being money-hungry in the afternoon were now relieved that they had registered for the app before the launch, allowing them to take advantage of the annual membership deal.
Jiang Liuxing, who had been monitoring online trends, frowned as she read through the comments.
More than disliking the payment system, people seemed to want to see Random Entertainment fall from its pedestal. They wanted to see the previously praised company stumble, making themselves feel less inadequate and Jiang Juyou less omnipotent.
The gender of those posting such toxic comments was obvious. Jiang Liuxing endured the disgust as she read through them, not forgetting to record the screen as evidence.
Ignoring these deliberately negative comments, Jiang Liuxing began to seek out opinions from influential users about the payment system. After seeing neutral attitudes in the comment sections, she got a general sense of the trend.
"Liuxing, aren't you going to eat?" her roommate asked, coming down from her bed to go for dinner and seeing Jiang Liuxing still typing away on her laptop.
Jiang Liuxing shook her head, "Not now, I have something to do." She paused mid-typing, then grabbed her laptop and got off the bed.
"Changed your mind?"
"No, I need to go out for a bit."
"Alright, if you get hungry, text me. I'll be back to the dorm around 7, I can bring you something before then."
"Thanks, babe!"
Jiang Liuxing packed her bag, put her laptop in it, said goodbye to her roommate, and hurried out.
Her plan was to edit videos and use the influence of marketing accounts to shift public opinion.
On the internet, most people lack critical thinking and tend to believe whatever marketing accounts say. Their thoughts are easily swayed. Jiang Liuxing's goal was to change these people's minds, at least preventing them from being misled and joining in the criticism of Jiang Juyou.
As for those capable of independent thought, they weren't her concern. People with brains could surely understand the pros and cons of this system, right?
Just like those willing to pay for it, if it's truly a good production, what's wrong with spending a bit to support it?
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Since this reaction was anticipated, Jiang Juyou wasn't too concerned. She believed that future productions would prove her right.
At the moment, she was working overtime "creating" the venue for Timetrain's five-member group variety show.
It was past working hours, and Jiang Juyou was the only one left on this floor. Outside was pitch black, with only her office lit. Usually, she wouldn't think much of it, but these past few days were different.
Jiang Juyou looked at the venue she had created, then glanced at her office with only one desk lamp on.
"..."
"Can you turn on the office lights for me?" Jiang Juyou asked.
"Are you scared?" Cong Lixia's voice had a hint of excitement as she asked.
Clenching her fist, Jiang Juyou stubbornly replied, "No."
Jiang Juyou was using a virtual photo studio. The last time she used it was during her debut competition, where she only generated a trainee area. Although those praised promotional videos and concept films were all produced here, it hadn't really showcased its strengths.
This time, Jiang Juyou wanted to try something exciting--
On the map, an island stood in the ink-blue sea. Surging waves crashed against the pebble beach, the rushing water mixing with the sound of wind. Paired with a bright full moon, a quiet little town was born.
The facilities in the town were no different from an ordinary small town, making it hard to believe it wasn't real.
After planning out the map, Jiang Juyou asked something she had been curious about for a long time, "...How do you make people believe in the existence of something that suddenly appears? What if fans want to visit places their idols have been to in the future?"
"Information," Cong Lixia answered. "Didn't I tell you? As long as there's internet, I can manipulate it."
"Ah, I see. You can create information about it online, making people believe it really exists with evidence... But what if fans want to visit?" The moment Jiang Jiyou finished asking, she actually had the answer in her heart. In fact, Cong Lixia's previous sentence had answered two questions.
He said, "I can just turn it into a real place. As for the filming, there will definitely be parts built by the production team. We can explain any differences in the location as set designs."
Having resolved her confusion, Jiang Juyou rubbed her hands and looked at the eerie little town she had created, smiling with satisfaction.
In the upper right corner, the work's title read: "Rabbit Officer's Detective Notebook"
"Phew--" Jiang Juyou stretched her body, twisted her neck, then picked up her phone to message the manager of Gao Xiayu and the others.
"Jiang Juyou: The day after tomorrow, Monday, as soon as they finish classes, pick them up and send them directly to the airport. Don't tell them what they're doing, just whisk them away. I'll send you the detailed itinerary in a bit."
"Jiang Juyou: Oh right, tell Guan Xiaoxiao to bring Sang Mo and Chen Wu along too."
Pei Luming: Does anyone remember that we're all easily scared?
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Today is also a double update with a total of 6,000 words~
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