Chapter 98: Ideas for a New Show

The next morning.

The third episode of "I Am a Singer" rode the wave of Yu Zhile's popularity, breaking the record for the highest viewership of any variety show on Eastern Satellite TV in the past five years!

2.07%!

When this rating was announced, everyone at the station was beside themselves with excitement!

In today's internet-driven era, a program breaking 1% viewership is already considered excellent—surpassing 2% is practically unbeatable!

Over the past five years, no variety show on any national television channel had exceeded 2% in ratings! There are only a handful of shows that can consistently guarantee more than 1% per episode!

And now, "I Am a Singer," with only three episodes aired, has reached such an astonishing height!

From a debut rating of 1.21%, to 1.73% in the second episode, and now over 2% in the third, this meteoric rise speaks volumes: relying on celebrity traffic alone cannot save viewership for variety shows!

To achieve outstanding ratings, only the quality and level of the program matter!

At this moment, Director Zhang was so thrilled that his eyes were red with excitement!

After "I Am a Singer" became a hit, the biggest beneficiary was not the singers, but him—the director.

In each episode, at the end, he would appear to announce the singers' competition rankings, employing the drawn-out, suspenseful style of Ni Qiqin's ranking announcements last year.

Thus, as the show soared, he soared with it!

Within the variety show industry, he would now transform from an unremarkable, ordinary director into a formidable figure in the eyes of the public!

"Xiao Yang, come to my office for a moment!"

He excitedly patted Yang Bing on the shoulder. After Yang Bing followed him into the office, Director Zhang gestured for him to close the door.

Seeing the wild joy and excitement in his eyes and expression, Yang Bing felt an inexplicable sense of apprehension.

What was Director Zhang up to?

If it was a reward, surely it wouldn't be this secretive, nor would he ask him to close the door.

He asked timidly, "Director Zhang, is there something you want me to do?"

Director Zhang sat on the sofa, preparing tea, signaling Yang Bing to sit down. He said, "Xiao Yang, 'I Am a Singer' owes its success to your brilliant planning!"

Yang Bing dared not take sole credit and replied humbly, "Director Zhang, the main factor is your excellent direction! My planning was just an idea, and everyone can have good ideas, but not everyone can make them a reality."

"You're really good with words!"

Director Zhang smiled and praised him, asking, "Have you thought about your future? Which direction do you want to develop?"

Yang Bing seemed to realize what Director Zhang was getting at, and he answered honestly, "I don't have any other plans for now. I just want to work steadily, plan programs well, and earn a good living."

Director Zhang asked, "Would you like to be in charge of your own program, like me?"

Yang Bing smiled wryly, "If I said I didn't, you probably wouldn't believe me!"

"I like straightforward people like you!"

Director Zhang laughed, "There's still three months before the first season of 'I Am a Singer' concludes. The next show hasn't been decided yet. If you have a solid idea and a good plan, I can help you fight for a program—any genre, as long as it's confident and has appeal!"

Yang Bing was excited, but still worried, "But Director Zhang, I have no experience as a director!"

Director Zhang looked at him intently, "So you do have an idea, right? Directing, I'll help you with. As long as you have a good program plan!"

Yang Bing hesitated, "Director Zhang, may I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," Director Zhang said.

Yang Bing asked, "Why are you helping me get a program?"

Director Zhang laughed, "Now that 'I Am a Singer' is a hit, I'll be earning quite a bit in bonuses and dividends. But the real hero behind this show is you, not me. So, these dividends should be rewarded to you.

To be honest, you worked hard to plan such a successful show, and in the end it becomes someone else's asset—surely you'd feel disgruntled, right?

If it were me, I'd be upset!

Helping you apply for a program—first, I think you're someone with great potential; second, I benefited from your ideas, and I feel guilty about it. If I were to share the money with you, my miserly nature would resist, so I'd rather help you get your own program. Whether it becomes an honor or a disgrace depends on your own fate!"

Yang Bing felt deeply wronged!

So that's how Director Zhang sees him!

Disgruntled? Upset?

Honestly, he didn't feel that way!

Although he had poured more effort into "I Am a Singer" than anyone, the show's concept wasn't his alone—the greatest contributor was Yu Zhile!

So, now that the show was a hit, he really hadn't considered feeling resentful about the benefits going to the station and the director.

All he wanted was for the show's success to make him valued by leadership, leading to promotions, raises, more bonuses, and dividends—and that would be more than enough!

But he never expected Director Zhang to judge him so unfairly!

Still, since Director Zhang had brought it up, he might as well play along!

After all, it was a tempting offer!

Having a show of his own meant standing at the forefront of the variety show industry. With a bit of luck, even a pig could soar!

He said gratefully, "Director Zhang! I'll strive to perfect a new program plan within a month, and I'll count on your support then!"

"That's the spirit!"

Director Zhang laughed, "There's no rush—just finalize it within two months. Your main focus should remain on 'I Am a Singer.' When it comes to directing, I'm better than you, but when it comes to planning and ideas, you young people have the edge."

"Yes, I'll work hard!"

Yang Bing clenched his fists in excitement. Since the New Year's Eve Gala, he'd actually been thinking about a new program concept.

Now that he had the opportunity, he must seize it!

And this new show, he believed, would be even more interesting than "I Am a Singer." Once he finished the plan, he could share it with Yu Zhile and discuss it, then they'd know whether it would work.

Because he might not fully trust his own judgment, but he absolutely trusted Yu Zhile's!

So, as long as Yu Zhile approved, he could confidently go all out to create his own variety show!

...

At home, Yu Zhile exclaimed, "Honey! I'm incredible! 'I Am a Singer' broke 2% in ratings last night!"

Qin Haiyu was surprised by the show's ratings, but still puzzled, "What does that have to do with you, darling? How are you incredible?"

Yu Zhile replied, "Because the ratings are thanks to my popularity!"

"That does make sense!" Qin Haiyu smiled, "So what's the exact percentage?"

Yu Zhile said, "2.07%!"

Qin Haiyu said admiringly, "Do you think the ratings could go even higher? Is it possible to break 3%?"

Yu Zhile replied, "It could go up, but 3% is almost impossible—after all, overall ratings have dropped these days."

Just then, Yang Bing messaged: "The summer replacement for 'I Am a Singer' hasn't been decided yet. I want to fight for a show. Do you have time in the next few days? I'll treat you to a meal and discuss my new program idea with you!"

"Sure, let's do Saturday!"

Yu Zhile replied to the message, feeling curious—what would Old Yang's new show be like?