Chapter 130: Ratings in Turmoil

This.

Looking at the ratings curve on the massive electronic screen, the atmosphere at the data department of Su Province TV was unnervingly strange. Many staff members kept glancing at Zhang Ping and Chen Wei, yet no one dared to speak.

Nothing else.

Only because that top line belonged not to Eggplant TV but to Yan City TV. In other words, Haofang Culture’s Snowbound had won – and by a landslide.

“A drama mostly shot by County Troupe actors managed to outscore a comedy featuring a renowned director and two top-tier actors.”

For a long moment…

Zhang Ping stood up, muttered to himself, and glared sharply at Chen Wei before turning and leaving the data department.

There was no need to watch any further – the outcome was already sealed! His look directed at Chen Wei was loaded with many unspoken implications.

“Boss… the circumstances back then were unusual. It wasn’t that we ignored Haofang Culture; it’s just that—”

At that moment…

Chen Wei jumped in fright and hurriedly followed.

“You stay here and figure out a reasonable explanation for our people in Su Province.”

However, barely a few steps later, Zhang Ping abruptly cut him off.

“Explanation? I…”

Chen Wei was completely stunned.

In reality, the oppressive atmosphere wasn’t limited to Su Province TV – Eggplant TV was feeling it too.

Haishi TV Headquarters

In the data department, apart from a man in his fifties, there was Ran Xiangfei, Vice President of the Director Association; Wan Shan, director of Chef Detective; Yang Yuan from Tianchen Culture; and others.

They had all gathered to witness the ratings for Chef Detective, only to erupt with cries of, “Impossible! How can this be?”

At this moment, Wan Shan had long lost the swagger he had exuded at the wine party days ago. Staring at the ratings which had plummeted to 0.9, his expression was uglier than a fly being devoured.

He simply couldn’t accept such a result.

A celebrated director with two top-tier actors in a comedy ending up losing to a travel endorsement show – and worse, the drama’s leads were mostly County Troupe actors.

Such an outcome was something no one could stomach.

“Could Yan City TV have bought up the ratings just for face?”

After a long pause…

Wan Shan couldn’t hold back any longer, speaking in a bid to salvage the last bit of dignity.

“Bought ratings? Our TV ratings aren’t some bogus online figures. The data we get is as real as it gets! When you’re outmatched, you have to admit it!”

Upon hearing this…

The leader turned, first casting a glance at Ran Xiangfei, then shooting a glare at Wan Shan.

His name was Cai An, the head of Eggplant TV.

This failure was not only a blow to Wan Shan and the Director Association but a much harsher setback for Eggplant TV. They had spent 2.5 million per episode for the exclusive rights to Chef Detective.

Moreover, if this trend continued… Yan City TV might use this chance to catapult themselves into the top tier of the Long Kingdom.

“I know Wan Shan’s ability; it shouldn’t have been such a crushing loss. I’m curious—what on earth did Haofang Culture produce?”

Beside him,

even Ran Xiangfei couldn’t save face as he immediately spoke up.

This confrontation with Yan City TV had been propelled solely by him and Wan Shan. Cai An’s earlier disapproving look was, in fact, aimed at him.

Had he not persistently persuaded Cai An to make a call, Eggplant TV might never have scrambled to adjust their broadcast plan.

“I’m coming too!”

Wan Shan echoed.

In the back row of the data department, Yang Yuan’s face showed disappointment and regret, though he seemed unsurprised.

Seeing the indignant expressions on Ran Xiangfei and Wan Shan, Yang Yuan muttered, “Look at that show over there—seriously? Xu Hao, always unpredictable, hasn’t changed one bit. If only Tianchen Culture had followed through on the original plan.”

And as the president of a major cultural company, one could tell a lot just by glancing at the ratings curve.

With Chef Detective and Snowbound trading the lead for the first twenty minutes before Snowbound stabilized at 0.9, it was clear that the drama itself was fine – it just shouldn’t have gone head-to-head with Yan City TV.

If Snowbound had been scheduled to air after the other show wrapped, its ratings wouldn’t have been so low.

“Sigh!”

After a long pause, Yang Yuan sighed and then turned to leave Eggplant TV’s data department.

At this point, nothing more needed to be said.

A drama that could have raked in huge profits ended up barely breaking even – and might even suffer a slight loss. It was all tangled up with the behind-the-scenes meddling of the Director Association.

Tianchen Culture must never hire a director like Wan Shan again, and definitely not listen to the Director Association’s instigation!

They can choose whoever they want!

If Tianchen Culture ever goes head-to-head with that son of Xu Hao again, I swear Yang Yuan will lose his mind.

Time flew, and before anyone knew it, it was already 10 PM.

Yan City

At the TV headquarters’ editorial department, as the ratings curve on the monitor began to slide downward, warm applause suddenly filled the room.

Nothing else.

Simply because by this time, two episodes of Snowbound had already aired, and when it ended, its final rating hit 3.7 – far surpassing Chef Detective.

Naturally, the editorial staff were ecstatic.

“Director, that performance was outstanding! Who else would dare claim Yan City TV’s dramas are subpar? In less than three months, we’ve launched two smash hits. What TV station can top that?”

After the excitement, one editor remarked,

“It’s all thanks to the station head. If not for him, we might have really missed out on Snowbound.”

Ren Long also expressed his amazement.

Although they had seen the drama before and knew how brilliant Snowbound was, watching it completely dominate Chef Detective in ratings was incredibly satisfying – as if Yan City TV had given the Director Association two resounding slaps in front of the entire nation.

“By the way, Director, I heard the station head went to Mingsha County the other day!”

After a pause, a female editor added,

“Yeah! It seems he went to discuss a collaboration with Haofang Culture.”

Ren Long nodded.

“A collaboration? Did it work out? What kind of drama is Haofang Culture planning next?”

Instantly, the editors gathered around.

Before this, they hadn’t paid much attention to a newcomer like Haofang Culture, but now it had become synonymous with high ratings and quality.

“The station head said they might produce a historical political drama there, but with all the infrastructure projects planned, filming might not start until after the New Year.”

Ren Long commented.

“After the New Year? That late? I thought Haofang Culture would ride the wave – after every hit, they make a fortune. Once the premiere ratings drop, the streaming rights on video sites would probably sell for a bundle.”

Upon hearing “after the New Year,”

many editors couldn’t hide their disappointment.

“It can’t be helped. Haofang Culture is backed by Mingsha Tourism; that company exists mainly to serve local attractions. Expecting them to shoot elsewhere just isn’t realistic.”

Ren Long shook his head.

“Alright everyone, go check out the audience reviews for Snowbound. The station head will handle the Haofang Culture collaboration himself.”

“Audience reviews? They’re undoubtedly positive – we’ve watched the entire series, after all!”

The editors smiled.

And they had no reason to worry.

As expected, after tonight, Mingsha County gained yet another hotspot. Even after watching, everyone wanted to visit Mingsha County to experience Tingchao Pavilion and Wudi City, and to climb Wudi City’s walls to check if Lao Huang’s sword box was still there – not to mention the ordinary viewers.

In fact, the Yan City TV editors weren’t wrong – they themselves represented a significant part of the audience.

At that moment,

the drama discussion forum was dominated by threads on Snowbound, with only a few on Chef Detective.

“Haofang Culture is really top-notch!”

“Absolutely. Even though this drama took less than three months, its quality is undeniable. The pacing and action scenes are superb – each episode feels like watching a martial arts film.”

Plus, the maids and that Premier Nan Gong were stunning. A County Troupe rarely has so many talented, beautiful actresses – those young girls truly exceeded expectations!

“County Troupe has no shortage of beauties; they just don’t get the same exposure as movie stars.”

“Lao Huang’s performance was unique too – especially when he heard the Crown Prince was heading to the brothel. That eager little expression nearly had me in stitches. For an old man, shouldn’t he know his own strengths by now?”

“I thought when the Director Association and Tianchen Culture tried to go head-to-head with Yan City TV, Chef Detective would shine. Now it just seems mediocre.”

“To be fair, Chef Detective is quite good! The only issue was the timing—it wasn’t released at the right moment.”

“What do you mean ‘good’? Compared to Wulin Wai Chuan, it falls short.”

“Don’t even compare it to a legend like Wulin Wai Chuan! That series is virtually untouchable – not even other top-tier historical light comedies can measure up.”

“Actually, I agree with the gentleman above! In terms of quality and plot, Chef Detective surpasses many previous comedies, but after watching Wulin Wai Chuan, expectations are just too high.”

Now, watching it felt bland. Everyone definitely preferred Snowbound.

“If only they had waited a little longer and not insisted on competing directly with Yan City TV, Snowbound would have earned excellent ratings and reviews.”

“Even if your point is valid, what difference does it make? It’s the Director Association and Tianchen Culture who stirred up the mess, leaving everyone dumbfounded!”

“Sigh, although I’m a fan of Wang Ran, this time I’m with Yan City TV.”

“Alright, enough about Chef Detective—let’s talk about Snowbound. Did you notice the scenery, especially Tingchao Pavilion and its surroundings?”

As the conversation continued,

many viewers mentioned the scenery in Snowbound.

After all, this drama was made to promote the ancient architecture of Mingsha County.

“I saw it! I want to know one thing: when will Tingchao Pavilion open to the public? Missing the first check-in at Qixia Town means you can’t pass up a chance to visit Tingchao Pavilion.”

“Totally agree. The grandeur of Tingchao Pavilion in the drama is no less impressive than that of the wooden Tengwang Pavilion. Plus, if you get to see those gorgeous County Troupe actresses in period costumes and maybe even spark a romance, that’s truly immersive tourism.”

“Haha, stealing maids from the Crown Prince? You really have an imagination.”

“You’d better ask Mingsha Tourism—though I reckon it will open in a few days. The Mingsha Tourism Festival is on October 20th; only nine days left. Mingsha Tourism won’t wait until the festival to open.”

“Speaking of the Tourism Festival, Su Province really pulled out all the stops this time, launching two blockbuster dramas and creating two IP landmarks! Simply top-notch!”

“Big moves by Su Province? More accurately, it should be Mingsha Tourism.”