Chapter 16 : Confidence and Humility
Chapter 16 - Confidence and Humility
The program began its promotion, and Director Zhang naturally knew about it; after all, promotion required funding, which had to be sent up from his office for approval.
Upon seeing the promotional strategy in the report, Director Zhang had even praised it for being innovative; although it strayed from the beaten path, its feasibility was very high.
Over the past few days, as the promotion was rolled out, the results were surprisingly good.
Director Zhang naturally went to praise Director Liu, but it was only after the latter spoke that he learned the promotional strategy had come from Chen Ran.
“This was the result of everyone's discussion; I wouldn't dare take the credit,” Chen Ran said with a smile.
Director Zhang looked at Chen Ran; if someone didn't know him, they might think he was just putting on an act and feigning humility.
He had been around Chen Ran for a while now and knew that this was simply Chen Ran’s temperament.
This was also one reason why Director Zhang liked Chen Ran—he was more composed in his work than his peers.
He patted Chen Ran and said, “Don’t be so humble with your uncle; it's not like you're an outsider.”
Chen Ran gave an embarrassed smile. Could he say that he truly wasn't being humble?
These creative ideas were indeed proposed by him, but their source was the Earth from his previous life. The differences between the two worlds gave him many advantages, but since he was standing on the shoulders of giants, it would be abnormal to be proud because of it.
Director Zhang added, “The program is almost ready; I wonder how it will be after it broadcasts.”
One could hear that he was somewhat worried.
The higher-ups placed considerable importance on news programs; otherwise, they wouldn't have started here first and redone it with such fanfare.
Setting everything else aside, the funding provided was ample.
As long as the program required it, the higher-ups were completely lenient with reasonable funding applications.
Director Zhang was a veteran at the TV station; he had weathered many storms and was usually quite calm under normal circumstances.
But facing this program, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous and apprehensive.
“The production crew just conducted a survey over the past two days, and the results were decent. Basically, over 90% of people saw the news and expressed anticipation. If nothing unexpected happens, the program should be fine; at any rate, it won't be worse than News Express.”
Chen Ran offered a word of comfort.
Director Zhang shook his head.
“We've redone it with such fanfare, and the station has provided every condition. If it really turns out worse than News Express, then what's the point of even trying? This program was your idea, and I think very highly of it; it's definitely much better than News Express. I'm just wondering if the ratings can reach around 5%...”
5%...
Chen Ran scratched his head.
When Uncle Zhang said he thought highly of it, he only gave it an expectation of 5%?
One had to know that even the news program before the redo had reached 3%.
This expectation was far too low.
Chen Ran said, “Uncle, it’s not that I’m getting a big head, but I feel that 5% for this program is definitely not a problem—it could even be higher!”
Director Zhang caught his meaning, looked at him, and asked, “Speak up then, how much do you estimate it can reach? 6%?”
“I’m being a bit bold...”
“How much?”
“10%!” Chen Ran put great weight on this number, his tone somewhat resolute.
“10%? You truly dare to dream,” Director Zhang was instantly amused.
“I just finished saying you were humble. 10%—if that isn't having a big head, what is?”
“I’m really not getting overconfident; I just feel the ratings will be around there.” Chen Ran was quite confident.
Director Zhang shook his head. At first, he thought Chen Ran was intentionally teasing him, but seeing his expression now, it seemed he was serious.
He was that confident?
But to this day, there were very few local programs with a 10% rating, and all of them were flashes in the pan that declined afterward.
Their station didn't even have a single one right now; the one with the best ratings was only around 7%.
For a news program like Zhaonan Focus, the possibility was far too small.
Although he recognized Chen Ran’s ability, Chen Ran was still too green; he had been involved in too few programs.
Since becoming a regular employee, he had only done the previous Beautiful Zhaonan and then moved to the current Zhaonan Focus.
Young people loved to fantasize; it was normal for them to have such unrealistic fantasies before experiencing the brutal beatings of reality.
Director Zhang was even thinking that once Zhaonan Focus aired and stabilized, and when the next new program began its preparations, he would throw Chen Ran into it again.
Young people, a bit of exhaustion doesn't matter; the main thing is to accumulate more experience.
Chen Ran didn't know what thoughts were spinning in Uncle Zhang's mind, but he didn't continue speaking. In his previous life, this type of local livelihood news program had many with very good ratings; the highest ones even exceeded a 20% rating.
Their local ratings could even surpass the News Simulcast...
The worlds were different, and the quality of news varied as well; Chen Ran didn't dare to overthink it, but combining the survey results with the response received from the advertising during this period, 10% shouldn't be excessive.
There was no use in saying too much now; the actual situation of the program would only be known after it aired.
……
Work was over.
Chen Ran tidied up and prepared to leave.
The preparations were mostly done; there were still people in the production crew working overtime, but the work didn't have much to do with Chen Ran, so he had a rare early shift off.
Not just today, but he could also rest this weekend.
Just as he walked out of the TV station and was about to leave, his phone rang.
Chen Ran took it out to look, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
It showed a call from "Zhizhi."
Originally, he had saved it as "Zhang Fanzhi," but after she saw it, it was changed.
It was said that he needed to be more professional; otherwise, who saves a girlfriend's number with her full name?
These past few days, Chen Ran and Zhang Fanzhi hadn't chatted much, but whenever he worked overtime, Auntie Yun would brew soup and have Zhang Fanzhi deliver it.
They met every day.
He thought that since he was off early today, he probably wouldn't need her.
He hadn't expected that as soon as he stepped out, a call would come.
“Look behind you.”
Zhang Fanzhi's voice was still that same recipe, so cold and clear that it left one with no desire to speak.
Chen Ran turned his head and saw a familiar car parked there.
He hung up the phone, walked over, opened the car door, and said, “I'm not working overtime today.”
Zhang Fanzhi was still wearing a mask. She gave an "mm" and said, “I know, my dad told me.”
Chen Ran said, “Then why did you still come over?”
Zhang Fanzhi pursed her lips. “I didn't want to come either, but my dad booked two movie tickets...”
Chen Ran massaged his forehead, suddenly at a loss for words.
Uncle Zhang was far too dedicated.
He wasn't even this dedicated when making programs.
For the past two days, he had been constantly telling Chen Ran to come over more; he was worried they might have a conflict because Chen Ran was always working overtime and spent too little time with Zhang Fanzhi.
Chen Ran had brushed it off, saying they met every day and there wouldn't be any conflict.
Who would have thought that today, when he wasn't working overtime, the man had arranged movie tickets directly.
“Do we really have to go see a movie?” Chen Ran asked tentatively.
To be honest, he just wanted to go back and lie down; he really didn't want to move.
Zhang Fanzhi's beautiful eyes looked at him as she said calmly, “What do you think?”
Chen Ran knew she was afraid of being exposed, so he could only let out a sigh and ask, “What movie?”
“Chasing Love for Thirty Days.”
“?”
Chen Ran said with a strange look in his eyes:
“If I remember correctly, isn't this movie supposed to be a total flop?”
Zhang Fanzhi tilted her head, her long hair sliding off her shoulder. She blinked and asked, “And?”
From her appearance, it was mandatory to watch?
Chen Ran waved his hand weakly. Fine, we'll watch it. It's just a flop; did I watch few of those in my previous life?
It was just a shame to lose this one-and-a-half hours of rest time.