Speaking of the history of American TV series being introduced to China, it actually started very early.
Decades ago, influenced by the international situation, cultural exchanges began after the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and the United States.
In 1980, the first American TV series to enter China appeared. Many people who follow American TV series or are older know or have seen it. It was called "The Man from Atlantis."
The proper translation should actually be "The Man from Atlantis." It's estimated that at the time, people didn't know what Atlantis was.
In October of the same year, the second American TV series, "Garrison's Gorillas," aired, creating a sensation that was no less impactful than classic old dramas like "Journey to the West" and "Aspiration."
After 16 episodes, this show was suddenly suspended. Many people wrote to CCTV asking for the reason, making it a major event in CCTV's history.
The reason for the suspension was that the leaders believed "Garrison's Gorillas" was a purely entertaining show with fight scenes and shenanigans, lacking much artistic value, and also causing a negative social impact.
According to reports, many people at the time practiced throwing knives, lock-picking, and other skills after watching the show, and serial theft and other malicious cases also increased, somewhat like "Young and Dangerous."
In any case, the common people liked it, but the leaders and artists didn't, as the market hadn't started yet, and the pursuit wasn't profit.
Subsequently, American TV series such as "My Favorite Martian," "Growing Pains," "Hunter," "Beauty and the Beast," "Lace," and "Knight Rider" successively landed in China. Even shows like "wonder woman" and "Superman" were aired and had a certain impact nationwide or regionally.
At that time, American TV series could directly air during prime time every evening, whether on CCTV or major local TV stations.
However, in the 1990s, policies began to tighten, the introduction of American TV series gradually stopped, and Korean dramas began to flourish.
But from 1995, when "friends" began airing on Pearl TV in Hong Kong, since most areas in Guangdong could watch Pearl TV, "friends" naturally entered the hearts of the younger generation.
Later, many pirated disc distributors discovered business opportunities. Sitcoms were particularly popular among young people and were even used as teaching materials in classrooms for learning English.
Thus, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, shows like "friends," "Will & Grace," and "everybody loves raymond" began to emerge in the pirated disc market.
Until the advent of the internet era, subtitle groups like Fengruan, Eden, Broken Bear, and Renren appeared, dedicating their efforts without expecting anything in return.
Coupled with the surge of high-quality American TV series, "Prison Break," "Grey's Anatomy," "Rome," "Lost," "the sopranos," and "24" all appeared, allowing American TV series to revive through the internet.
Later, with the standardization of video websites, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television's review of online dramas was not strict, or rather, the system was not yet perfect.
Video websites like Youku, Tudou, and iQiyi began to purchase copyrights for overseas dramas, and shows like "the walking dead" and "2 Broke Girls" entered mainland China.
Until 2014, when new regulations from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television were introduced, online dramas purchased overseas began to be reviewed, leading to a large-scale removal of American TV series.
Coupled with various factors such as copyright protection, the disappearance of subtitle and resource groups, and the decline in creativity of American TV series themselves, American TV series entered a period of comprehensive decline in China.
Until about two or three years before Eric's transmigration, Bilibili began to purchase a large number of overseas dramas again, including American, Japanese, and British dramas.
Although they all had to undergo some censorship, it was already commendable.
It is currently late 2003. In fact, the policies of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television have already tightened. American TV series can no longer be broadcast on local TV stations, but CCTV's overseas theater is still airing them.
For example, Spielberg's "band of brothers" has been broadcast, which is probably like, I can set fire, but you can't light a lamp.
So, Eric's idea of reintroducing American TV series is not entirely accurate; a more precise way to put it is to reintroduce them on a large scale.
Not to restore it to the golden age of the last century, but at least to allow local stations to broadcast them, to revive them and then let them flourish again.
Hearing his request, Zhou Xiaopeng and Han Sanping looked at Chen Ou together. They couldn't make the decision on this matter; it depended on the attitude of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
Chen Ou hesitated for a moment: "The introduction of American TV series currently faces some policy resistance, but it's not entirely impossible."
"CCTV Channel 8 is currently considering introducing 'friends' to air next year, or introducing 'everybody loves raymond.'"
"But I don't quite understand what you mean by a stable channel for introduction. Can you explain it more clearly?"
Eric gave an example: "Director Chen, you can understand it this way: MGM will establish a new company overseas. We will define the nature of this new company as a distributor and an intermediary."
"However, it will be the exclusive distributor. I need the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television to grant exclusive import and operating rights, meaning that all American TV series, variety shows, or other works that want to be imported into China, as long as they are not for the big screen, we will exclusively represent them."
"Director Chen, the 'friends' you just mentioned belongs to NBC. If this show wants to be sold in mainland China, it must first go through this new company."
"After passing through us, we will then do business with the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, or with a company authorized by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, such as Oriental MGM, which is quite good."
Chen Ou nodded: "Listening to your description, it sounds a bit familiar. Isn't this mechanism equivalent to China Film Group Corporation?"
"China Film Group Corporation controls the import and distribution rights of imported blockbusters. Your new company controls the output from the American side to China."
Han Sanping quickly said: "I was just about to mention this. Is your new company specifically for the small screen or the big screen? Does it involve films?"
Eric waved his hand: "Don't worry, we won't compete with China Film Group Corporation for business. We won't handle the big screen. Of course, we wouldn't mind if you want to authorize us."
"You're joking. I don't even have enough food for my own family."
Hearing Eric's disinterest in the big screen, Han Sanping was relieved. TV series don't sell for much money at all, completely incomparable to imported blockbusters.
However, this is a good thing. If the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television authorizes Oriental MGM or China Film Group Corporation to connect with Eric's new company, the intermediate profit would be a decent income.
If all goes well, after "meg" project starts, he will soon be officially promoted, and Oriental MGM will also be in his hands.
With imported blockbusters in one hand and imported American TV series in the other, a dual-wheel drive and two wings flying together, it's simply a great thing. He'll be ecstatic!
Thinking of this, Han Sanping opened his mouth and said, "Lao Chen, I think this is a good proposal."
"Look at our current TV series market. Its development in recent years has become increasingly distorted. When one theme becomes popular, everyone follows suit."
"Just like after 'Princess Pearl' became popular, all sorts of 'Princess Huaiyu,' 'The Last Princess,' 'Princess Xinyue,' 'Thirteenth Princess,' 'Princess Is Getting Married' came out, and it gave me a headache."
"When 'Meteor Garden' became popular, various idol dramas appeared, and their impact on teenagers and students was not shallow."
"There are also the 'Historical Dramatization' series, 'Dynasty' series,'Secret History' series,'Spy War' series, and so on. Production costs are rising, and the fees for selling to TV stations are also jumping up several notches."
"But most of the quality is shoddy, just trying to cash in on the current popularity and make a quick buck."
"If this continues, the market will gradually be led astray. We must find a way to force the market to improve production standards."
Listening to his complaints, Eric couldn't help but chuckle to himself. If he saw the rampant anti-Japanese dramas of the future, grinding the audience's intelligence into the ground, he wondered what his thoughts would be.
Chen Ou looked at him intently: "Old Han, what do you want to say?"
"What I want to say is very simple. Why are we involved in overseas distribution and joint venture film companies? Making money is one part and a prerequisite, but the ultimate goal is to export culture."
"This is a path that must be taken as our national strength increases."
"The previous generation in the last century, our country hadn't joined the WTO then, unlike now, when it has entered a golden period of development."
"Back then, they only needed to manage their own minds and not be invaded by foreign ideas."
"But our generation is different. We also need to find ways to put our own things into other people's minds. This, like taking money out of other people's pockets, is one of the two most difficult things in the world, but the burden is on our shoulders."
"Don't you agree?"
Chen Ou nodded: "That's right, continue."
"Lao Chen, it's not easy to carry this burden well. Old methods don't work anymore. Our minds must be more open, to liberate our thoughts."
"Times are different, so we can't stick to the old ways. Policies should also be relaxed. I believe gradually opening up the market and bringing in foreign dramas is one of the ways."
"The premise of exporting culture is that you must first have seen foreign cultures, so that you can create more targeted works."
"How does that saying go? Learn from the barbarians to defeat the barbarians. Of course, I'm not talking about you, Eric, but that's the principle."
"If you go to street stalls or audio-visual stores, you will find many pirated American TV series and movies, especially among young people and college students, who are the main audience."
"There is a market demand for this. What they are exposed to now are all unedited versions, which may contain prohibited content."
"But can you block it? Can you catch everyone? Plus the online environment, even our ancestors knew that guiding is better than blocking!"
"Let's do it ourselves, control this market, review before importing, and cut what needs to be cut."
"This way, it satisfies the public's demand, removes prohibited content, and promotes market development, forcing domestic producers to improve their standards."
"After five years, I can guarantee that the quality of domestic film and television dramas will definitely improve significantly."
"Once the foundation is laid, it will be easier for us to export culture. Quality is the hard currency, don't you agree?"
Zhou Xiaopeng also chimed in: "It's a market economy now. Even China Film Group Corporation will undergo reforms in August. The overall environment is indeed different."
"As the public's demands increase, the film and television industry naturally cannot be as meticulously crafted as in the past. Spending three or four years creating a single work is unrealistic; people would starve."
"So, this phenomenon of following trends is bound to happen, and shoddy production is also inevitable."
"Although costume dramas are developing well, at best, they can only thrive in Southeast Asia. It's impossible for them to go further."
"If this trend continues, the film and television works released in a few years will only be worse."
"Introducing good foreign works to stimulate the internal market, under the 'catfish effect,' will force domestic innovation and the production of more refined and diverse dramas. I think it's worth a try."
"Furthermore, in the current domestic external TV drama market, the Korean Wave dominates. Introducing competitors is also not impossible."
Chen Ou pondered for a while: "What you both said makes sense, but this is not a small matter, and we few cannot decide it on the spot."
"MGM has always been working hard to help us and is our good friend. Chinese people never let their friends down."
"How about this: after I go back, I will first report to the director, and there will definitely be internal meetings and discussions for a period of time."
"Even if the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television agrees, the plan submitted will require further review."
"Eric, I will give you a reply as soon as possible."
Eric also knew that procedures had to be followed step by step. Such matters involving policy could take half a year to research, and that would be considered fast.
"Director Chen, then I'll leave it to you. Actually, if this is successful, it will benefit everyone."
"In the future, if the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television wants to introduce good dramas, they only need to deal with MGM, saving you the trouble of dealing with NBC, Fox, ABC, and other companies."
"Doing business with me, I guarantee I won't trick you. My principle has always been mutual benefit."
"Similarly, if Chinese local TV stations want to buy American TV series, they also have to go through the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television. Behind us are the vast domestic markets of our respective countries. The intermediary earns the price difference, creating economic benefits."
Eric's proposal was essentially no different from a monopoly, just a state-sanctioned monopoly.
If successful, it could accelerate the maturity of the mainland market and greatly help in earning huge profits in the future.
The negotiations continued until sunset. Old Han saw that it was getting late, stood up, and said, "We've been chatting for so long, don't just sit there. Come with me, everything is arranged."
The group arrived at the restaurant. After eating and drinking, everyone's faces were a bit red, except for ※_24_⛬, who hadn't had any alcohol.
"I say no one can leave. There are still activities later, especially you, Eric. You left too hastily last time."
"Today, you'll come with me. Everything is according to my arrangements. You can also see the good things here, whether they are worse than Hollywood's."
Seeing this, ※_24_⛬ discreetly excused herself and left. The upcoming content was not suitable for her to participate in.
Chen Ou also wanted to leave, but Old Han held him back, saying he really had something to do.
After all, it was his first time meeting Eric, and there were no current connections of interest, so it was better to be cautious.
As he was leaving, Chen Ou suddenly grabbed Eric's arm.
"Eric, I have another favor to ask of you, if you could help."
"Tell me."
"It's almost New Year's. We Chinese have a tradition of holding a nationwide gala called the Spring Festival Gala."
"Recently, the director of CCTV complained to me that he's under a lot of pressure, needing both ratings and innovation."
"Now that we've joined the WTO, he wants to try an international approach, inviting big international stars to sing a song, and he asked me if I had any connections."
"Seeing you today, I remembered this. I just wanted to ask you if you could help invite Michael Jackson to sing a song at the Spring Festival Gala?"