However, even if those companies possessed immense strength, Yu Zhou would not be overly concerned.
The reason was simple: while they indeed held formidable capital and power throughout Long Xia, it did not necessarily mean they could dedicate themselves to expanding their market into Zhongnan Province.
To them, the Zhongnan Province market was just one of many. Even if some minor issues arose, it would not significantly impact them.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that they were genuinely indifferent. Yu Zhou, however, was different. His current goal was the entire Zhongnan region. Even if the markets outside completely faltered, he would establish his brand within Zhongnan.
Therefore, their determination was fundamentally different, which was the primary reason for what Yu Zhou needed to do now.
"Next, we will first auction the advertising slot after the animated cartoon!"
"This advertising slot holds natural appeal for snack-type companies. In a month, the previous advertisement slot will be taken down, and it has been stated that the contract will not be renewed."
"Therefore, any party interested in this slot can now place their bids."
"The starting bid is thirty thousand for three months!"
The Deputy Director announced, word by word.
In reality, the price of this advertising slot was quite reasonable.
Generally, based on Yu Zhou's understanding of such advertising slots, five to sixty thousand would be considered the upper limit.
This particular slot, when auctioned individually, might be given too much importance. Of course, for tonight's bidding conference, this advertising slot served as a bonus, which was indeed sufficient.
As expected, people were not overly interested in this type of advertising slot.
Even some companies that were not particularly powerful were only bidding casually.
If they could secure it, that would be best, but if not, it wouldn't be a significant loss.
Perhaps it was because everyone held this attitude that the auction for this slot was not very heated.
After a副食品厂 (fùshípǐn chǎng - food processing plant) secured it for forty-three thousand, there were not many objections from the floor.
Most people were eyeing the long-term advertising slots on weekends or the prime-time slots.
This was merely an appetizer, and naturally, not too many people would be focused on acquiring it.
In truth, whether it was Yu Zhou or the owners of other factories, what they aimed to achieve was to implant their brands deeply into people's hearts.
With this mindset, the time of the advertisement played a crucial role.
Yu Zhou did not even raise a paddle, indicating his lack of interest in this slot, which clearly explained the situation.
Animated cartoons were watched by children, and what kind of products were most effective during that time? Naturally, advertisements for snacks or toys would be the most impactful.
However, prime-time slots were different, especially the slot after the evening news. Across all major television stations, these were truly prime advertising spots.
One must understand that in this era, local stations had not yet begun broadcasting via satellite, and satellite TV channels were still in their nascent stages.
Therefore, the mainstream television programs were mostly from CCTV and local television stations. Provincial satellite TVs were the most important local broadcasters apart from CCTV.
Most people watched such television stations, so naturally, there was an inherent advantage in terms of reach.
You should know that in the countryside at that time, even with just a few antennas, one could receive local channels. However, they could not receive television stations from other provinces and cities using antennas.
Most people watched television from their own province or played movies on VCDs. This was entirely different from the post-modern era where every household had countless television channels.
Even Yu Zhou was fully aware of the promotional power of provincial satellite TVs during that time, given similar conditions.
It was only later, after the advent of satellite broadcasting, that the competition among provincial satellite TVs intensified.
Among them, Hunan Satellite TV, which excelled in competition, possessed the strength to contend with CCTV. As for other stations, those in the lower tier of provincial satellite TVs ultimately faded into obscurity and were eliminated from the competition.
Of course, Zhongnan Satellite TV also experienced a period of immense glory after it began broadcasting via satellite.
It even gradually reached a level comparable to Hunan Satellite TV. However, this glory was ultimately fleeting, leading to its eventual decline into the second or even third tier.
Nevertheless, even in such a scenario, maintaining good relations with Zhongnan Television was still very important.
After all, it was a television station that later covered the entire Long Xia and had once been incredibly brilliant.
Without any surprises, the advertising slots for the subsequent several periods were all successfully acquired by various enterprises, with none being left unsold.
Especially the secondary prime-time slots on weekends, which commanded an exorbitant price of two hundred thousand for three months.
In this era, for a non-satellite television station, this price was already terrifying.
What kind of advertisement cost two hundred thousand for three months, paid solely to the television station?
However, everyone understood very well that this was certainly not the peak for the day. The ultimate peak would undoubtedly belong to the advertising slot on Thursday at seven-thirty prime-time.
"Next is the most exciting advertising slot. We can offer eight seconds of airtime immediately after the weather forecast!"
"The starting bid! One hundred and thirty thousand."
"Which company will be the first to bid!"
The Deputy Director appeared very excited, and it was indeed a moment for him to be excited.
This bidding conference was undoubtedly a tremendously profitable event for Zhongnan Television.
This slot was considered the second-best prime-time spot.
Although it only offered a limited time of eight seconds, its value was well over two hundred thousand.
One must realize that while the audience for the prime-time drama at around 7:40 might be smaller, the weather forecast was a program that many people would not miss.
If one turned off the television only slightly later, missing the weather forecast would be unavoidable. This slot, therefore, naturally became an excellent and desirable position.
Compared to the most crucial and highest-valued slot before the drama, everyone was aware of the intensity of competition for this particular slot.
"One hundred and thirty-five thousand! I bid one hundred and thirty-five thousand!"
Indeed, as soon as the Deputy Director finished speaking, the bidding began.