Zhao Xiaofei, the chief director of the "Masked Singer" program, is also one of China's few first-class directors.
The immense influence of "Masked Singer" in China is not only due to the novel masked theme of the participants but also greatly attributed to his capabilities.
The perennial rival of "Masked Singer" has always been Hunan TV's "I Am a Singer."
These two "Singer" programs represent the pinnacle of Chinese music variety shows.
Naturally, those involved in the variety show circuit also have a group chat.
The group includes directors of various large and small programs, where they usually exchange insights. Occasionally, Zhao Xiaofei also shares knowledge with new directors in the group.
"It's one hour until eight o'clock, and this episode is about to start."
"'I Am a Singer' and 'Masked Singer' have been competing since their inception, with ratings trading the top spot. Guess who will take first place this week?"
"I guess 'Masked Singer.' After all, a singer is unmasked in this episode, and everyone online is speculating about the overwhelming popularity of the masked singer."
"'I Am a Singer' also has a challenger singer. I heard it's a long-established king of singers, and the anticipation is through the roof. I think 'I Am a Singer' has a high probability of taking first place in viewership ratings this time."
"Did you forget about 'Harmonious Melody'? Ting Yu's new song premiere?" As everyone was chatting enthusiastically, a director suddenly said in the group.
"Uh... although Ting Yu's new song is very attractive, 'Harmonious Melody' cannot compare to the other two programs at all. Its viewership ratings don't even amount to a fraction. Perhaps riding on Ting Yu's popularity this time will boost some ratings, but I don't think it will be much."
"Exactly, it's not about Ting Yu, it's about the program's scale."
"We've been making programs for so many years, but we've never encountered a new song that could cause a surge in ratings. Moreover, people don't need to listen to the song immediately; they can listen to it on platforms after the program airs. However, something like a masked singer being unmasked is more appealing."
"I agree with Teacher Zhang."
These directors have been in the variety show business for many years.
They have seen many such situations.
Previously, when the renowned composer Mo Yan released a new song on a variety show, although it influenced the ratings, it only increased them by about 3%.
"Harmonious Melody" usually has ratings of around 0.8%, while "Masked Singer" and "I Am a Singer" have ratings of around 6% on average.
The gap is too large, an insurmountable chasm in their eyes.
...
At seven in the evening, "Harmonious Melody" is about to air.
The program's high-level management is closely monitoring online buzz.
The top spot on the trending searches has been secured.
Closely following it is the trending search for the "Masked Singer" unmasking battle.
The third trending search is for the challenger singer on "I Am a Singer."
"If we maintain this level of popularity, our ratings could reach at least 3%!" The chief director's face was beaming with a smile.
"Director, I think with Ting Yu's divine blessing, we might even break five!" said the head of the publicity team.
As soon as he finished speaking.
The entire conference room suddenly fell silent.
Everyone looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"Wh-what's wrong?" The head of the publicity team was taken aback.
"You really dare to imagine. You've been in this industry for several years; you should know what it means to break five in ratings," the chief director said, his forehead covered in black lines.
In recent years, in Chinese variety shows, only the two hottest "Singer" programs have managed to break 6% in ratings.
Programs like "Harmonious Melody," with ratings in the tenths of a percent, are the most common.
"But... but it's Ting Yu's new song!" The head of the publicity team was a bit unconvinced.
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, "We know it's Ting Yu's new song, but it's not Ting Yu himself coming."
"And even if he himself participated in our program, it's unlikely he could directly make the ratings break five..."
"Stop daydreaming. Breaking three is already incredible!"
For programs with usual ratings in the tenths of a percent, reaching three is already a several-fold increase. Such results surpass the vast majority of variety shows.
Bonuses are inevitable.
...
At eight in the evening.
The program started on time.
As the program aired, the previously fervent online atmosphere seemed to inexplicably decrease in intensity at a certain moment.
During prime time, many people, after finishing their meals, would sit on the sofa with their families to watch television.
With the advent of the internet era, such times when families watch TV and chat together are becoming increasingly rare.
More often, after dinner, each family member does their own thing – some browse their phones, others play games.
At some point, communication between family members also gradually decreased.
However, tonight, many families turned on the television, which they hadn't watched in a while, because they wanted to listen to their idol's new song. In the past, parents liked idols from older generations, and children liked idols from their own generation. Now, the idols of parents and children have become the same person.
In one family, the remote control was controlled by the mother.
"I hope it's a square dance song."
"Mom, Ting Yu has already released so many square dance songs; it's definitely a love song!"
"I think it's about fathers, because our uncle fans have been asking for it online for so long."
The family watched the TV, discussing Ting Yu.
The generation gap between parents and children also disappeared at this moment.
...
Liu Wen is a worker in a garment factory.
In her forties, her life is ordinary, making her one of countless ordinary people.
A few days ago, her father passed away from illness, and she took leave to handle the funeral.
After several days, the matters were finally settled.
Her husband was still outside chatting with relatives.
Dragging her tired body, she collapsed onto the sofa.
She had a very good relationship with her father. From his death until now, she thought she would be very sad and lose emotional control, but surprisingly, she felt very calm, just a sense of emptiness. Apart from a slight discomfort, there was nothing else.
She had been busy these past few days, so busy that she couldn't calm down.
Now, she could finally lie down and rest for a while.
But it was only for a while.
Because there were still some finishing tasks to be done tomorrow.
At this moment, her eight-year-old daughter, Xiao Tong, holding half a watermelon, came to her side, climbed onto the sofa, sat cross-legged, and placed the watermelon on her lap.
"Mom, eat watermelon." She held a spoon, scooped out a piece, and offered it to Liu Wen.
"It's so sweet, thank you, baby." Even though she was very tired, she didn't want to show these negative emotions when facing her daughter.
"Mom, I want to watch TV. Brother Ting Yu is releasing a new song tonight." Xiao Tong ate the watermelon, her big eyes blinking.
She knew that Mom liked Brother Ting Yu's songs the most.
Even her phone ringtone was his song "Blue and White Porcelain."
"Then let's watch for a while, and then go to sleep, okay?" Liu Wen's lips curved slightly, and she picked up the remote control to turn on the television.
"Mmm-hmm." Xiao Tong nodded obediently.
Then she rested her small head on her mother's shoulder.
The mother and daughter watched TV while eating watermelon.