Although these streaming platforms seemed to have more money than sense, they weren’t actually stupid. When it came to calculations, they were extremely shrewd.
Liu Liang considered for a moment, then asked, “What’s the attitude of the other streaming platforms?”
The employee who came to report answered, “They also think it’s too expensive and are trying to negotiate a lower price with the Longyu Group.”
Liu Liang nodded. “Hmm, I’ll communicate with the managers of the other streaming platforms later. We need to reach a consensus on this issue. This price is too high—it would only be acceptable if it were reduced to around 7 million!”
In Liu Liang’s view, ICL’s popularity would definitely not reach even half of GPL’s. The extra money they were paying was only in consideration of FV team’s recent championship victory.
Of course, the Longyu Group certainly wouldn’t give in so easily, and both sides would definitely engage in lengthy price negotiations.
But Liu Liang was confident that as long as several streaming platforms united to push down the price, the Longyu Group would definitely be the one to concede in the end.
Even if they couldn’t get too much of a concession, they still had to strive for an acceptable price point.
Although these streaming platforms usually competed fiercely with each other, almost fighting like dogs, the vice presidents maintained cordial relations on the surface. The proposed price for the ICL league was inflated, and no one wanted to be the sucker. Joining forces to lower the price aligned with all streaming platforms’ common interests, so there was no worry about cooperation.
The reporting employee nodded and withdrew.
Liu Liang turned to the product managers and programmers in the meeting room. “All right, let’s continue discussing this new feature!”
“Starting this week with 996 work hours, completing development within a month shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
—–
That evening.
Shanghai, Longyu Group headquarters.
In the conference room, Eric was fuming.
“There’s a limit to price negotiations! You think you can get ICL broadcasting rights for just 6 or 7 million? Dream on!”
Over the past two days, the Longyu Group had been in contact with various major streaming platforms, informing them about the upcoming ICL league, while also disclosing the approximate price: 11 million for broadcasting rights.
Actually, Eric had initially wanted to set the broadcasting rights price even higher than GPL’s, but Zhao Xuming had stopped him.
Eric’s consideration was that setting the price too low would be like admitting defeat, essentially acknowledging that ICL league’s popularity and commercial value couldn’t compare to GPL’s.
But Zhao Xuming was more practical and repeatedly advised that currently, ICL league’s popularity and commercial value being inferior to GPL’s was simply a fact! Setting such a high price with no buyers would just be embarrassing, wouldn’t it?
So after much consideration, Eric finally set the price at 11 million—1 million lower than GPL’s price.
Eric had his reasons: ioi was currently one of the most popular games worldwide, overseas league slots were selling smoothly at good prices, and ICL was ioi’s champion division. Setting the price too low would invite ridicule.
Although 11 million was slightly expensive, domestic streaming platforms were fighting like dogs for popularity, so surely someone would buy it.
However, after negotiating with several major domestic streaming platforms, their reactions were surprisingly uniform: too expensive!
Most streaming platforms were willing to pay around 6 or 7 million, almost cutting Eric’s asking price in half.
How could Eric accept this?
ICL league was one of his important means to promote ioi. Broadcasting rights were sold for an entire season. If they sold low from the start, wouldn’t these streaming platforms benefit unfairly after the ICL league gained popularity through expensive promotion? Wouldn’t Finger Company lose big time?
So, Eric was unwilling to sell cheap, streaming platforms were unwilling to be suckers, and both sides were at an impasse.
Eric looked toward Zhao Xuming. “Zhao, what do you think?”
Zhao Xuming quickly replied, “I think we definitely need to lower the price.”
“Please don’t get angry, let me finish.”
“I know that ioi’s overseas league slots sell well, as ioi has good influence abroad.”
“But we must consider the special situation of the national server, right?”
“The national server of ioi is suffering the most severe pressure from GOG, with few players remaining and insufficient popularity. These streaming platforms may not be short on money, but they prefer to pay premium prices for highly popular events, while trying to negotiate down prices and control costs for events with average popularity.”
“Moreover, when several streaming platforms unite to lower prices, their interests align, making it difficult to divide and conquer them.”
“So I think lowering the broadcasting rights to 8 million, with a total price of over 40 million, would be reasonable.”
“Let’s first establish and popularize the league, then we can sell at a higher price next season.”
“But we certainly shouldn’t lower the price directly, or it would give the impression that we’re pushovers. These streaming platforms might not be satisfied and continue to push for even lower prices.”
“What we should do now is quickly promote the ICL league to generate sufficient buzz. Once the popularity rises and streaming platforms recognize its value, their alliance will naturally collapse, and platforms will privately approach us to buy ICL league’s broadcasting rights.”
After listening, Eric nodded. “Hmm, that makes sense.”
“Ultimately, we need to make these streaming platforms see the popularity.”
“How’s the ICL promotional video coming along?”
Zhao Xuming said, “Rest assured, it’s already done! This time we gathered all the domestic veteran clubs and star players to film the promotional video, capturing many scenes in Shanghai. The effect is absolutely amazing!”
“Additionally, we’ve learned from the lessons of the world championship promotional video and added many cool special effects to the promotional video. It’s definitely top-notch!”
Previously, when Zhao Xuming was making the world championship departure promotional video, it unfortunately coincided with GPL’s spring season promotional video and was utterly outshined.
GPL’s spring season promotional video used pure CG, completely overshadowing Zhao Xuming’s traditional approach.
So this time Zhao Xuming was smarter, incorporating many cool special effects and game elements into the promotional video. While capturing many Shanghai landmarks, he used CG technology to integrate players, scenes, and game characters, creating a promotional video that he was very satisfied with.
The reason they didn’t copy GPL’s pure CG format was mainly to avoid criticism.
Now this version neither copied GPL nor compromised on style or quality. The large sum spent was truly worth it.
Zhao Xuming was very confident about this.
Eric nodded. “Very good. Get ready to release it tomorrow, and follow up with related promotional warm-ups immediately. We must quickly boost ICL league’s popularity!”
—–
February 29th, Wednesday.
Tenda Group, Advertising and Marketing Department.
Meng Chang was carefully watching the promotional video “Breaking the Cocoon Before Becoming a Butterfly,” while marveling at these young men’s high work efficiency.
The entire promotional video essentially told the story of a gaming-addicted teenager whose e-sports dream was shattered. The plot was straightforward and easy to understand, and the filming process went very smoothly.
Meng Chang had deliberately embedded some details in the promotional video, such as the training environment of e-sports clubs, salary packages, future security, and so on, leaving them for viewers to discover.
It had to be said that the promotional video from Bunny Tail Live had hit Meng Chang hard.
He never imagined that while planning to attack the entire streaming industry, how could it end up having a positive promotional effect on Bunny Tail Live?
It could only be said that he had been outmaneuvered by Mr. Pei!
But this time was different.
Bunny Tail Live was an emerging industry that hadn’t even launched yet, making it relatively easy to change. Mr. Pei, being deliberate against the unwary, could naturally succeed easily.
But the e-sports industry had existed for so long that various chronic problems were difficult to resolve. Besides, as far as Meng Chang knew, Mr. Pei hadn’t managed Tenda’s e-sports sector for several months.
Surely this couldn’t be manipulated by Mr. Pei again, right?
Having failed twice in a row, Meng Chang was eager to redeem himself.
It was already the end of the month, and soon the promotional effectiveness of these plans would be evaluated and salaries paid. Given the current situation, Meng Chang definitely wouldn’t receive a penny in commission.
But what if the e-sports promotional video achieved a good reverse promotional effect after its release?
There might still be a chance for commission.
So, Meng Chang was also anxious and prepared to release the promotional video as soon as it was completed.
After watching it several times, Meng Chang felt it was good to go.
So he immediately made the decision and released the promotional video online!
—–
Meanwhile, in Shanghai.
Wolf Fang Live headquarters.
Zhao Xuming had just arrived, intending to discuss ICL broadcasting rights with Wolf Fang Live’s Vice President Zhu Yan.
Unlike YY Live and ZZ Live and other established streaming platforms, Wolf Fang Live was a rising star with very rapid development and formidable financial backing.
Moreover, Wolf Fang Live was a relatively “masculine” platform, focusing mainly on gaming content, with mostly down-to-earth streamers on the platform.
Therefore, Zhao Xuming had specially come here, hoping to find a breakthrough.
Previously, several major streaming platforms unanimously felt that ICL’s broadcasting rights were overpriced and wanted to unite to push down the price. On one hand, Zhao Xuming released ICL’s promotional video and bought massive exposure, creating an illusion that ICL was extremely popular and highly anticipated; on the other hand, he tried to contact and persuade these streaming platforms privately.
Wolf Fang Live focused on gaming business, had strong financial resources, and its headquarters was in Shanghai—making it the prime target from all perspectives.
After briefly exchanging pleasantries in the reception room, they quickly got down to business.
Zhao Xuming asked, “Mr. Zhu must have already seen ICL’s promotional video, right?”
Zhu Yan nodded. “Yes, I’ve seen it. It’s really well made! The players, Shanghai’s scenery, and the game heroes are all integrated together, giving people a refreshing feeling.”
“Especially the scene where the five members of FV team appear—the barrage of comments almost covered the entire screen, showing how popular they are.”
“The popularity and response after the promotional video’s release were quite good, truly beyond expectations.”
Zhao Xuming smiled slightly. “Of course.”
“Mr. Zhu, some streaming platforms think ICL’s broadcasting rights are a bit expensive, which I completely understand. After all, in terms of popularity, ioi is indeed quite far behind GOG.”
“But future popularity should also be considered.”
“Finger Company has decided to spend big money promoting ioi domestically. You must have heard some news, right? This promotional video was a huge investment, but it’s just an appetizer. There will be more promotions in the future.”
“When it comes to burning money, Finger Company will absolutely not back down!”
“And our Longyu Group will fully cooperate with Finger Company. In the future, ioi’s national server market share will definitely continue to expand, and ICL league’s popularity will definitely continue to rise!”
“If this factor is also taken into consideration, the 11 million asking price is actually very reasonable.”
“Furthermore, to show sincerity…”
Zhao Xuming deliberately lowered his voice. “We can also make some price concessions, knocking off one or two million to build friendship. For the financially powerful Finger Company, it’s nothing.”
“But such favorable conditions won’t always be available. Mr. Zhu, you’d better make plans early.”
Zhu Yan was silent for a moment, not answering immediately, but instead picking up the teacup on the table and taking a sip.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s expression, Zhao Xuming was slightly surprised.
Why did it feel like Zhu Yan wasn’t persuaded at all?
Zhu Yan paused slightly, then said slowly, “Mr. Zhao, I’ve already seen ICL’s promotional video, and it’s very well made.”
“But if I’m not mistaken, you probably haven’t seen the e-sports promotional video that Tenda just released, have you?”