Chapter 167: Premiere Ratings

Sitting at home in his Hefei apartment, Zhang Tan and his parents waited together for the broadcast of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Although he hadn't seen the final cut of the television series, Zhang Tan was brimming with confidence. While visiting the production set, he had witnessed the grand scale of the filming and the meticulous craftsmanship, planting a deep assurance in his heart. His script synthesized the essence of three different versions of the story, and it wouldn't be subpar.

As long as the editor didn't hack away blindly and the integrity of the drama remained intact, it was bound to be a stellar production.

What remained to be seen now was just how captivating The Legend of the Condor Heroes would prove to be and what kind of ratings it would pull in.

Ratings were the most direct gauge of whether a television series would ignite in popularity.

The legendary drama *My Fair Princess 1 and 2*, touted as a divine show a few years prior, had reportedly achieved astonishing ratings of 47% and 54%, which could only be described as defying the heavens. Of course, during that era, professional statistical institutions were lacking, with only CSM Media Research and ACNielsen operating, and neither had completed their network coverage of measurement devices.

Up until this year, 2004, CSM Media Research possessed merely three provincial measurement networks and twenty-four city measurement networks, covering a sample size of thirty thousand households.

Much of the data back then was extrapolated rather than accurately measured.

Yet today, CSM Media Research was finally capable of speaking with concrete evidence, providing nearly accurate figures.

The more precise the data became, the harder it was to inflate ratings. Furthermore, with an ever-growing number of television stations, an increasing influx of exceptional dramas, and expanding choices for viewers, it had become exceedingly difficult to replicate the mythological ratings of the past.

Back in the day, *The Secret History of the Enemy Camp* once commanded an exaggerated rating of 99%, but nowadays, securing a 6% rating qualified a series as a major hit. Even the 2003 Spring Festival Gala achieved only a 33.8% rating.

Thus far this year, only a single television series had broken the 6% ratings barrier: *Mother-in-Law*, broadcast on CCTV-1, which garnered an average rating of 6.19% and a market share of 13.77%.

Regional television stations had it even rougher. Among the top three stations in ratings—Hunan Satellite TV, Anhui Satellite TV, and Zhejiang Satellite TV—none had managed to air a drama surpassing a 5% rating this year.

"As long as we can break a 5% rating, *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* will be a resounding success!"

Warmth surged through Zhang Tan's heart.

He awaited the broadcast with a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

As for Zhang Tan's parents, their excitement was laced with tension. This was a television series adapted from their son's work; its success or failure mattered immensely.

Waiting was a form of torture.

Commercials had never felt so agonizingly long.

Finally, at 7:34 PM, Zhejiang Satellite TV commenced the broadcast of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* right on schedule.

Dun-dun-dun-dun-dun.

A rapid, rising sequence of string instruments played, sounding like beating drums accompanied by zithers.

The imagery on screen opened with a vast desert. Ten thousand horses galloped across the sands, an army launched a sudden raid, and the camera continuously shifted between wide and close-up shots.

"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah..." Female and male voices chanted in the distance, harmonizing like the shifting desert sands.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong appeared on screen.

The man was dashing, the woman stunning.

The female voice began to sing: "Past dreams linger in memory, ripples stir within the heart."

The male voice followed: "Cast aside worldly matters, sever all grudges and grievances."

Together, they harmonized: "Accompanying you to the edge of the heavens."

The visuals continuously showcased highlights from the entire series—glimpses of Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Yang Kang, Mu Nianci, Mei Chaofeng, Huang Yaoshi, Ouyang Feng, Hong Qigong, and Zhou Botong flashed by, appearing one after another, lingering for a split second or freezing for two or three seconds.

Before they knew it, the viewers were drawn directly into the atmosphere of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.

The righteousness of country and clan, intertwined with the deep affections of youth.

"Though enduring a hundred trials, it remains within the heart; grace and duty are hard to sever."

As the song concluded, the scene abruptly shifted to Guo Jing, drawing his bow to shoot a pair of giant eagles, the camera zooming in from afar.

Then, zooming out from close up, a flock of giant eagles flew past, crying out into the distance.

Five bold characters froze on the screen.

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes."

Beside them appeared a line of smaller text.

"Original Work — Tan Zhang."

...

"This song isn't half bad." The father, who was less than thrilled about his son watching a martial arts drama, gave an unexpected nod of approval to the theme song.

Their son immediately boasted, "This is *Iron-Blooded Danxin*, personally arranged by Tan Zhang, the author of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. Both the lyrics and the composition are top-tier."

The mother, busy knitting, said unhappily, "So impressive. Why bother writing martial arts shows then?"

"What's wrong with writing wuxia novels? Wuxia novels make money! He made it onto the Forbes China Celebrity List, ranking thirty-third with an annual income of 5.5 million! He's China's youngest author, only eighteen years old this year!" The son spoke with his eyes glued unwaveringly to the television screen.

The drama had already begun playing, depicting Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin fighting desperately against government soldiers amidst the biting wind and snow.

Hearing that the author Tan Zhang was only eighteen years old, both parents looked utterly astonished. "He earned over five million at eighteen? And he made some celebrity list?"

The mother lowered her knitting, shaking her head in disbelief. "How can someone be that formidable? He's only eighteen."

Without turning his head, the son retorted, "When he wrote *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, Detective Tan was only sixteen!"

"He could make a TV show at sixteen?"

"He didn't make it, his novel was adapted. Big Beard Zhang and the others produced it, and he was the screenwriter. Tan Zhang is insanely awesome! He started writing novels when he was fifteen. *The Four Great Constables* was a massive hit over in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The moment *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* was written, it caused a sensation across all of Asia. Anyone who could read Chinese and loved wuxia couldn't help but adore *Condor*!"

The son spoke with absolute conviction.

Bragging about his idol as if sharing in the glory, as a devout wuxia fan, he had long since become a die-hard reader of Zhang Tan, and he was currently showing signs of evolving into a full-blown fanboy.

However, he overlooked one crucial detail: his old man had always vehemently opposed him reading wuxia.

Consequently.

Whack!

His father slapped him across the back of the head and scolded, "Look at you, all day long you do nothing but read wuxia. Did you finish studying? The guy was writing novels at sixteen, and what about you? All you know how to do is play!"

Struck by his father, the son dared not speak his anger aloud and hastily deflected, "Can we just watch the television quietly?"

Having delivered the slap, the father's anger dissipated. He shifted a bit of his attention toward the television, while the mother shook off her shock, resuming her knitting as she watched the screen.

On television, the Guo and Yang families had suffered absolute tragedy, with only two widowed wives escaping. Qiu Chuji arrived to offer rescue, but misled by a villain, he mistakenly and wrongfully killed Master Jiaomu. Elsewhere, Bao Xiruo was deceived by Wanyan Honglie. The plot was remarkably intricate, their fates immensely torturous, and the layers of injustice baffling.

Before the television set sat a family of four. Aside from their young daughter, who yawned as she played with a doll, the other three remained silent, watching the screen intently.

The son was instantly enthralled, even though he had already read the original work, finding himself filled with anticipation for the unfolding plot.

As for the parents, who started with a lack of indifference, they gradually grew concerned for the fates of the characters in the show. Once invested, there was no turning back.

When the commercial break came on, in a rare turn of events, the two actually asked their son about the plot of the drama.

They even forgot to change the station during the commercials.

In the blink of an eye, the first episode of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* came to an end. The song *Who is the Great Hero* prompted the father to nod once more in approval. "This show really isn't bad at all, especially these two songs at the beginning and the end. They sound quite atmospheric."

...

Over on the Tianya forums, the thread titled "Anyone else waiting for the broadcast with me?" already boasted over two hundred replies within half an hour, with the number continuously climbing. Many netizens who couldn't receive Zhejiang Satellite TV were lingering in the thread, waiting for someone to provide a text-based live recap.

Yet when the broadcast time arrived, the live updates were nowhere to be seen.

Irritated netizens flooded the replies, berating the user who had promised the live updates for lacking integrity.

After a lengthy tirade, the original poster of the live thread finally replied.

"Sorry about that, I got too engrossed in watching the TV and forgot to update. Since it's commercial time now, let me give a brief summary. *Condor* is filmed really well; the costumes and styling are very deliberate. Judging by the first twenty minutes, it stays true to the novel's plot. But the main characters haven't even appeared yet, so there's not much else to say."

As soon as the original poster resurfaced, dozens of people unable to watch the show immediately replied with a barrage of questions.

"What does Bao Xiruo look like?"

"Are the martial arts choreography and camera work good?"

"Does the visual presentation look nice?"

"Has Guo Jing's mother escaped to the desert yet?"

And so on.

The poster gave a few brief replies before announcing, "Commercials are over, I'm going back to watching. I'll share my impressions later."

In this intermittent fashion, the poster popped up a few times, each time giving brief updates on the plot's progress and the characters' appearances. Rather than satisfying the netizens' curiosity, it only whetted their appetites further.

When the two episodes broadcast for the day finally concluded, the thread was instantly flooded with netizens who had finished watching.

"It feels pretty good, I've decided to follow this series."

"Watched it with my parents; both mom and dad said it was good, and I thought so too."

"Two episodes is way too short, it's not enough to satisfy the craving."

"It was utterly riveting. Even my mom said it was good, and she never watches martial arts shows."

"It's filmed with great care, though Guo Jing's entrance feels a bit dragged out—it's been two episodes and he still hasn't shown his face."

"How come I feel it's just average?"

"Truly a major production! There are so many wide-angle shots; it's much more refined than the old Hong Kong and Taiwanese martial arts dramas. With Detective Tan personally adapting the script, everything follows the novel's storyline—steady and unhurriedly unfolding. This show is definitely going to blow up!"

"I'm going to go check the ratings later and see if we can crush Hunan TV."

"I have a hunch that Big Zhejiang TV is about to rise to prominence thanks to *Condor*."

"The theme song sounds great, and the ending song is wonderful too. After watching, my dad even hummed along with the God of Songs, saying the vocals had immense power."

"You guys are making my hands itch with curiosity, but I can't find a way to watch it! My family doesn't have cable!"

"My little brother in the first grade of primary school didn't want to watch cartoons this time; he watched the entirety of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* with me. When I asked him if it was good, he said yes, haha."

"Even my grandma loves watching it."

...

Following the broadcast of the first two episodes of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, the online reception was overwhelmingly positive. Meanwhile, over at the Zhejiang Radio and Television Center, Vice Station Chief Zhu was anxiously waiting for staff members to bring back the sample ratings survey data.

Vice Station Chief Zhu was on duty tonight, specifically tasked with following up on the ratings of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. It was he who had originally proposed purchasing this television series. To secure the broadcast rights, Zhejiang Satellite TV had spent a hefty sum, beating out both Anhui Satellite TV and Shandong Satellite TV. If the ratings proved disappointing, it would deal a heavy blow to his career advancement.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

Startled into alertness, Vice Station Chief Zhu hurriedly called out, "Come in."

Recognizing the employee from the technical department, Vice Station Chief Zhu immediately inquired, "Little Zhao, what are the ratings? Did it hit three points?" The previous drama that Zhejiang Satellite TV had just finished airing scored a 3% rating—a barely acceptable result.

Little Zhao pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, opened the notebook in his hand, glanced at it, and said, "The rating for the first episode is 3.25%..."

"3.25%, phew. Not bad, acceptable." Vice Station Chief Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this figure was presentable enough—at least the ratings hadn't dropped.

Yet, a trace of lingering disappointment stirred in his heart. *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* had been purchased at a massive cost; it should have delivered an even more stellar performance.

Just as Vice Station Chief Zhu felt that flicker of disappointment, Little Zhao continued, "The rating for the second episode rose to 4.62%..." (To be continued.)