I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 209 Youyou's Little Thoughts

The popularity and data of the first episode of "Singer" have indeed declined significantly compared to the previous season.

But even so, it is still Mango TV's program with the highest investment and attention this year.

As a result, it has now been surpassed by this issue of "Autumn Concert".

Director Deng Baoliang didn't know whether to be happy or sad for a moment.

The main thing is that it is definitely a good thing if the program achieves good results.

But what I am more afraid of is stealing the leader’s limelight.

After all, Wu Youxue is personally in charge of "Singer".

……

On the other hand, with the popularity of the song "Meeting", the discussion about Su Zhi's new album and subsequent concerts has reached a terrifying level.

The two previous times, they only contacted the two major music platforms of Su Zhi Studio once, but this time they finally sent someone to Beijing in person.

"We can start talking now."

After hearing Xu Kong's words, Yuan Yinan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The main thing is that the two major music platforms are not fools. They can naturally see that Su Zhi is waiting for a good price.

The previous two times, seeing how popular the album was, Yuan Yinan felt that it was the best time to negotiate the copyright fees.

It’s just that Xu Kong proved twice in a row that his decision was correct.

Since the pre-release song "The Wind Rises", the popularity of Su Zhi's new album has indeed been increasing.

Moreover, the copyright fees quoted by people from both QQ Music and Penguin Music are getting higher and higher.

Now it has reached tens of millions.

Even if both parties want to sign an exclusive copyright agreement, copyright fees of tens of millions, mainly for an album, are quite rare in the current Chinese music scene.

……

"There is no such thing as a low price. We just sign with whoever offers the highest price."

Yuan Yinan was stunned for a moment.

"Aren't you going with us?"

She had subconsciously thought that Xu Kong would definitely participate in the negotiations with the two major music platforms this time.

And they are already prepared to let the other party take full control of the main voice.

Unexpectedly, Xu Kong didn't plan to go.

"It doesn't make much difference whether I go or not."

Xu Kong replied calmly.

At present, among the major domestic music platforms, for Su Zhi, the best choices are definitely QQ Music and Penguin Music.

The reason we kept dragging it on was to wait until the album became popular enough to prove its value before discussing copyright fees.

But Xu Kong also knew that copyright fees must be negotiated, and there was no such thing as refusing to give in until the expected price was reached.

This would seem a bit too much.

It would be unnecessary to offend the music platform.

After all, the number of users over there is there, so we have to cooperate with them.

And now is indeed the most appropriate time, although after Su Zhi’s concert starts, it may attract another wave of attention from netizens.

But it is estimated that the copyright fee that the platform can accept in the end will definitely not increase too much.

……

"Sister Yunxiang, according to the information I received, Su Zhi's agent is planning to talk to both of us at the same time."

After hearing the assistant's words, Ran Yunxiang, the copyright manager of Cloud Music, was also slightly stunned.

"They have no intention of hiding it."

Although she had known about it for a long time, Penguin Music also sent someone over this time, most likely to discuss the album copyright with Su Zhi.

But it is indeed rare to see a company like Su Zhi Studio directly bringing people from two platforms together for discussions.

"But it's a good thing, at least we don't have to wait that long."

Although Su Zhi is a singing queen, if it was just an ordinary singing queen's new album, it would not be necessary for Ran Yunxiang, the person in charge, to make a personal trip.

The main reason is that Su Zhi's album, which only contains three songs, is so popular.

Moreover, the data performance of the three singles on their platforms is very exaggerated.

As for general song copyrights, the most Cloud Music can do is strive for them. It would be great if it could buy them, but if they are gone, it will not actually have much impact on the platform.

But Su Zhi's album really has reached the level of influencing the users of their platform.

If the copyright is obtained by the other party, these three songs alone will be enough to cause a decline in the platform's monthly active users in a short period of time.

In addition to the copyright of Su Zhi's new album, Ran Yunxiang also had other purposes for coming here in person this time.

It's not like their platform hasn't cooperated with Su Zhi before. Although it wasn't Ran Yunxiang who was personally responsible for it, it's easy to imagine that this time, the reluctance to discuss copyright fees is most likely related to the production of Xu Kong's album.

Moreover, the copyright of the songs in Su Zhi's album is also in Xu Kong's hands.

So in addition to Su Zhi's album, what Ran Yunxiang actually wanted to negotiate the most was the copyright of Xu Kong's works.

Most of Xu Kong’s previous songs, especially the OSTs (original soundtracks) of several dramas, were licensed by both platforms.

Although the copyright fees are not low, judging from the data performance, they are definitely at an exaggerated level.

For example, several of the previous interludes of "Legend of Sword and Fairy", including the song "Looking Back" some time ago, are all hit singles.

If possible, Cloud Music would definitely hope to obtain exclusive copyright from Xu Kong.

The most important thing is Xu Kong’s first album, which has been rumored for a long time.

This is the key copyright that Ran Yunxiang is determined to obtain even if it costs a huge price.

……

That afternoon, in a hidden high-end cafe in Beijing, Ran Yunxiang met her old acquaintance and rival.

"Mr. Wang, long time no see."

Looking at Ran Yunxiang, who was smiling and shaking hands with him enthusiastically, Wang Hongyi also greeted her very naturally.

"Mr. Ran, it's been a long time since we had the chance to sit down and have a good chat."

Penguin Music and Cloud Music are the two major music platform giants in China.

The two of them were naturally very familiar with each other.

In other words, the two have known each other for quite a long time.

The two had already met when domestic music copyright was still imperfect in all aspects, the two platforms did not even have much influence, and all kinds of pirated audio sources were everywhere.

However, with the improvement of various industry systems and copyright-related laws, most of the domestic users have actually been divided up by the two companies.

Things like disputes over various copyrights are not uncommon.

But most of the time, it is the people below the company who are responsible.

It was very rare for the two leaders, Ran Yunxiang and Wang Hongyi, to go to negotiations in person, let alone sit face to face like this. It was almost many years ago.

……

However, although they were old acquaintances reminiscing about the past, after all, their identities and positions were there, so it was inevitable that there was something hidden in the words they spoke.

It's nothing more than mocking the other party's previous shady tricks.

But after all, both sides are not clean, and it seems a bit painless.

Soon, Yuan Yinan, the inviter, arrived.

Originally, Su Zhi was going to come, but later on, because she had to go and finalize the schedule for the subsequent concert and other games and other miscellaneous matters, Yuan Yinan came alone.

But even if Su Zhi came, she probably wouldn't say anything.

For matters like this, she usually gave full authority to Yuan Yinan.

"Ms. Yuan, you are really hard to make an appointment with." Wang Hongyi stood up and shook hands with Yuan Yinan with a smile.

Penguin Music had contacted Su Zhi Studio several times before, but was rejected every time.

This was the first time we met after Su Zhi’s new album was released.

Of course, although the copyright fees for Su Zhi’s new album were not discussed, the two platforms were very considerate and several of Su Zhi’s songs received the top promotional resources from the two music platforms.

……

Soon, after chatting for a while, Ran Yunxiang took the lead in giving the quotation from Cloud Music.

"Three years, twenty to three million in copyright fees."

This price is definitely not low.

What's more, this time Su Zhi is only offering the price for a single album.

Yuan Yinan did not rush to give his answer, but looked towards Wang Hongyi.

"Twenty-five million."

Wang Hongyi said this without changing his expression.

Before he came, he indeed did not expect to bid face to face with Ran Yunxiang.

However, it is not a bad thing that Su Zhi Studio chose such a direct approach.

At the very least it will save a lot of trouble, appear to be open and honest, save more time, and everyone can finalize the copyright fee issue at one time.

……

Although Yuan Yinnan didn't seem to have changed much on the surface, he was still a little excited at this moment.

After all, this is the first time since Su Zhi debuted that the copyright fee for her album has reached such a frighteningly high level.

In fact, Cloud Music had previously quoted a copyright fee of eight million per year.

Now it seems that the price is only two thousand three for three years, which is a bit lower.

But for things like music copyright fees, the highest is actually only in the first year. They will be greatly discounted in subsequent years. It is even very common for the fees to be cut in half in the second year.

So, giving more than 20 million for three years is definitely a very high offer.

I have to say, if I had negotiated the copyright fees directly with the platform before the album was released, I would definitely not have gotten such a price.

Xu Kong's original plan was indeed implemented perfectly.

However, Yuan Yinan also knows that this kind of operation cannot be replicated by just any singer.

After all, apart from Xu Kong, no one else probably has enough confidence to ensure that his new album will be a big hit.

If it fails, it will be difficult to get even the most basic copyright fee quote in the beginning, and in the end you will have to sell it at a loss.

……

"We can offer up to 25 million."

Ran Yunxiang also spoke at this time.

Cloud Music has not raised its prices, which means that this is roughly their psychological price point.

In fact, for Su Zhi's album, it doesn't make much difference who the two sides collaborate with.

The best thing is definitely to be available on both platforms, so that the scope of dissemination can be increased to a certain extent.

"How about this, the two of you consider buying the copyright together?"

Ran Yunxiang and the others naturally understood what Yuan Yinnan meant.

This means asking them to give up their exclusive copyright.

……

The three parties subsequently talked for a whole afternoon.

After a long struggle, QQ Music and Penguin Music paid 12 million yuan in copyright fees and jointly obtained the copyright of Su Zhi's new album for three years.

Although it is certain that Ran Yunxiang had thought differently at first.

But this is indeed the most reasonable solution.

The copyright fee of more than 20 million is indeed a bit too expensive, but she doesn't want to see Su Zhi's album, which is so popular and well-received, become exclusive to the other party.

The only solution is to pay the copyright fee together.

This means that there is no change from before, and the two platforms are at the same starting point.

As for Su Zhi, although the copyright fee was reduced by one million, the album can continue to be released on two platforms, and its dissemination will definitely be much greater.

The money wasn't so wasted.

……

For Yuan Yinan, such copyright fees are already quite satisfactory.

Because at the beginning, she never thought that one day she would be able to bring such a huge income to the studio from the copyright fees of an album.

Xu Kong guessed one thing correctly. Since Su Zhi Studio started to operate independently last year, it has indeed been running at a loss for a long time.

Basically, it was Su Zhi herself who lost money in the studio.

The main reason is that the original brokerage company has always been taking a commission and does not bear the various operating costs and expenses.

However, after paying the copyright fees for this album, the studio was able to make a lot of money back.

Especially for Su Zhi's tour this time, the overall cost is not low.

The scale is almost the largest since the other party debuted.

The concert was indeed entrusted to an outside company.

It depends on how the tickets for the subsequent show in Beijing sell.

With more than 70,000 tickets, Yuan Yinan estimated that the attendance rate should be able to reach more than 80%.

Mainly relying on the popularity of the new album, the tickets for Su Zhi’s concert should not sell too badly.

……

While Yuan Yinan was negotiating copyright fees with the two major music platforms, Xu Kong had already arrived at the gate of Beijing Film Academy.

Not daring to get out of the car, Xu Kong found a parking space near the school and sent a message directly to Song Youyou.

"I'm at the gate of your school."

The two of them hadn't seen each other for a long time, ever since Song Youyou went back to school to prepare for her graduation thesis.

So after Song Youyou sent him a message, he just came over directly.

"The school guard won't let you in?"

After the call was connected, Song Youyou's voice was heard.

Obviously, she wanted Xu Kong to come to the school directly to find her.

"You come out."

Xu Kong was not fooled at all, and he did not agree even when Song Youyou acted coquettishly.

The main thing is that if he enters the other school, there is a high probability that he will be recognized.

As for Song Youyou, of course she also knew this.

Xu Kong had already seen through her little thoughts.

He just wanted Xu Kong to come in and find him on purpose.

She was not afraid of being photographed at all and was eager for more rumors about the two of them to spread online.

The main reason is that with the recent popularity of the song "Meeting", the CP fans of Xu Kong and Su Zhi have become active again, which made Song Youyou a little unhappy.

"Oh~"

In the end, Song Youyou could only respond with some grievance.

……

(End of this chapter)