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Chapter 268 - 244: The Broadcast Rights That Made History

Chapter 268: Chapter 244: The Broadcast Rights That Made History

A Master Level Experience Card required three hundred thousand Fan Value to redeem, and Wu Li redeemed one, experiencing it for ten minutes. For the entire following day, he kept reflecting on that feeling, identifying his own issues, and then on the second day, he redeemed another Experience Card to start solving the problems he had identified yesterday.

Such repetition continued until the fifth day, after using up five Master Level Experience Cards, Wu Li finally completed his breakthrough and reached Master Level in Tai Chi Fist.

He was now left with 2.29 million Fan Value and possessed mastery over four Martial Arts disciplines.

In terms of mastery of a single Martial Art, although his Tai Chi and Li San’s Tai Chi were both at Master Level, if the two were to spar using only Tai Chi Fist, Wu Li certainly wouldn’t be a match for him. This was because realm was realm, combat power was combat power, the compatibility with Fist Intent and the in-depth research on fighting techniques both determined a person’s level of combat power, and Wu Li’s strongest was of course Xingyi Fist.

The day after Wu Li’s breakthrough, he received a phone call from Chen Gang.

"What’s up?"

Wu Li had told Chen Gang before entering the hospital that he would stay here for a while and to not disturb him unless there was something particularly important.

"There is a talk show in the United States that has invited you to participate," Chen Gang cut straight to the point.

"Is the show popular?"

"It’s okay, it has pretty high ratings in the United States."

"Do you think it’s necessary for me to participate?"

"Yes, as far as you are concerned, UFC is about to schedule your first match. Maintaining your popularity and fame before then would obviously be best."

"Hmm."

"Also, the sixth episode of Seeking Martial Arts aired domestically and caused a big stir. Everyone feels you’ve brought honor to our country, and the higher-ups hope you can continue to do so. If the remaining episodes of Seeking Martial Arts are all about visiting overseas Chinese, there are already people from the United States talking to us about negotiating broadcasting rights. That is to say, the higher your popularity is in the United States, the more we can sell our broadcasting rights for!"

Chen Gang’s voice was filled with excitement. Over the years, it had almost always been China buying foreign variety show licenses or broadcasting rights for various programs and competitions, like spending at least a hundred million US dollars annually to buy the rights to broadcast the NBA; whereas, domestically produced shows or competitions rarely sold their rights abroad.

Now, the variety show ’Seeking Martial Arts’ being able to sell its rights abroad was completely unexpected.

"Wu Li, do you understand the significance of this? If this deal really goes through, we would have created history in the variety show sector!" Chen Gang said enthusiastically.

In recent years, China did sell some original variety shows abroad, but what the buyers were interested in were the licenses, meaning they bought the rights to let their own country’s performers create an entirely new show, rather than broadcasting the original program. After all, Chinese celebrities were known domestically, but in other countries, who would recognize them? Who would be interested in watching?

This time with ’Seeking Martial Arts,’ it was different. The United States wanted to buy the actual broadcasting rights, allowing American viewers to watch the show live.

It was an unprecedented event, and if it really succeeded, as Chen Gang said, it would indeed be a historical creation.

"I understand," Wu Li said. "So it would be best if I participated in that talk show, right?"

"Exactly. The more famous you become, the more the audience likes you, the more leverage we have in negotiations," Chen Gang said.

"To put it in a way that boosts morale, people don’t really care how much money it is. The symbolic significance of this matter far exceeds its actual value. After all, for so many years in the entertainment and cultural fields, it has almost always been foreigners making money off of us. The number of times we make money off them is scarce. So, if this deal really succeeds and the news spreads back home, it will be something to be proud of."

Wu Li thought for a moment, then without much hesitation, agreed, "Alright, when is the talk show?"

His main goal was to disseminate Chinese culture and promote Chinese Martial Arts. If the broadcasting rights of ’Seeking Martial Arts’ could really be sold abroad, that would be excellent. The more people who watched the live broadcast, the more Fan Value he could earn.

"October 8th, they plan to broadcast it live this time," Chen Gang said.

"Isn’t it a talk show? Why broadcast it live?" Wu Li found it strange, as such shows usually went for recorded broadcasts, not live.

"This program is a hit variety show on NBC, and sometimes they opt for a live format. The NBC station talking to us about the broadcasting rights chose to conduct your interview live. They probably want to see what your current popularity in the United States is like," Chen Gang explained.

Wu Li: "Alright, is there anything I need to prepare for?"

Chen Gang smiled, "I’ll prepare some questions in advance for you, and for the rest, I trust in your quick-wittedness."

...

After hanging up the phone, Wu Li walked back to Li San’s hospital room where the other man was watching TV.

"What’s up?" Li San, seeing that Wu Li had something to say, asked directly.

Wu Li: "I’ll be away for two days."

Li San smiled, "Go take care of your business. You’ve seen my defenses here. Even if someone came attacking with rockets, I’d be fine."

Wu Li nodded, "Alright, take care of yourself."

...

On October 7th, Wu Li left the hospital where Li San was and returned to the hotel where Chen Gang and the others were staying.

"Here are some questions that they are likely to ask tomorrow, prepare for them in advance."

Upon seeing Wu Li, Chen Gang immediately handed him a file.

Wu Li glanced over the material; it contained very routine questions, and he looked relaxed.

Chen Gang, however, said with some seriousness, "I’ve been watching many episodes of this talk show recently. The host often asks sharp questions that can be hard to answer, and you should be aware of that. The list of questions they gave us is probably just to catch us off guard."

"Oh?" Wu Li raised an eyebrow.

Chen Gang: "That’s the host’s style. Sometimes it’s for the effect of the show, you know, American variety shows are often more daring than those in China, and they sometimes enjoy pranking."

Wu Li nodded, "Alright, if soldiers come, I’ll block them; if water comes, I’ll cover it with earth."

"But you don’t have to worry too much. If NBC truly intends to purchase our broadcasting rights, they won’t deliberately ruin your image. The more the American audience likes you, the better for everyone," Chen Gang said.

Wu Li laughed, "What’s there for me to worry about? Even when it comes to verbal spats, have you seen me losing to anyone so far?"

"Ha ha!" Chen Gang laughed and put his arm around Wu Li’s shoulder, "Indeed, no one can beat you in a fight or outtalk you. There’s only one way to describe it."

"What?"

"Damn, invincible!"

"Ha ha ha!"

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