After becoming rich overnight, I handed over the system.

Chapter 453 Ratings Domination

The office environment of Star Shine TV is more modern than that of Blue Ocean, with a vibrant open space.

Zhou Ziqian's new boss is Lin Ruoxue, the program's vice president, an industry legend who became a senior executive in his early thirties.

“I’ve seen your ‘National Producers’ project; it’s very bold,” Lin Ruoxue said bluntly, “but we need more detailed market analysis and risk assessment. I’ll give you two weeks to refine it. If it passes, it’ll be released immediately.”

Zhou Ziqian could hardly believe his ears.

Aren't you worried about competing head-on with "The Birth of an Idol"?

Lin Ruoxue smiled, fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes. "My only worry is whether 'Idol Birth' will survive until then."

For the next three months, Zhou Ziqian led his new team to work day and night.

"The Producers" breaks the traditional talent show model by developing a dedicated app that allows viewers to vote in real time to decide whether contestants stay or leave, as well as their training courses and even their clothing styles.

The show's slogan is "You are not only a viewer, but also a producer."

On the night of the premiere, Zhou Ziqian and his team squeezed into the monitoring room, nervously watching the real-time viewership data.

"It's broken 2%!" the data analyst suddenly shouted. "The ratings are 2.3% after just ten minutes, and they're still rising!"

Lin Ruoxue walked in with a victorious smile on her face.

"Over there, 'Idol Birth' only got a 1.8% rating tonight, a four-year low." She handed Zhou Ziqian a cell phone. "I think you'll want to take a look at this."

The screen displayed an entertainment news article: "Blue Ocean TV's flagship program suffers a major setback; rumors circulate that Director Liu Ming's position is in jeopardy."

Zhou Ziqian did not feel the expected joy, but rather a strange calm.

"What are your plans next?" Lin Ruoxue asked.

Zhou Ziqian watched as the audience interaction data on the monitoring screen kept refreshing, and tens of thousands of ordinary people were realizing their producer dreams through the program.

“We'll continue to refine the program,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”

Meanwhile, in the Blue Ocean TV office, Liu Ming angrily slammed the ratings report onto the table. "This is impossible! The data must be wrong!"

The assistant nervously handed over the tablet. "Brother Liu, Xinghui TV is rebroadcasting the first episode of 'The Producers'... The comments are all saying it's a 'revolution in talent shows'..."

Liu Ming stared at Zhou Ziqian, who was full of vigor on the screen, his face ashen.

Zhou Ziqian, whom he once arbitrarily suppressed, is now standing on the stage receiving cheers from the audience.

"Contact our legal department," Liu Ming gritted his teeth, "and say that the idea for 'All-People Producers' was plagiarized from Blue Ocean, and that Zhou Ziqian violated his non-compete agreement!"

“But…Brother Liu,” the assistant stammered, “the plans for these two shows are completely different. ‘Idol Birth’ only has 20 contestants, while ‘National Producers’ has 99…”

Liu Ming slumped into his chair, suddenly realizing he had made a fatal mistake—he had underestimated Zhou Ziqian's abilities.

Outside the window, the Star TV logo on the building across the street gleamed in the night, as if mocking his failure.

No, he can't just lose like that.

During the recording of the third episode of "The Producers," Zhou Ziqian stood in front of the monitoring station, with reports from various departments constantly coming through his earpiece.

In the center of the stage, five young contestants were performing songs chosen by the audience. Five hundred audience members held up voting devices, while millions of viewers outside the venue participated in real time via an app.

"Real-time viewership rating of 3.2% and market share of 15.8%, setting a new record!" The data monitor's voice rang in the earpiece.

Zhou Ziqian's lips curled up slightly as his gaze swept over the constantly changing interactive data on the monitoring screen.

The nervousness I felt during the premiere three weeks ago has faded, replaced by a calm confidence.

He turned to look at Lin Ruoxue sitting to the side. She was intently reviewing the flowchart in her hand. As if sensing his gaze, she looked up and gave him an approving look.

Zhou Ziqian's phone vibrated, and he walked to a corner to answer it.

"Brother Zhou, this is Xiao Li." The voice on the other end of the phone was very low. "Liu Ming has been making a lot of moves lately. Yesterday, he secretly met with Mr. Zhao from VISHO Mobile, the title sponsor of your program."

Zhou Ziqian frowned. "Do you know what they talked about?"

"I don't know the specifics, but Liu Ming was in a particularly good mood after returning to his office, and even said he wanted to 'solve the problem at its root.' You need to be careful."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Ziqian fell into thought.

VISANG mobile phones are the biggest sponsor of "All-People Producers". If they withdraw their investment...

"Something went wrong?" Lin Ruoxue appeared beside him at some point, holding two cups of coffee.

Zhou Ziqian took the coffee and told her the information that Xiao Li had found out.

Lin Ruoxue's expression gradually turned serious. "Zhao Tianyu... I know him. He's a typical opportunist. Liu Ming likely offered him a deal he couldn't refuse."

Just then, CTO Chen Yan rushed over. "Director Zhou, we've detected abnormal access in the app's backend. Someone is trying to hack into the voting system."

The three immediately rushed to the technical department.

Chen Yan pulled up a complex string of code records. "Starting last night, professional hackers have been testing our firewall. Their methods are very sophisticated; this isn't the work of ordinary fans."

Zhou Ziqian and Lin Ruoxue exchanged a glance—Liu Ming had begun to act.

"Strengthen defenses and prepare backup systems," Zhou Ziqian decisively decided. "Don't alert them; I need to know what they're up to."

Late that night, Zhou Ziqian was alone in his office, with the complete project plan for "National Producers" spread out in front of him.

My phone lit up with a message from Chen Yan: "IP address traced, originating from the Blue Ocean TV building."

Zhou Ziqian sneered and was about to reply when there was a knock on the office door.

Looking up, I saw Lin Ruoxue leaning against the door frame, holding a bottle of red wine and two glasses.

"You've worked hard, Director Zhou." She shook the bottle. "A '82 Lafite, to celebrate our three-week winning streak against 'The Birth of an Idol.'"

After a few rounds of drinks, Lin Ruoxue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she suddenly asked, "Do you know why I'm such a big supporter of 'National Producers'?"

Zhou Ziqian shook his head.

“Five years ago, when I first started working at Blue Ocean TV,” Lin Ruoxue’s gaze became distant, “I proposed a similar interactive program concept, which Liu Ming stole and deliberately sabotaged, resulting in my demotion. Later, I resigned and came to Xinghui.”

Zhou Ziqian stared at her in shock. "So you knew about Liu Ming's tricks all along?"

“I know more than you think.” Lin Ruoxue took a sip of her drink and then shook her head.

"Liu Ming didn't just steal the idea; he had a secret agreement with several sponsors, taking kickbacks to manipulate the show's outcome. While 'Idol Birth' was your idea, the champion was already predetermined. Lu Yuan's chances are slim."