TV Tokyo's New Program
On the last Tuesday of May, at 12:30 pm, TV Tokyo broadcast the final episode of "Cooking Master Boy".
When the words "Thank you for watching" appeared on the screen, Nakagawa Jun in the station director's office breathed a long sigh of relief.
That evening, the secretary had already placed the viewership ratings report on the table.
"President, this is the final summary report." Okabe, the head of the Okabe GG Department, respectfully handed over another document. "While <Cooking Master Boy> didn't top the ratings during its run, it consistently remained in the top three of the midday slot. Most importantly, its Gamer conversion rate was nothing short of a miracle."
When Okabe talked about this, the expression on his face became exceptionally interesting.
"Kikkoman Soy Sauce sales increased by 15% compared to before the program started. The Chinese wok we sponsored sold out at department store counters. Last week I had dinner with some sponsor representatives, and they were all sighing and complaining, like their own children were about to go on a long journey, about how such a good program had only been running for half a year."
Upon hearing this, Nakagawa Jun couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth upwards.
He picked up the GG report, the data clearly demonstrating the power of Takuya's "sponsor prop amplification" strategy.
Each clearly marked logo is like a precise bullet, striking the hearts of countless housewives in front of their television sets.
This program not only made money, but also earned the station a great reputation.
Just as the sponsors were lamenting the end of "Cooking Master Boy," the seamless transition to a new program on TV Tokyo rekindled their hopes, making them even more excited than before.
The new show's name is simple and straightforward: "Supermarket Battle".
After hearing just a brief outline of the project, the astute sponsors immediately realized that this show's potential for failure was even more terrifying than that of "Cooking Master Boy"!
This is the truly successful segment that can last a long time and keep the products in the sight of all housewives!
The first episode aired in early June.
In the station director's office, GG Department Okabe stood respectfully before Nakagawa Jun's desk, his face barely able to contain his excitement. "President, the ratings are in! Look!"
Nakagawa Jun took the report, glanced at it, and his pupils contracted slightly.
Okabe couldn't help but report to the director, "As the replacement program, the first episode's ratings are almost double those of ' Cooking Master Boy ' at its peak! A midday slot, a midday lifestyle program, and the ratings have actually broken into double digits!"
This is simply an incredible miracle in the industry!
"GG's conversion rate is outrageous!" Okabe swallowed hard and flipped open another report. "President, guess what product was the most frequently asked about in the inquiries we received after the first episode aired?"
"Soy sauce? Or that sponsored discounted beef?" Nakagawa Jun asked with great interest.
"Neither!" Okabe slapped his thigh. "It's a new, hand-friendly, high-speed grater!"
He became animated as he spoke of it, "In the show, there was that unfortunate housewife who got stuffed with a bunch of root vegetables by her opponent..."
It was that grater that saved the day in the last few minutes, quickly and efficiently shredding carrots and potatoes to make an Osaka! The camera gave it a close-up, and countless housewives couldn't sit still any longer; the department store's phone lines were practically ringing off the hook!
This program accurately captures one of the most pressing concerns for all housewives during this economic downturn: how to accomplish the most with the least amount of money, while still making life a little easier.
The explosive popularity of a grater is the best proof of this.
Nakagawa Jun leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the report. His face showed little emotion, but his mind was in turmoil.
He recalled the young man's eloquent manner in the living room that day.
Limited budgets, panic buying of near-expiry goods, and sabotaging each other.
Every detail was precisely designed to hit the audience's sweet spot and make them laugh.
What Nakayama Takuya saw was not just a program, but the emotions and pulse of the entire Japan society.
Okabe was still excitedly reporting on the follow-up GG signing plan, but Nakagawa Jun was already somewhat distracted.
He waved his hand, indicating that Okabe could leave.
The office fell silent again. Nakagawa Jun opened a drawer and took out a project proposal that he had kept separately from the back.
On the cover were several large words that made his heart race.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
His gaze shifted from the phenomenal ratings report of "Supermarket Battle" to this even more outrageous plan. "If ' Supermarket Battle ' was merely a way to cope with the economic downturn—"
Nakagawa Jun muttered to himself, his eyes sharpening.
"So, this is your true trump card, Takuya?"
Unlike the ratings frenzy during TV Tokyo's midday slot, the atmosphere during the Saturday afternoon anime slot is much more subtle.
The atmosphere in the conference room of the model division at Bandai Headquarters was somewhat somber.
"Premiere viewership rating: 5.1%." A section chief in the Planning Department reported the data, his tone calm and unreadable. "For a Gundam sequel, this number is not bad."
That's what they said, but the faces of the seasoned veterans present all screamed "not enough."
It's okay, but not amazing.
Especially compared to the phenomenal ratings of shows like "Supermarket Battle," this number seems rather mediocre.
"Popularity among viewers is extremely polarized," another person added. "Longtime fans are all criticizing it, saying this isn't the Gundam they know. What kind of martial arts tournament is this? That condom-like pilot suit? It's utter nonsense."
"I told you, letting a young man decide the direction of Gundam is too risky!" A senior minister couldn't help but speak up. "The core of Gundam is the weight of war, but what has it become now? A Hong Kong martial arts movie?"
The meeting room erupted in discussion, with growing doubts about <Mobile Fighter G>.
"Have you finished speaking?"
Mitsui Chuta's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire conference room. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table.
His gaze swept over everyone present.
"Old fans?" He chuckled. "You know better than I how much model sales old fans contribute. Nakayama Takuya chose this Saturday afternoon at 5:30 to make a proper comparison with the past."
He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, picked up a pen, and circled the number "5.1%".
"He aired a completely different new work at the time most familiar to all the longtime viewers, just to tell everyone that times have changed. He's not afraid of comparisons at all; he even craves them."
There was a steadfast trust in Chuta Mitsunami's eyes.
He recalled the nonchalant expression on the young man's face when he grabbed him after the screening.
"Don't worry, Mr. Mitsui," Nakayama Takuya said at the time, "Kids don't care about the UC era; they just want to see the coolest Gundam and win in the coolest way."
"What about the data for the second and third weeks?" Mitsui Chuta asked the planning section chief.
The section chief quickly handed over the latest report.
Mitsui Chuta took it, glanced at it, and everyone in the conference room clearly saw the corners of his mouth slightly turn up.
Instead of reading out the specific numbers, he slammed the report directly onto the table.
"It seems the children have made their choice."
He looked around at everyone and said, word by word, "Notify the factory that all production lines of the Shining Gundam are immediately put into full-speed production. I want to fill the shelves of every toy store in the country with it within a month."
Once the order was given, no one dared to object.