Chapter 66

The early morning phone call filled Zhang Ye with enthusiasm. After washing his face, he left home. Today, he was the first to arrive at the office. He picked up the keys from the reception and headed straight for the recording studio.

He was about to record a program.

And he planned to record several episodes.

After stuffing a few steamed buns he bought on the way into his stomach, Zhang Ye, while eating, went over "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in his mind. He wanted to organize the plot, such as the endings of each chapter and the key plot points. He wasn't planning to change the text or the plot; Zhang Ye couldn't do that. He wouldn't alter this novel, but he could arrange the endings of each episode. He didn't have to strictly follow the chapter format of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." For example, he could end an episode at a suspenseful moment, which would leave the audience eager for more, potentially increasing the next day's listenership. These were all technical strategies.

Why go through so much trouble?

Because Zhang Ye wanted to try to boost the listenership!

The current listenership of "Old and Young Story Time" was about 2.4%, ranking second on the cultural radio station. If it could go higher and break a few records, it would greatly help him win the Silver Microphone Award. Then he would be almost certain to win it. He had to ensure this award.

"Chapter 9: The Queen of the Field Mice."

"The Scarecrow said to the girl, 'We cannot be far from the road of yellow bricks, for we have traveled as far as the stream carried us.' The Tin Woodman was about to answer when he heard a low growl and turned to see a strange beast bounding across the grass toward him."

...

9:30 AM.

The colleagues had been at work for half an hour.

Zhao Guozhou's appearance had changed today; he had a new hairstyle. As usual, he came in with the listenership chart. "Everyone, pause what you're doing. Are you all here?"

Tian Bin looked at an empty seat. "Zhang Ye hasn't come."

Zhao Guozhou frowned. "He hasn't arrived yet? What time is it?"

Zhou Dajie spoke up for Zhang Ye. "Xiaozhang was very tired recently, he might be a bit late. I'll give him a call." She picked up her phone and dialed, but Zhang Ye's phone was off.

Jia Yan provoked, "Not answering the phone?"

Zhou Dajie glanced at him. "His phone is off, he might still be sleeping."

Wu Datao sneered. "This is taking work too lightly. Just because he has some achievements, he's getting arrogant? Does he still respect the leadership?"

Seizing this opportunity, several colleagues who had a poor relationship with Zhang Ye started to stir up trouble, their tone full of criticism.

Suddenly, Zhang Ye walked in from outside, hearing his name being mentioned. He asked curiously, "Director, are you looking for me?" He didn't know what was going on.

Zhao Guozhou looked at him. "Why are you so late?"

Zhang Ye was puzzled. "I'm not late. I arrived at around seven this morning." He shook the long string of keys in his hand. "I got the keys from the reception and have been recording in the studio. I thought I'd record a few more episodes today, so I came early and didn't have to wait for the studio to be free."

What?

He came at seven?

He's been working on recording all this time?

Tian Bin, Jia Yan, and Wu Datao's faces turned sour.

Zhou Dajie smiled, both mocking Tian Bin and supporting Zhang Ye. "I see, that's why Xiaozhang's phone was off. He was recording."

Zhao Guozhou glanced at Jia Yan and the others, then patted Zhang Ye's shoulder with satisfaction. "Very good, but you should also pay attention to your rest. Don't overwork yourself."

"Thank you, Director. I will," Zhang Ye said.

"Sit down," Zhao Guozhou said gently. "I'll announce the results."

Tian Bin noticed that Director Zhao's attitude toward Zhang Ye was changing, and he felt a sense of crisis. "The Midnight Ghost Stories" had just been handed over to him, and "The Ghost Blows the Lamp" hadn't finished airing yet. It would take a long time before he could truly take over, but with this trend, he felt a bit threatened. He didn't want Zhang Ye to take back the host position for the ghost stories.

Zhao Guozhou began announcing the listenership.

"First place: 'Words of the World,' 3.69%!"

"Second place: 'Old and Young Story Time,' 2.98%!"

"Third place: 'The Midnight Ghost Stories,' 1.97%!"

After announcing the top three, everyone was speechless, some even gasping loudly. It was very clear!

Too strong!

Is there no stopping this?

"The Midnight Ghost Stories" actually made it to third place!

Since Zhang Ye started the new program, the first episode of "Old and Young Story Time" replaced "Daily Entertainment" and moved to second place. The ghost stories, which were previously third, moved to fourth. However, with Wu Datao and his partner making frequent mistakes in the program and "Daily Entertainment" seeing a continuous decline in listenership, "The Midnight Ghost Stories" not only surpassed the news program but even reached an astonishing 1.97% listenership. Even in the national radio frequency, there was no such high listenership for a late-night program! This... is it about to break 2?

What the hell!

Is this still a late-night program?

Even prime-time programs aren't this strong!

Only a few colleagues who had been consistently listening to "The Midnight Ghost Stories" were not too surprised. They knew that the recent "The Ghost Blows the Lamp" had just finished a plot and was now in a thrilling climax, which naturally boosted the listenership and led to another small surge, surpassing "Daily Entertainment."

What shocked everyone the most was the listenership of "Old and Young Story Time"!

The first episode was 2.40%.

The second episode was 2.45%.

The third episode was 2.51%.

The fourth episode, which was supposed to air the day before yesterday, was postponed due to the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival, so there was no listenership data. The actual fourth episode was yesterday, which is the listenership being announced today!

2.98%!

This growth rate is incredible!

It's like a rocket, shooting up in one go!

How could this happen? Their station had never seen such a sudden jump in listenership! They admitted that Zhang Ye's new story "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was very engaging, but even the best programs and stories need a gradual process, not a sudden leap without any warning. Wait, that's not right! Many people thought for a moment and realized! It was the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival! The first place win of "Water Tune: Ode to the Moon" greatly increased Zhang Ye's fame! The live broadcast of the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival coincided with Zhang Ye's program time, thus, under various factors, it boosted the listenership of "Old and Young Story Time" and even "The Midnight Ghost Stories" to such an astonishing height!

This is 2.98%!

About to break 3?

In the history of the cultural frequency, only three programs have ever broken 3% listenership. One was "Storytelling," and the other was "Daily Jokes." Both had historical reasons for breaking 3%, as television was not yet widespread, and radio was the main medium. Later, with the popularization of television and the internet, "Storytelling" was discontinued seven or eight years ago due to low listenership, and "Daily Jokes" was rebranded as a sketch and crosstalk program, essentially no longer existing. The only program still active that has broken 3% is Wang Xiaomei's "Words of the World"!

But now, there might be one more!

What an honor! It would be recorded in the history of the Beijing radio station!

And "The Midnight Ghost Stories" might also break a record! No, perhaps it could be said that since "The Midnight Ghost Stories" came under Zhang Ye's management, it has almost daily been breaking records and creating the history and miracles of late-night programs! And this miracle is about to reach its peak!

Breaking 2!

If "The Ghost Blows the Lamp" can break 2% listenership, it won't just be creating the history of the Beijing radio station, but the history of late-night programs nationwide!

A newcomer!

Two programs!

Both have reached a peak!

Zhang Ye's achievements made everyone a bit envious, but Zhang Ye was clearly not satisfied, not even remotely satisfied!

He wanted the Silver Microphone!

He couldn't stop; he could climb higher and go further!

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