The president of Waves Corporation's Anatolia region, Alfred Gold, a demon from Thorn Kingdom, sat across from me in my office.
"Your channel launched a few days ago, and our Horn Kingdom sales have seen a slight increase. Though we can't definitively link it to your channel's commercial breaks," Alfred said, settling comfortably in his chair. "As president of Waves Anatolia, I'm uncertain about payment calculations. We have no way to determine viewer numbers."
I poured him expensive tea. "I'm confident your sales increase directly relates to my channel's commercials."
"Oh? How so?" Alfred's curiosity peaked.
Leaning back in my chair, I explained, "Before launching Hellfire channel, I established Pendragon Rating."
"Pendragon... Rating?" Alfred muttered, just loud enough for me to catch.
"Yes," I nodded. "Pendragon is my new surname, replacing Morningstar. My family's continued rejection made the change necessary."
Alfred nodded. "I see, but what exactly is this Pendragon Rating?"
I smiled. "Before launching Hellfire channel, Pendragon Rating was already operational with full staff. We approached 1,000 TV-owning families and convinced them to maintain 'Viewer Diaries,' recording their daily viewing habits."
Alfred nodded, though confusion still lingered in his expression. I continued, "My team also conducts telephone surveys, randomly calling households to learn what they're watching."
"Hmm..." Alfred stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Then we apply statistical extrapolation," I added.
"Stati- what now?" Alfred asked, clearly lost.
I chuckled before breaking down the concept in simpler terms.
A few minutes later, Alfred's eyes lit with understanding. "So through all these processes, your Pendragon Rating can estimate viewer numbers and how many households watch each program?"
I noted his intrigue in my rating methods. "Yes, and our data shows the majority of TV owners are watching almost all Hellfire channel programs."
Alfred fell silent before commenting, "These rating methods are incredibly clever - far more efficient than Empirica's complicated systems."
"Indeed." I nodded, secretly grateful to Arthur Nielsen, whose rating system I'd borrowed from my previous life.
"Here's my channel's current rating data," I said, sliding the paper across.
Alfred studied the numbers. "These ratings aren't manipulated, correct?"
"Of course not," I chuckled. "That's our honest estimation. Feel free to survey the kingdom yourself about their viewing habits."
Alfred nodded. "Based on these numbers, we owe you about two thousand dollars daily for promotion. With four days passed, that's roughly 8-10 thousand dollars."
"Quite affordable compared to newspaper ads, isn't it?" I whispered with devilish charm. "And far more effective."
Alfred couldn't disagree.
"Now, with my channel's success," I continued, "we can have HOLLOW's 'Finance Times' report on it. Our companies will profit - after all, Hellfire shares patent rights to Waves Corporation's signal technology. Others will want their own signal towers, bringing more contracts to Waves Corporation."
"Sounds like a plan," Alfred smiled, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
True enough - Hellfire's success would drive demand for signal towers. With minimal regulations governing channels and tower construction, establishing new stations would be straightforward.
And while I owned some signal patents, Waves Corporation would handle the actual tower construction, ensuring their continued profits.
Since Hellfire channel's launch, media outlets had relentlessly attacked Arthur.
"Hellfire Channel Days Old: Experts Predict Collapse Within Weeks - Another Misstep by Exiled Prince Arthur"
"Was Arthur Morningstar Manipulated by HOLLOW to Create Channel and Programs for TV Sales? Experts question whether the colored TV and VHS player were truly inventions of Arthur."
Such headlines dominated Horn Kingdom's newspapers. Then came an exception - "Finance Times," the premier publication for businessmen and investors, ran a striking front page: "Hellfire Channel's Remarkable Success - Reports Show Near-Universal Viewership Across All Programs"
This praise stood in stark contrast to the wave of criticism flooding other papers.
While Finance Times held limited appeal among common citizens, that wasn't Arthur's target. He aimed for businessmen and investors - Finance Times' core readership - hoping to attract potential clients for Hellfire channel's commercial slots.
In my study, I reviewed the latest Finance Times edition, searching for investment opportunities and pitfalls.
Finance Times had earned its reputation for exposing corporate scandals and predicting market trends. Its analysis had saved countless investors from disaster.
Today's headline left me underwhelmed, though I felt relieved seeing no mention of Rook Automobiles in any scandal reports or critical reviews that might affect our stock prices.
"Hellfire channel?" I muttered, scanning the main article. "Hardly seems an effective advertising platform."
Surely other businessmen shared my skepticism about television. Everyone knew TV was a poor investment.
I'd bought one myself, caught up in the technological novelty - mainly to watch "The Demonfather" in better quality. But as an advertising medium? Doubtful.
Setting aside the newspaper, I focused on company documents, signing some contracts and discarding others. After two hours of work, I stretched and headed downstairs.
Approaching the living room, I heard unexpected commotion.
"You despicable woman!" my wife's voice rang out.
My heart jumped. 'Is she in danger?'
I rushed down the remaining stairs, bursting into the living room ready for confrontation.
Instead, I found my wife on the couch, pounding the armrest in frustration.
"How dare she threaten Mariana like that! That scheming witch!"
I stood frozen, watching my normally composed wife completely absorbed in the drama.
"No! Not a commercial break now!" she protested as the screen shifted.
As the show's title "The Rich Also Cry" flashed across the screen, my wife continued her passionate outburst.
"Honey, please... it's just a television program..." I ventured carefully.
Mercy turned to me, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "What now?"
I retreated slightly, approaching her like a cornered beast before carefully settling beside her. "It's just... you seem rather invested in this program. I've never seen you lose composure ."
This was shocking coming from Mercy. She'd always maintained the perfect image of a noble demon lady, raised in wealth with impeccable manners and eloquence.
Mercy sighed, smoothing her dress as she collected herself. "I must apologize for my unseemly behavior. These dramatic tales they call 'telenovelas' have a way of stirring one's emotions quite unexpectedly."
"Telenovela?" I questioned the unfamiliar term.
"Ah," Mercy's composure returned slightly. "It's Arthur's term for these dramatic programs on the Hellfire channel."
"I see..." I nodded, turning my attention to the screen with newfound curiosity. Fresh chapters posted on novel⁂fire.net
A commercial played - James Blaze and his band performing. The scene shifted to show him inserting a VHS tape, the TV displaying a music video while text appeared: {James Blaze songs, now available in VHS Tape format! Current 10% discount at all music stores!}
While I barely registered the advertisement, Mercy's eyes lit up at the word "discount." She turned to me with practiced charm, laying a delicate hand on my arm. "Darling, might I trouble you to purchase some of James Blaze's music tapes?"
Her sudden switch to courtly manners wasn't lost on me.
I stared at her, baffled. "But you've always disliked his music. Didn't you call him a 'talentless showboat' last month?"
"This is entirely different!" Arianna protested. "Being able to watch the performance while listening to the music - it's intriguing!"
Ah. The 'music video' concept had captured her interest.
"Fine, I'll get you the tapes," I conceded with a sigh.
"You're wonderful!" Arianna planted a kiss on my cheek, leaving me grinning like a fool.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
'The TV advertising actually works!'
The realization struck just as my wife turned back to the screen, her expression intense as the telenovela resumed. Finance Times hadn't exaggerated - television promotion was devastatingly effective.
I rose to leave, my mind racing with plans to secure advertising slots. Arianna didn't even notice my departure, completely engrossed in her program.
'My competitors haven't realized television's potential yet. This is the perfect moment to act,' I thought, already calculating the possibilities.