Chapter 213
Online spectators quickly noticed that The Sovereign and Dragon Lock were premiering on the same day, whether by design or coincidence. competing head–to–head.
At first glance, it seemed Dragon Lock was taking the lead. With a massive investment of 100 million dollars–essentially a blockbuster movie budget—the show boasted stunning costumes, exceptional production design, and a star–studded cast. The lead actor, Lachlan, lud recently become a sensation, and the supporting cast was a mix of rising stars and seasoned actors, making it a powerhouse lineup.
However, insider reports revealed that the 100 million dollars essentially went into actor salaries
When the trailers dropped, the difference in special effects was immediately apparent. With its hefty budget, Dragon Lock was a visual feast, drawing eyes with its impressive scenes. On the other hand, The Sovereign had somewhat cheap–looking effects, but the humor and quirky nature of some of its scenes gave it an odd charm.
Elaine had put her money where it counted the most
Entertainment Camera: Dragon Lock will premiere tonight at 7:30 PM on streaming platforms, and fans eagerly await the debut. With the show confirmed to air on Eaststar TV, it’s clear Dragon Lock is a bit before it even airs. I wonder how the creators of The Sovereign feel seeing Dragon Lock already set for a big broadcast? Everyone knows this is a direct rivalry between Elaine and Bianca
“Wow, Dragon Lock is already airing on TV? But I’ve got to admit, the special effects are impressive. Maybe The Sovereign should take some notes”
The Sovereign is a smaller–budget show, though. The effects:
saren’t great, but the vibe and storyline look solid from the trader. Galaxy Entertainment is a big company, while Radiant Media is still a new player with potential but shaky foundations”
“Let’s see how the viewership and streaming numbers turn out. If those aren’t strong, all the talk won’t matter.”
“Exactly. I can’t wait to see which show becomes the breakout hit this year.”
Sharon was frustrated as she saw everyone online trashing The Sovereign while praising Dragon Lock. She couldn’t help but vent. “Do they have to be so shallow! Just because Bianca poured 100 million dollars into it and cast a bunch of popular actors, now everyone’s jumping on the hype train! What’s so special about getting it on TV It’s not worth all this praise.”
Sharon thought, “They’re just jumping on the bandwagon.
Elaine couldn’t help but smile when she saw Sharon’s frustrated expression. “It’s pretty normal,” she said. “Don’t get upset. People are bound to have their own opinions about these two rival shows. It’s no surprise that most think Bianca’s Dragon Lock will come out on top. After all, she’s got so many celebrity friends promoting it online, creating a buzz. If we were in their shoes, we’d probably be fooled 100. Everyone in the entertainment industry has to make a living, and we can’t expect people to always back us. It wouldn’t be right to try and rain their careers just because they’re not
on our side.”
Elaine paused, then added, “As for Dragon Lock getting a spot on TV, I was a linte surprised. The show hasn’t even aired yet, but it seems they believe in Galaxy Entertainment’s new project”
Sharon clenched her fist. “I just hope the show airs soon. I can’t wait to see them get slapped in the face when the results come in
Everyone else seemed on edge since this was the company’s first big project. But Elaine appeared utterly relaxed, quietly waiting for the show’s release.
At 7:30 PM, both shows officially launched.
Sharon stayed glued to her computer, eagerly awaiting the first viewing figures. Dragon Lock and The Sovereign were streaming online at the peak
of attention
To everyone’s surprise, the show seeing the highest ratings and streaming numbers wasn’t Dragon Lock, which had seemed like the clear favorite. Instead. The Sovereign steadily climbed the ranks, showing an impressive and rapid increase in viewership and streaming numbers, quickly rising to the top spot
Sharon couldn’t contain her excitement. “Yest Elaine, is o
our show going to be a hit?
The numbers also took Elaine aback. They were even better than she had expected. “Mm, looks like it”
It was the right first step i
co for B
Radiant Media.
Other cast members from the smaller company couldn’t contain their joy, hugging each other tightly
“This is amazing!” diey cheered.
With decent roles in the show, their exposure would skyrocket if the drama kept gaining traction
1/2
7:33 AM
Chapter 213
Meanwhile, Dragon Lock had started strong, briefly hitting second place, but it stalled and even began to dip in the rankings.
The results were nothing short of shocking.
By the end of the first night, the battle between the two shows already had its first clear answer.
Bianca had been feeling triumphant when she saw Dragon Lock gaining momentum, but now, her face drained of color, and she was utterly stunned. She never imagined The Sovereign completely overshadowing Dragon Lock’s streaming numbers and ratings.
“How is this possible? Did they make a mistake with the streaming numbers?”
Finley tried to comfort her. “It’s okay. Your show just started airing. The true winner will only be clear later on.”
His words seemed to ease Bianca’s tension, and her mood lifted slightly.
But she didn’t feel as composed as she had before.
Galaxy Entertainment had invested at least 100 million dollars, and aside from the thirty million dollars from Finley, the remaining funds came from her and Galaxy Entertainment’s accounts. This project had taken up much of her time and energy, and failure was not an option
Bianca clenched her jaw, even digging her nails into her palm in frustration.
But things didn’t go as planned. Just one week before Dragon Lock aired, it barely held onto second place, but soon, the ratings and streaming numbers began to drop sharply, and its ranking slid further down.
Dragon Lock was highly hyped, but after the show aired, audience reactions flooded the internet, and they were all over the place.
“Dragon Lock might have impressive special effects, but the plot and characters are painfully predictable. The male lead’s acting is terrible, and his looks are just average. I have no idea how this show got popular in the first place. What’s the point of watching a period drama without eye candy!”
“The visuals and costumes are nice, but the plot and character design are such a turnoff. It’s nothing new–The Sovereign is way better. It feels like we’re stuck in the same tired storyline from decades ago. How is this still being made in 2023?”
*Honestly. I’ve gotten so used to the special effects in Dragon Lock that I can’t watch anything else. Without Elaine’s low–budget effects, I wouldn’t know what to do. It’s ridiculously bad!”
“I’ve to admit, Elaine and Patrick’s looks and acting are flawless. It’s a real pleasure to watch, and the plot has actually improved. I highly recommend The Sovereign–this show is pure gold!”
The comments section for Dragon Lock was filled with awkward reviews, while fans flooded The Sovereign’s section with laughing emojis and praise. The contrast was impossible to miss.
The Sovereign’s storyline even brought viewers to tears as the show continued
For a while. The Sovereign was all over Twitter’s trending topics, with the buzz around it skyrocketing
Bianca’s fans were furious and relentlessly criticized The Sovereign on Twitter, claiming the shows were in the same genre. Yet the results were so different that they couldn’t accept that The Sovereign’s streaming numbers and ratings were far superior to Dragon Lock’s. In their frustration, Sizzle angrily accused Elaine of faking her success and trying to smear her reputation with false claims.
No matter how much Sizzle raged. The Sovereign continued to gain momentum as if it were fated to succeed.
Elaine’s fans couldn’t help but laugh as they watched Sizzle desperately try to defend their idol’s reputation.
C
