Core Points - The incident involving the director Yang Yang Yang highlights the severe pressures faced by creators in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding financial burdens and platform relationships [2][4][24] - Yang Yang Yang's lengthy post reveals a deep sense of despair stemming from entrepreneurial failure and significant debt, amounting to over 30 million yuan, which includes loans from friends, online loans, and unpaid dues to suppliers and employees [5][6][21] - The director's accusations against major platforms like Mango TV and Tencent Video point to systemic issues within the industry, including opaque revenue-sharing practices and pressure to manipulate viewership data [7][8][11] Industry Issues - The power imbalance between platforms and production companies is significant, with creators lacking essential knowledge about viewership data and revenue distribution, leading to a "black box" operation [11][25] - The trend of cost-cutting in the content industry has resulted in a concentration of resources and power among large platforms, making it increasingly difficult for smaller production companies to survive [10][11] - Yang Yang Yang's experience serves as a cautionary tale for the industry, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in platform partnerships to foster a healthier creative ecosystem [25][28] Creator Challenges - The idealistic approach of creators often clashes with market demands, as evidenced by Yang Yang Yang's struggle to attract a broader audience with his "real" content, which was perceived as flawed [21][27] - The reliance on debt to fund projects without a solid financial strategy has proven to be a precarious model, leading to unsustainable business practices [21][26] - The emotional toll of financial distress and industry pressures can exacerbate mental health issues among creators, highlighting the need for better support systems within the industry [30]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by the revenue-sharing variety show model, highlighting the shift of the previously successful show "Shining Days" to a short video platform, indicating a departure from the revenue-sharing approach [1][3][6]. Industry Challenges - Most revenue-sharing variety shows fail to recoup their production costs, which is a disappointing reality in the industry [6][10]. - The revenue-sharing model was intended to provide opportunities for smaller projects lacking star power, but few have succeeded in the market [6][10]. - "Shining Days" has struggled to generate sufficient revenue despite support from platforms, with the producer stating that the revenue has not covered costs [6][10]. Case Studies - Successful examples of revenue-sharing shows exist, such as Tencent's "Mao Xue Wang," which has performed well in revenue and attracted sponsorships [11]. - Other successful projects include "100% Singer: Battle Season," which has received high internal ratings and managed to sustain itself in the revenue-sharing landscape [13]. - Mango TV's "Yuan Ren Series" has cultivated a loyal fan base and developed high-engagement paid programs, showcasing a long-term strategy for revenue-sharing shows [13]. Future Outlook - The article suggests that for smaller revenue-sharing shows to thrive, they must innovate and create compelling content that encourages viewers to subscribe for premium access [15]. - Despite the challenges, there remains hope for the revenue-sharing model, as it embodies the ideal that quality content should not solely rely on major sponsors for survival [16][17].