burgeoning popularity of Chinese micro-dramas, short-form vertical videos characterized by over-the-top storylines and rapid twists, designed for instant gratification. Originating around 2018 as an offshoot of short-form video trends popularized by platforms like TikTok, these dramas, often likened to "soap operas on steroids," have seen immense growth, particularly during the pandemic, due to their low-cost production and ability to grab audience attention quickly. Surpassing China's box office revenue in 2024, the industry is now aggressively targeting the U.S. market, which already accounts for 60% of global mobile revenue for these apps. While not seen as a direct threat to traditional streaming services like Netflix, micro-dramas pose a significant challenge to social media platforms by competing for viewer eyeballs and influencing the future of content strategy in the entertainment industry.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com