National Radio and Television Administration: Chinese micro-dramas are becoming the fourth largest audiovisual product globally

The National Radio and Television Administration released the "China-ASEAN Micro Short Drama International Communication Development Report." The report states that micro short dramas, as a new form of online audio-visual content that originated in China, are becoming the fourth largest global audio-visual product form after American films, Japanese animations, and Korean dramas. The cooperation in micro short dramas between China and ASEAN is deepening, becoming an important carrier for China-ASEAN digital economy cooperation and cultural exchanges.

The report indicates that the market size of micro short dramas in China continues to grow rapidly. By 2025, a total of 33,000 micro short dramas will be launched nationwide, and from January to September 2026, the number of launched micro short dramas will reach 490,000, which is 13 times that of the entire year of 2025. The user base of micro short dramas has reached 850 million, with monthly active users exceeding 600 million. By 2026, the overseas micro short drama market outside of China will exceed $6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 67% compared to 2025.

The report also states that platforms with a Chinese background dominate the global market. From January to September 2026, all of the top 10 micro short drama apps in terms of downloads in overseas markets have a Chinese background, and among the top 10 platforms in terms of in-app purchase revenue, 9 are also of Chinese background.