China's micro-dramas are emerging as the world's fourth-largest online entertainment audiovisual product format.
China's NRTA report says Chinese micro-dramas are becoming a key audiovisual form after US films, Japanese anime and Korean TV dramas. Jan-Sep 2026: 47,000 launched nationwide; annual market expected at 85 billion yuan, over 600 million monthly active users; overseas market projected to exceed $16 billion, up 67% year on year.
Chinese Micro-Dramas Are Becoming the World's Fourth-Largest Online Entertainment Audiovisual Product Category
China's National Radio and Television Administration released the Report on the International Communication and Development of Chinese Micro-Dramas, noting that Chinese micro-dramas are rapidly reshaping the global audiovisual landscape and have become an important audiovisual product format after American films, Japanese animation, and Korean television dramas.
The report shows that 47,000 micro-dramas were released nationwide between January and September 2026, with the full-year market size expected to reach 85 billion yuan and monthly active users exceeding 600 million. Overseas markets are equally strong: in 2026, the market size of Chinese micro-dramas outside China is projected to exceed US$16 billion, up 67% year on year. In addition, the share of AI-generated dramas among Chinese micro-dramas going overseas continues to rise and is expected to exceed 60% by the end of 2029. Over the next three to five years, micro-dramas are expected to become an important vehicle for Chinese culture going global.
CCTV News