Incredibly, by 2030, the microdrama segment in China alone is projected to generate $16.2 billion in revenue, accounting for 11.5% of the country’s annual film industry growth.
In less than a decade, these short, low-budget web series have evolved from a quirky experiment into a cash cow, complete with franchises, premium content, and a dedicated fan base. This year marks a pivotal shift, as the new format threatens to outpace traditional Chinese box office earnings, raking in an astonishing $9.4 billion (yes, colleagues, brace yourselves). And the momentum is only building.
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It’s no surprise that China’s success is spreading globally, offering producers a lucrative formula with a modest price tag: top-tier microdramas cost around $600,000 to produce yet yield millions in profit. Their highly loyal audiences only sweeten the deal.
Over the next five years, a global IP pipeline is set to accelerate, ushering in new talent and flagship studios. Just as streaming seemed to kill traditional TV, a far more formidable rival has emerged in its shadow. Can the global VOD industry coexist with this new powerhouse in the same tank?

