Microdramas are playing a key role in redefining what premium storytelling means in the digital era. By combining the immediacy of social media with the emotional depth of TV drama, they are becoming increasingly popular with mobile audiences
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Summary
Microdramas are playing a key role in redefining what premium storytelling means in the digital era. By combining the immediacy of social media with the emotional depth of TV drama, they are becoming increasingly popular among mobile audiences.
Microdramas becoming a core part of the digital entertainment ecosystem
New research carried out by Omdia shows that microdramas, a fast-growing short-form scripted video format, are projected to generate $11bn in global revenue by 2025. The analysis indicates that microdramas—short, serialized stories typically running two to three minutes per episode—have emerged as a significant category within mobile-first video entertainment.
To put this total in context, revenue from this format is forecast to be nearly twice that of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels, which Omdia expects to reach $5.8bn in full-year 2025.
The key takeaway is that microdramas are redefining what premium storytelling means in the digital era. They combine the immediacy of social media with the emotional depth of television drama. They are short, accessible, and increasingly popular among mobile audiences.
Omdia’s research data indicates that more than 60% of global microdrama revenue comes from subscription or transactional payments, often following a free introductory model. The average revenue per user (ARPU) can reach $20 per week or up to $80 per month, underscoring the format’s strong monetization potential.
China accounts for 83% of total revenue, driven by its large-scale audiences and mobile viewing trends. Outside China, the US leads international markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, the UK, and Thailand, where adoption continues to grow.
Viewers are increasingly willing to pay for content that engages them immediately. While attention spans are shorter, engagement levels are deeper, and Omdia believes that is what makes this format so commercially effective.
Omdia’s analysis further suggests that microdramas are poised to become a core part of the digital entertainment ecosystem, sitting between social video and traditional scripted television. The rise of microdramas illustrates how new storytelling models and distribution platforms continue to reshape global viewing behavior. This marks the next phase of evolution in digital content.
Figure 1: China rules Microdramas
Source: Omdia
Figure 2: US dominates FAST
Source: Omdia
Appendix
Author
Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Research Director, Media and Entertainment
