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Hello reader,
Like most of you reading this, I am guilty of spending too much time on my phone watching Instagram Reels.
It’s very easy to get sucked into that time-killer, and before you know it, 30 minutes have passed, leaving you wondering what exactly you learned in that time. We shouldn’t feel too guilty, of course, as the algorithms powering short-video platforms are pretty adept at giving us the dopamine hits we crave.
Today’s premium story highlights a new trend that’s taking this mobile video obsession to another level: vertical microdramas.
Designed specifically for smartphone viewing, the format has already taken China by storm and is a big revenue generator for production companies. They’re likely coming to your screen soon.
Today we look at:
- Microdramas, big revenues
- Microsoft closing an AI research lab in China
- Other newsy highlights such as South Korean AI startup Wrtn scoring US$73 million in funding and Foxconn planning to double iPhone production in India.
Premium summary
Screen time
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Short, bite-sized videos known as microdramas have taken off in a big way in China. They made more revenue in the country last year than films at the box office did.
Watched vertically on a phone, the trend is now making its way to Southeast Asia.
- Comfort watch: The format’s appeal lies in its convenience. Microdramas feature bite-sized episodes with simple plot lines and cliffhangers.
- Monetization: Whereas traditional streaming platforms tend to operate on a subscription model, most microdramas use a pay-as-you-go approach.
- Think local: Companies in Southeast Asia have jumped on the trend and started producing original microdramas, though they may struggle to compete with Chinese production firms.
Read more: China’s hooked on microdramas. Will Southeast Asia tune in?
Microsoft’s China pullback
Unlock the region’s digital future and investment hotspots at the inaugural Asia Economic Summit
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