Microdramas will generate $11bn by end of 2025, according to Omdia report

Omdia’s María Rua Aguete

MIPCOM: Microdramas, short fiction formats are growing at a rapid pace and will generate global revenues of US$11bn by the end of  2025, according to new data presented in Cannes by María Rua Aguete, head of media and entertainment at the consultancy Omdia.

The report highlighted the explosive growth of these series designed for mobile consumption, with episodes under 10 minutes long. According to Omdia, revenue from this genre will be almost double that of FAST channels, estimated at US$5.8bn for next year.

“Microdramas are redefining what it means to tell premium stories in the digital age. They combine the immediacy of social media with the emotional depth of dramatic television. They are short, addictive, and irresistible,” said Rua Aguete.

The monetisation model for microdramas is simple and highly effective: the first episodes are free, and the rest are offered through subscription or pay-per-episode channels, representing more than 60% of total revenue. According to Omdia, average revenue per user (ARPU) can reach US$20 per week or up to US$80 per month, demonstrating their enormous profitability potential.

China remains the epicentre of this phenomenon, accounting for 83% of global revenue, driven by a massive audience and predominantly mobile consumption. Outside of China, the US leads with half of international revenue, followed by Japan, South Korea, the UK and Thailand as key emerging markets.

“Viewers are willing to pay for content that captures them emotionally in seconds. Microdramas demonstrate that attention spans may be shorter, but engagement is deeper and more valuable,” the executive added.

As consumer habits evolve, Omdia’s analysis suggests that microdramas will become a central pillar of digital entertainment, uniting social video with traditional television storytelling.

“The rise of microdramas is a perfect example of how innovation in storytelling and distribution continues to transform audience behaviour globally. This isn’t just a trend: it’s the next wave in the evolution of content,” Rua Aguete concluded.