专访河马剧场负责人张翔宇：短剧渗透仍未到达天花板，数亿播放爆款持续涌现

Core Insights - The key term for the short drama market in 2025 is "free," with major internet companies and long video platforms increasing their investments in this area [1][8] - The creation of short dramas has expanded in terms of themes and boundaries, leading to a surge of various hit shows [1][5] Industry Trends - The short drama "Out" has achieved significant success, ranking first on the paid chart for three consecutive days with a cumulative heat value exceeding 37 million and nearly 600 million views [1][3] - The genre of anti-gambling short dramas has proven to be popular, with "Out" featuring a more realistic portrayal of gambling psychology and techniques compared to previous works [3][4] - The industry is witnessing a shift in audience preferences, with a broader range of themes being explored, including suspense and reality-based stories, alongside traditional genres like "霸总" and "甜宠" [5][8] Market Dynamics - The paid short drama market has seen a decline, with projects consuming over 30 million now considered major hits, while the number of projects exceeding 100 million in consumption is very limited [5][8] - The free model has gained traction, with platforms like Hongguo Short Drama seeing over 10 billion views for multiple shows this year, indicating a significant shift in how success is measured [5][8] - The market for micro and short dramas in China is projected to exceed 50 billion yuan in 2024, with free content accounting for a substantial portion of this growth [8][10] Content Creation Strategies - The industry is focusing on micro-innovations in content creation, with successful projects often building on existing successful formulas while introducing new elements [4][12] - Platforms are increasingly investing in content quality and differentiation, with companies like 河马剧场 offering substantial support to creators, including guaranteed payments and promotional assistance [10][12] - The future of the short drama market is expected to emphasize quality, with a belief that the free model will remain sustainable despite initial high costs [12]