数娱工场 | 产值已达40亿美元、“AI制片”入局，2026海外短剧或迎“剧”变时刻？
Xin Hua Cai Jing·2026-01-21 11:13

Core Insights - The overseas micro-short drama market is experiencing significant growth, with a projected market size of $4 billion by 2025, expected to exceed $5 billion by 2026 [2][3] - Monthly active users have surpassed 100 million, indicating a strong potential for future growth in user acquisition [2][3] - Major platforms like TikTok are accelerating their presence in the market, with the launch of dedicated short drama applications [1][2] Market Performance - The estimated download volume for overseas micro-short drama apps is projected to reach 1.855 billion by 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of over 300% [3] - The revenue composition shows that Chinese micro-short drama applications dominate, with in-app purchase revenue expected to be approximately $2.163 billion, accounting for 94.93% of the global market [3] - The top 20 platforms are expected to generate over $1.897 billion in in-app purchase revenue, indicating a highly concentrated market [4] Competitive Landscape - The market is witnessing a significant increase in advertising spending, with a total of 13.957 million ad materials projected for 2025 [5] - The number of overseas micro-short drama applications has surged from around 200 at the beginning of the year to approximately 1,100 by year-end, reflecting a rapid expansion of participants [5] - The competition is intensifying as both local and international players, including traditional media giants, enter the market [5][6] Challenges and Opportunities - The production and operational costs for short dramas are rising significantly, with overseas production costs potentially increasing up to seven times compared to domestic costs [6] - The industry is transitioning towards a more mature phase, with a focus on high-quality content production and localization to meet diverse cultural demands [7][8] - Innovations in AI technology are seen as a potential solution to address production capacity and cost challenges, with expectations for breakthroughs in the "AI+" era [9]