Investment Rating - The report indicates a transformative year for the drama series market in 2025, with a focus on the diversification of content forms and audience engagement strategies [2][5]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes the evolving viewer behavior in drama consumption, highlighting the importance of understanding audience preferences and decision-making processes [3][4]. - It identifies a significant trend towards shorter and more varied content formats, with long dramas needing to adapt to retain core audiences [2][3]. Audience Behavior Changes - The report analyzes the viewing habits of long drama audiences, focusing on their motivations, content preferences, and time allocation for entertainment [5]. - A total of 2876 valid samples were collected from various city tiers and age groups, specifically targeting viewers who have watched long dramas in the past year [6]. Viewing Device Preferences - Smart TVs are preferred for the best viewing experience, especially among audiences aged 25 and above, who seek high-quality content [10][11]. - The most commonly used devices for watching dramas include smartphones, smart TVs, and tablets, with a notable rise in the use of car screens among younger viewers [14][17]. Membership Payment Willingness - Over 90% of viewers have purchased video memberships in the past year, with 71% indicating they only buy memberships when they have specific shows they want to watch [19][20]. - The willingness to pay for memberships decreases among viewers aged 18 and below, with a higher tendency to watch free episodes or seek pirated content [23][24]. Viewer Decision Drivers - Actor appeal is the primary driver for viewers when choosing which dramas to watch, with 90% of respondents indicating they follow favorite actors [41]. - Fresh story concepts and engaging high-light clips also significantly influence viewer decisions, with nearly 50% of viewers attracted by new story settings [41][42]. Content Preferences - The report reveals a shift towards niche content, with younger audiences favoring romance and fantasy genres, while older viewers prefer suspense and historical dramas [53][54]. - The popularity of strong lead characters remains high, with a 60% preference for "big male and female lead" dramas, reflecting a deeper societal resonance with these character types [55][56]. Entertainment Time Allocation - The report notes a significant increase in time spent on social media and short videos, with only 20% of long drama viewers increasing their short drama viewing time [99][100]. - Younger audiences are more inclined to explore diverse entertainment options, including short dramas and variety shows, compared to older demographics [101][102].