Core Insights - The long video industry is transitioning into a new cycle focused on quality content creation after a prolonged phase of "land grabbing" and intense "cost reduction and efficiency improvement" [2] - A new industry anxiety has emerged as many projects are trapped in a "data inflation" cycle, where high surface-level popularity lacks genuine social impact and user reputation [2] - The traditional fixed fee model for content production limits ambition and creates a disconnect between content production and revenue mechanisms, leading to a market filled with mediocre content [2][5] Group 1: Industry Changes - The call for premium content to receive priority returns has been echoed in recent policies, such as the "21 Articles" directive [2] - Youku's new post-broadcast verification strategy, integrating the Effective Play Index (EPI) rating system, aims to break the wall between revenue and performance for content creators [2][5] - The EPI model shifts revenue structures from a fixed fee to a combination of fixed costs, variable management fees, and unlimited incentives, allowing for greater potential earnings based on performance [5][8] Group 2: EPI Model Implementation - The EPI model is designed to align content creators' earnings with actual audience engagement, moving the focus from merely satisfying platform demands to genuinely engaging users [8][9] - This model is a response to the industry's need for a more transparent and trust-based relationship between platforms and content creators, addressing concerns about data authenticity and algorithm transparency [9][12] - The EPI is not just a traffic metric; it incorporates multiple dimensions such as user scale, membership revenue, and viewing duration, thus reflecting the true commercial value of content [8][12] Group 3: Trust and Transparency - Youku's commitment to transparency includes real-time data access for content creators, allowing them to monitor their EPI scores and corresponding incentives [12] - The platform aims to build trust through clear standards and data sharing, moving away from the opaque "black box" nature of previous models [9][12] - Youku is also enhancing its industrial capabilities by providing advanced production tools and technologies to support content creators in achieving high EPI scores [12][14] Group 4: Talent Development - To address talent shortages in the industry, Youku is establishing a closed-loop system for screenwriters and directors, ensuring a continuous influx of new talent [15] - Initiatives like the "Whale Super Class" and collaborations with international entities aim to cultivate a robust talent pool for the industry [15] - These efforts signal a shift towards a more collaborative partnership model between platforms and content creators, fostering a symbiotic relationship [17]

Core Insights - The competition landscape in the long video industry is shifting, with Mango TV and Bilibili emerging as significant competitors to Youku, which is now lagging behind [1][6][10] - Mango TV has shown strong growth in user engagement, with its monthly active users (MAU) surpassing Youku, while Youku's performance has been relatively stagnant [1][6] - Youku is actively responding to market pressures by announcing a robust content lineup for 2025, including over 230 new titles, with a focus on original IPs [1][2][11] Group 1: Industry Competition - As of March, Tencent Video and iQIYI have MAUs of 370 million and 365 million respectively, while Youku's MAU is only half of these figures [1] - Mango TV has solidified its position as the third player in the industry, with a notable advantage over Youku and a significant increase in user engagement for short dramas [1][6] - The short drama market is experiencing rapid growth, with a 34.9% increase in market size to 504.4 billion yuan in 2024, indicating a shift in viewer preferences [18] Group 2: Mango TV's Strategy - Mango TV announced 88 new drama resources at its spring recruitment conference, focusing on diverse genres including historical dramas and sci-fi [7][10] - The platform aims to build a content matrix that balances commercial value and artistic depth, targeting various audience segments [10] - Mango TV's financial performance has faced challenges, with revenue and net profit declining, but it continues to invest in high-quality content [6] Group 3: Youku's Response - Youku is adopting a "guarding the basics while innovating" strategy, focusing on enhancing its content depth and user engagement [11] - The platform has announced several high-profile dramas and is committed to producing quality content that resonates with viewers [11][13] - Youku is also exploring the short drama segment, having established a micro-short drama center to enhance its competitive edge [25]

Core Insights - The drama market is experiencing a shift with a decline in the effectiveness of traditional marketing strategies such as drama sponsorships, leading to a more pragmatic approach in marketing efforts [3][4][6] - The number of brands collaborating with dramas has increased, indicating a potential shift towards more direct and measurable marketing strategies [14][18] Group 1: Market Trends - Recent dramas like "国色芳华" and "难哄" have generated significant buzz, but overall viewership numbers are struggling to reach previous highs, with many key dramas failing to surpass 20 million views [1] - The trend of drama sponsorship is slowing down, with fewer major dramas able to attract substantial sponsorship deals compared to the previous year [6][9] - The rise of micro-short dramas and changing consumer behavior are impacting traditional long-form video platforms, leading to a more competitive environment for viewer attention [11][20] Group 2: Marketing Strategies - The effectiveness of drama sponsorship is being questioned as brands seek better value for their investments, especially when compared to the performance of variety shows [9][22] - New marketing strategies are emerging, such as "全集有广," which focuses on the overall performance of a drama rather than individual sponsorships, reflecting a shift in how success is measured [13][20] - Brands are increasingly engaging directly with audiences through social media and promotional events, enhancing their visibility and connection with viewers [31][34] Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - The lack of blockbuster dramas is causing advertisers to be more cautious, as the risk of associating with underperforming shows increases [6][9] - There is a growing need for drama marketing to extend beyond platform-specific promotions to ensure broader audience engagement and brand visibility [24][34] - Collaborative marketing efforts, such as "全家桶" style partnerships, are becoming more common, allowing multiple brands to coexist within a single drama, thus maximizing exposure [28][30]