Core Viewpoint - The recent policy from the National Radio and Television Administration aims to enhance the supply of quality television content, particularly benefiting the drama industry by encouraging creativity and market-driven production [1][6]. Group 1: Impact on the Industry - The new measures are seen as a significant boost for the drama industry, with expectations that long-pending dramas may finally get aired [1][3]. - Companies like Baida Qiancheng, Huace Film & TV, Mango Excellent Media, and others experienced stock price surges due to the news, as they hold a substantial number of backlog dramas [1][3]. - In 2025, 71 backlog dramas are scheduled to be released, a decrease of 36 from the previous year, indicating a trend towards addressing the backlog despite overall declining numbers [3]. Group 2: Financial Implications - There are 111 dramas from 2015 to 2022 that remain unaired, with 36 of them having a combined production cost of approximately 9.071 billion, indicating significant sunk costs in the industry [3][6]. - The total estimated sunk cost for backlog dramas could reach between 16.571 billion to 20.321 billion, highlighting the financial stakes involved [3][6]. Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - A significant portion of backlog dramas (24%) is delayed due to controversies surrounding key actors, which has led to financial losses for production companies [7][8]. - The industry is exploring various methods to revitalize backlog dramas, including the use of AI technology for actor replacement and selling to secondary platforms [25][31]. - The trend of backlog dramas being sold at low prices (2-5 million per episode) reflects the financial strain on production companies, with many opting for revenue-sharing models to recoup costs [6][29]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - The market has seen a structural transformation, with a previous surge in production leading to an oversupply of content that is now being addressed through policy changes [15][18]. - The shift towards direct collaboration between platforms and production companies is reducing the role of intermediaries, which may impact the profitability of backlog dramas [32].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of film criticism in the internet age, highlighting how simplistic and emotionally charged language has become prevalent, overshadowing nuanced discussions about films [7][20][72]. Group 1: Language and Film Criticism - The rise of abstract terms like "嗲子文学" and "虐女" reflects a trend where emotional and sharp critiques gain more attention than thoughtful analysis [2][3][8]. - These labels create a narrow framework for evaluating films, reducing complex narratives to simplistic judgments [18][80]. - The phenomenon of "大词影评" (big word criticism) leads to a culture where identity and group alignment dictate film evaluations rather than the quality of the work itself [21][85]. Group 2: Impact on Audience Perception - The use of broad terms can obscure the actual content and themes of films, as seen in the criticism of "长安的荔枝" where the focus on male actors detracts from the portrayal of female characters [10][14][17]. - Emotional reactions to films often stem from group identity, leading to polarized views that can dismiss the film's artistic value [27][84]. - The article emphasizes that the reliance on these terms diminishes the audience's ability to engage with films on a deeper level, reducing personal interpretation [85][87]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The trend of using sharp language in film criticism mirrors a larger societal issue where complex discussions are often simplified into catchy phrases, impacting how people communicate and understand various topics [60][66]. - The article argues that this reductionist approach not only harms film criticism but also reflects a broader decline in thoughtful discourse in society [62][71]. - Ultimately, the article calls for a return to more nuanced and personal expressions in film criticism, allowing for a richer engagement with cinema [82][86].

Core Viewpoint - The long drama market is facing significant challenges, with the release of previously shelved dramas being seen as a potential way to revitalize the industry, but the effectiveness of this strategy is questionable [1][10][11] Group 1: Industry Challenges - The long drama industry is experiencing a prolonged investment return cycle, low capital turnover rates, and high uncertainty, making it a less attractive investment option [11] - The production costs for high-quality dramas are rising, with reality-based dramas costing around 3.5-4 million per episode and historical dramas costing 4.5-5 million per episode [11] - Advertising revenue has significantly declined, with brand advertising income dropping from nearly 11 billion in 2018 to over 4 billion in 2024, leading to cautious spending from advertisers [12] Group 2: Impact of Shelved Dramas - The release of shelved dramas has sparked discussions about their potential to save the market, but many of these dramas do not possess the quality needed to succeed [10][13] - Successful shelved dramas like "Wuyou Du" and "Zheyao" have high-quality production teams and have generated significant viewer interest, while others have struggled to gain traction [2][4][6] - The commercial viability of shelved dramas is often compromised due to insufficient pre-release marketing and advertising, leading to lower brand investment [13] Group 3: Audience Behavior and Preferences - Viewer patience is decreasing, with reports indicating that 50% of viewers abandon a series after the first episode, and only 10% watch an entire series [18][19] - The changing preferences of audiences are evident, with a shift towards lighter, more escapist content rather than serious themes, impacting the reception of dramas like "Ren Sheng Ruo Ru Qi Jian" [20][24] - The resurgence of older dramas indicates a demand for high-quality content, suggesting that the long drama market must focus on producing compelling narratives to attract viewers [23][24] Group 4: Future Opportunities - There is potential for brands to capitalize on high-quality shelved dramas at lower costs, as these projects may offer a safer investment compared to new productions [16] - Upcoming shelved dramas featuring popular actors are being closely monitored by advertisers, indicating a possible shift in market dynamics if these dramas perform well [16]

Core Insights - The competition among long video platforms for male-oriented dramas is intensifying as they prepare for the summer 2025 release schedule, with platforms like Youku, Tencent Video, and iQIYI announcing new titles [1][3][12] - The success of these dramas hinges not only on male viewership but significantly on female audience engagement, as platforms recognize that "whoever wins the female audience wins the market" [3][20] Group 1: Upcoming Dramas and Strategies - Youku's "Cang Hai Chuan" has garnered over 9 million reservations, surpassing the previous record set by "Nan Hong" [4] - Tencent's "Zhe Yao" is strategically designed to appeal to female viewers by incorporating romantic elements into its narrative, achieving over 30,000 views within six days of release [11][19] - iQIYI's "Ren Sheng Ruo Ru Chi Jian" is positioned uniquely in the market, focusing on a historical narrative that diverges from typical male-centric themes [6][9] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Audience Preferences - The male-oriented drama market is characterized by a "four-way standoff," with each platform attempting to differentiate itself through unique storytelling and character development [13][16] - Platforms are increasingly aware that merely casting popular male leads is insufficient; they must also engage female viewers through relatable narratives and emotional depth [20] - The success of dramas like "Qing Yu Nian" demonstrates the potential for male-centric stories to resonate with female audiences when they incorporate relatable themes and emotional arcs [19][20]

Group 1 - The recent announcement of three major dramas, "藏海传," "折腰," and "人生若如初见," is expected to revitalize the sluggish drama market, potentially bringing the market back to a viewership level of 300 million [1] - The introduction of Youku's "Annual Bestsellers List" indicates a shift in long video platform strategies, emphasizing member conversion as a key performance metric [2][3] - Youku's improved operational efficiency has led to a positive adjusted EBITA of 36 million yuan in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2025, marking its first profitable quarter after a year of successful drama releases [3] Group 2 - The "Annual Bestsellers List" serves as a showcase of Youku's drama performance over the past year, attracting attention from fans and boosting engagement [5] - Tencent Video's ranking system, which includes various content types, highlights the competitive landscape among platforms, with a focus on user engagement and revenue generation [11][6] - The competition for high-value users among long video platforms is intensifying, with strategies like cloud screenings and exclusive content being employed to attract and retain subscribers [19][20] Group 3 - The "cloud screening" strategy has emerged as a significant tool for platforms to maximize user engagement and revenue, with some productions reportedly covering costs to maintain relationships with platforms [17][12] - Youku's "Annual Bestsellers List" is expected to enhance its influence in the drama market, especially with the upcoming release of "藏海传," which is anticipated to mobilize fan engagement [18] - The long video industry is entering a "stock era," where platforms must innovate and diversify content offerings to attract and retain users [20][22]

Group 1 - The drama "折腰" (Bend the Waist) achieved significant popularity upon its release, with a heat value exceeding 26,000 within the first night and over 10 million interactions on various platforms within a day [1][3][4] - The production cost of "折腰" was 260 million, and it was initially shelved due to tax issues involving lead actress Song Zuer [3][4] - The success of "折腰" is attributed to its engaging storyline and the current market's struggles with long dramas, which have seen a decline in viewership and quality [4][5][6] Group 2 - The drama incorporates popular elements such as family feuds and romantic entanglements, appealing to the audience's preferences for complex narratives [6][7] - The show has received mixed reviews, with some praising its entertainment value while others criticize its handling of serious themes [8] - Advertisers have shown confidence in the series, with multiple brands investing in ad placements during the first few episodes [8][10] Group 3 - The rise of short dramas has created additional challenges for long dramas, leading to a more competitive and uncertain market environment [5][15] - The market has seen a trend of "积压剧" (shelved dramas) gaining unexpected popularity, indicating a shift in audience preferences towards quality content over quantity [12][13][20] - The overall landscape of the drama market is evolving, with a focus on high-quality, concept-driven productions that resonate with viewers [20]

Core Viewpoint - The drama market is experiencing a surge in activity with major platforms releasing new series, but underlying issues suggest a lack of sustainable growth and potential challenges ahead [1][9]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Major platforms like iQIYI, Tencent Video, and Youku are competing fiercely in the drama market, particularly during the summer season, with significant releases from each [1][9]. - The release of multiple high-profile dramas on the same day has led to a spike in viewer engagement, but the competition is primarily between iQIYI and Tencent Video, as Mango TV struggles with its recent releases [1][4]. Group 2: Individual Drama Performances - iQIYI's "If Life Were As It Was" has faced significant delays and controversies, impacting its promotional efforts and overall market presence [2][4]. - Tencent Video's "Folded Waist" has performed well despite initial concerns over its lead actress's behavior, achieving record viewership on its premiere day [4][6]. - The upcoming drama "Cang Hai Chuan," directed by Zheng Xiaolong and starring Xiao Zhan, is highly anticipated, but it may face challenges due to its dual-platform release strategy [6][9]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The long-form drama market is struggling, with many anticipated series failing to meet expectations, leading to a shift towards shorter content formats [10][12]. - Platforms are increasingly focusing on micro and short dramas, indicating a significant change in content strategy as they adapt to viewer preferences [10][12]. - The lack of blockbuster dramas in the upcoming summer season raises concerns about the overall health of the long video industry, which is currently facing a downturn [13][14].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the release of the long-awaited drama "Zhe Yao" as a response to the current challenges in the drama market, including a lack of blockbuster content and the rise of short dramas [1][7][9] - The drama "Zhe Yao," produced by Tencent Video and adapted from a popular web novel, has generated significant anticipation, with over 250,000 reservations on Tencent's platform prior to its release [1][6][16] - The release of "Zhe Yao" and other backlog dramas is seen as a proactive measure to mitigate losses caused by regulatory scrutiny and the impact of negative publicity surrounding certain actors [2][18][21] Group 2 - The drama market is currently experiencing a "project drought," with a notable decrease in the number of new long dramas being produced, leading to a situation described as an "ice age" for the industry [8][9][10] - Data indicates that the number of dramas receiving distribution licenses has sharply declined from 429 in 2014 to only 156 in 2023, with projections suggesting further reductions in 2024 [8][9] - The audience's demand for quality content, particularly in the ancient romance genre, is evident, as "Zhe Yao" is viewed as a potential savior for the long video platforms [14][15][11] Group 3 - The article discusses the broader implications of the backlog of dramas, which have been delayed due to various factors, including sensitive topics and controversies surrounding actors, creating significant financial risks for production companies [2][20][22] - The industry is exploring various strategies to address these challenges, including the use of AI technology for character replacement in dramas featuring controversial actors [25][26] - There is a growing sentiment that the release of backlog dramas could signal a turning point for the long drama market, potentially leading to a recovery phase [30]