Core Insights - "Sweeping Drug Storm" has emerged as a dark horse in the summer drama season, showcasing a gripping narrative and a blend of historical and fateful storytelling [2] - The series achieved a peak viewership rating of 2.8568% and topped all major time slots 16 times since its premiere on July 12 [2] - The show has received high audience ratings, with a Douban score starting at 7.9 and peaking at 8.0, making it the highest-rated domestic drama of the summer [2] Group 1: Narrative and Production - The series is set against the backdrop of the 1990s, focusing on the drug enforcement efforts of police officer Lin Qiangfeng and the ensuing conflict with drug trafficker Lu Shaohua [4] - "Sweeping Drug Storm" took five years from conception to release, emphasizing a "realism" approach through extensive field research to accurately depict the challenges of drug enforcement [6] - The show employs a documentary-style filming technique, enhancing the immersive experience for viewers by authentically recreating the 1990s atmosphere [6][8] Group 2: Industry Impact and Future Prospects - The series represents a new benchmark in the crime drama genre, showcasing innovative storytelling that blends multiple narratives and perspectives [8] - New Classics Media has a strong track record in various genres, including adaptations of serious literature and urban dramas, maintaining a high success rate in the industry [9] - The success of "Sweeping Drug Storm" reinforces New Classics Media's commitment to quality content and its strategic expansion into the public security and law enforcement genre, with several upcoming projects in the pipeline [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Tencent Video's effective content strategy that balances between traditional costume dramas and realistic themes, allowing the platform to thrive in a competitive landscape while addressing diverse audience preferences [2][3][4]. Group 1: Content Strategy - Tencent Video's content strategy for 2025 focuses on a dual approach, successfully breaking the long-standing dominance of costume dramas by achieving a balance between costume and realistic themes [3][6]. - The platform employs a "dual-line drive" model, maintaining a strong flow of head content while exploring niche genres, which helps secure its leading position in the long video sector [3][16]. - The summer season of 2025 saw a near-equal representation of costume and realistic dramas among the top 20 series, marking a significant shift in audience preferences [6][12]. Group 2: Performance Metrics - The costume drama "Chang'an's Lychee" achieved high ratings, consistently ranking first in multiple viewership metrics during its broadcast [7]. - "Sweeping Drug Storm," a realistic drama, garnered significant attention with a peak viewership of 2.5483% and a high Douban rating, indicating its strong market performance [12][15]. - Tencent Video dominated the top 10 list of effective plays in the first half of 2025, with four series, showcasing its ability to attract substantial viewership [19]. Group 3: Market Adaptation - The article highlights the importance of adapting to market changes, with Tencent Video's strategy reflecting a balance between headliners and niche content to navigate uncertainties in the industry [27][30]. - The platform's approach includes leveraging short video formats to enhance the visibility and longevity of its series, effectively driving user engagement back to the main platform [30][31]. - Tencent Video's collaboration with traditional broadcasting channels allows it to reach a broader audience, enhancing its influence across different demographics [30][31]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that Tencent Video's balanced strategy positions it well for sustainable growth in the evolving long video industry, emphasizing the need for platforms to embrace diversity while maintaining content quality [31][32]. - The ongoing competition in the long video sector will increasingly favor platforms that can demonstrate resilience and adaptability, rather than relying solely on short-term successes [32].