过去二十年，中国企业的全球化故事，大多始于产品。无论是义乌的小商品，还是深圳的电子制造，叙事的核心往往落在价格、供应链与速度上。如今，这 个版图正在悄然换景：中国正在输出的，不再只是"可替代品"，而是一整套带有文化色彩的体验与认同。它既抽象：落在文化、情绪、故事感知这些无形之 物上；又具体：通过游戏的竞技热潮、短剧的日常叙事、新消费的味觉符号、资本的全球布局，被触摸、被购买、被记住。 9月18日，36氪举办的「破圈·跨海：中国品牌文化走进全球」主题交流会，聚焦文化出海，汇集游戏、新消费、短剧、资本等多个领域的代表力量，讨论中 国文化在全球市场的新路径、新挑战与新机遇。 值得注意的是，海外短剧的用户付费渗透率仍有很大提升空间。根据我们与奈飞的用户数据对比，大部分短剧用户也是奈飞用户，但仅有百分之几的奈飞用 户会观看微短剧。这意味着海外市场在用户维度上还有巨大的增长潜力。 枫叶互动副总裁南亚鹏发表演讲，以下为演讲实录，经36氪整理编辑： 大家下午好，非常荣幸能够受到36氪的邀请，参加今天的品牌文化出海活动。 大家可能对于中国的微短剧已经很熟悉，这两年中国微短剧发展非常迅速，去年市场规模已经超过中国电影票房规模，今 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rise of the Chinese short drama platform ReelShort in the U.S. market, highlighting its unique business model and financial performance, while also addressing the challenges it faces in sustaining growth and profitability [8][9][12]. Group 1: Market Performance - ReelShort has captured a 29.13% market share in the U.S. short drama market, which is projected to generate $102 million in revenue by August 2025, reflecting a 4.48% quarter-over-quarter growth [9]. - In the first half of 2025, the overseas short drama market saw Chinese companies dominate the revenue rankings, with ReelShort earning $264 million, followed by DramaBox at $233 million and GoodShort at $104 million [12]. - Despite significant revenue growth, ReelShort's parent company, Crazy Maple Studio (CMS), reported a net loss of 46.51 million yuan in the first half of 2025, contrasting with a net profit of 22.93 million yuan in the same period of 2024 [12][17]. Group 2: Financial Analysis - CMS's revenue surged to 2.76 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a 154.14% year-over-year increase, yet the company faced a net loss, indicating a "revenue without profit" scenario [12][14]. - The financial performance of CMS showed a dramatic shift from a net profit of 7.91 million yuan in 2024 to a loss in 2025, highlighting the cost pressures associated with rapid expansion [17][35]. - The company's operational costs have increased, with user acquisition costs rising in a competitive environment, leading to a challenging financial landscape [21][35]. Group 3: Business Model and Strategy - ReelShort employs a "fast in, fast out" production model, keeping production costs for each drama under $300,000 and completing production within three months [20]. - The platform targets primarily female users aged 18 to 45, particularly stay-at-home mothers, using social media advertising to drive downloads and engagement [20][21]. - Despite its success, ReelShort still relies on traditional internet customer acquisition strategies, which may not be sustainable in the long term [21][35]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The domestic short drama market in China is projected to reach 67.79 billion yuan by 2025, with a significant growth rate of 34.90% in 2024 [23][29]. - The Red Fruit short drama app has emerged as a competitor, utilizing a free-to-watch model supported by in-app advertising, which contrasts with ReelShort's paid content strategy [24][29]. - The article notes a growing concern within the industry regarding the sustainability of content quality and user engagement as the market matures [32][38].

Core Viewpoint - The overseas short drama market is seen as a "100 billion dollar blue ocean," but its growth relies heavily on user novelty and impulse consumption, facing challenges from content homogenization and aesthetic fatigue [4][34]. Group 1: Market Overview - The short drama platform ReelShort has emerged as a leader in the overseas market, capturing a 29.13% market share in the U.S. short drama sector, which generated $102 million in revenue in August 2025, reflecting a 4.48% month-over-month growth [5][6]. - In the first half of 2025, the overseas short drama market saw Chinese companies dominate the revenue rankings, with ReelShort, DramaBox, and GoodShort earning $264 million, $233 million, and $104 million respectively [9]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Despite significant revenue growth, ReelShort's parent company, Crazy Maple Studio (CMS), reported a net loss of 46.51 million yuan in the first half of 2025, contrasting with a net profit of 22.93 million yuan in the same period of 2024 [9][18]. - CMS's revenue surged to 2.76 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a 154.14% year-over-year increase, but the financial performance indicates a typical "increased revenue without increased profit" scenario [9][37]. Group 3: Business Model and Strategy - ReelShort's business model combines "Chinese core + American production + fast-paced logic," allowing it to efficiently produce dramas at a cost of $300,000 per episode within three months [20][21]. - The platform targets U.S. women aged 18 to 45, particularly stay-at-home mothers, using social media advertising to drive impulse consumption [21][28]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The competition in the overseas short drama market is intensifying, with rising customer acquisition costs and a need for platforms to establish scale advantages to succeed [22][37]. - The domestic short drama market in China is also experiencing rapid growth, with a projected market size of 67.79 billion yuan in 2025, driven by platforms like Hongguo Short Drama, which utilizes a free-to-watch model supported by in-app advertising [25][31]. Group 5: Cultural and Market Challenges - The success of ReelShort raises questions about whether it represents a victory for Chinese cultural output or merely a flow of traffic, as the content is heavily localized for American audiences [33][34]. - The industry faces anxiety over the sustainability of growth, as the reliance on novelty and impulse consumption may lead to challenges when user interest wanes [34][41].

Core Viewpoint - Chinese Online frequently faces share reductions from executives and major shareholders like Tencent and Reading Group, raising concerns about potential insider trading and the sustainability of its growth strategy, particularly in the short drama overseas market [1][2][3] Share Reduction Details - On September 11, major shareholders Shenzhen Litong and Shanghai Reading announced plans to reduce their holdings by up to 14,570,002 shares, accounting for no more than 2% of the total share capital [2] - Shenzhen Litong, a Tencent subsidiary, and Shanghai Reading, a Reading Group subsidiary, each plan to sell 7,285,001 shares, representing 1% of the total share capital [2][3] - The reduction period is set from October 13, 2025, to January 12, 2026, excluding any legally mandated blackout periods [3] Executive Share Reduction - The company’s executives also participated in share reductions, with a total of 877,094 shares sold, representing 0.1204% of the total share capital [3][4] - The total cash raised from these executive reductions is approximately 25 million yuan, with the largest amount coming from the company secretary, who sold over 10 million yuan worth of shares [3] Stock Price Movements - The company’s stock price surged following the announcement of its international short drama platform, FlareFlow, leading to speculation that the secretary may have timed the sale to capitalize on the stock price peak [6][4] - The stock price reached a high of 33.85 yuan per share, while the secretary's average selling price was 34.20 yuan, indicating a strategic exit at a high point [4][6] Business Performance - Chinese Online reported a revenue increase of 20.4% year-on-year for the first half of 2025, reaching 556 million yuan, despite continuing to incur losses [10] - The net loss for the same period was 226 million yuan, a 50.84% increase compared to the previous year, attributed to high sales expenses, particularly in overseas marketing [10] Short Drama Market Potential - The company’s new platform, FlareFlow, launched in April 2025, quickly gained traction, reaching the top 5 in the US Google Play entertainment category within two months [11] - Despite the initial success, concerns remain about the sustainability of this growth, as the company’s subsidiaries continue to report losses and lack a solid business cycle [11][12] Industry Competition - The short drama market is becoming increasingly crowded, with numerous new entrants and established companies like ByteDance launching competing platforms [15] - The number of short drama apps launched overseas has surged, indicating a growing interest and competition in this segment [15]

Core Viewpoint - The short drama market in China is rapidly growing, with a projected market size exceeding 60 billion RMB in 2024, and the trend is expanding internationally, particularly in the U.S. [2][3] Market Overview - The global short drama app downloads are expected to reach 370 million in Q1 2025, a fivefold increase year-on-year [3] - U.S. users contributed half of the total revenue from global short drama apps in the first quarter of this year, with top apps like ReelShort, DramaBox, and GoodShort capturing 50% of the market downloads [3][4] Revenue Generation - In the first three months, short drama apps generated nearly 350 million USD in revenue in the U.S. through subscriptions and pay-per-episode models [3] - ReelShort's monthly revenue from the series "My Billionaire Husband's Double Life" surpassed 3.5 million USD, with total views exceeding 420 million, significantly outperforming Netflix's "Squid Game" [4] Content Strategy - Short drama platforms utilize a "trial and error + optimization" model, allowing for rapid adjustments based on user data to enhance viewer engagement [5][6] - The platforms initially attempted to translate existing Chinese dramas for international markets but shifted to creating original scripts tailored to local audiences [6] Production and Adaptation - ReelShort's strategy includes quickly adapting scripts for different markets, enhancing local relevance and reducing costs [6] - The rapid production cycle allows for multiple versions of the same IP to be created, increasing content availability and market responsiveness [6] Challenges in the Market - The competition is fierce, with over 300 short drama apps in the overseas market, most developed by Chinese companies, but only about 10% of these apps survive long-term [7] - Local production teams often lack experience and capacity, leading to slow content updates and user dissatisfaction [7] Cost and Marketing Issues - Marketing and production costs are rising, with user acquisition costs increasing from 1 USD to 5-10 USD in the U.S. market [8] - The production cost for a short drama has escalated from approximately 100,000 USD in 2022 to 250,000-300,000 USD currently [8] Content Quality and Legal Risks - The issue of content homogenization and copyright infringement is becoming more pronounced, with a doubling of plagiarism disputes reported in 2025 [9] - Companies face significant challenges in protecting their intellectual property rights internationally due to varying legal systems and complex litigation processes [9]

Core Viewpoint - Chinese Online's financial report for the first half of 2025 reveals a significant increase in revenue but a further expansion of losses, highlighting challenges in its overseas market strategy, particularly with the FlareFlow app [3][4][25]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Chinese Online reported a revenue of 556 million yuan, a 20.40% increase from 462 million yuan in the same period last year [3]. - The net profit attributable to shareholders was -226 million yuan, worsening from -150 million yuan year-on-year, marking a 50.84% decline [3]. - The company's operating costs rose to 379 million yuan, a 7.45% increase compared to the previous year, with sales expenses surging by 42.78% to 266 million yuan due to increased overseas promotional costs [4]. Group 2: Overseas Market Strategy - FlareFlow, a micro-drama app launched by Chinese Online, has seen significant user engagement, with daily viewing times averaging 31.5 minutes and several works surpassing one million USD in recharge [3][9]. - The app generated approximately 7.84 million yuan in revenue in the first half of 2025, but still reported a net loss of 4.55 million yuan [7][8]. - The establishment of the FlareFlow subsidiary in Singapore aims to enhance overseas short drama operations, contributing 20% to the company's net profit impact [6]. Group 3: Content and User Engagement - FlareFlow has successfully aggregated over 1,700 quality short dramas and achieved a cumulative download of around 10 million within three months of launch [9]. - The app employs a diversified monetization strategy, combining in-app purchases, membership options, and free advertising to attract both high-paying and price-sensitive users [15][16]. - The content strategy includes a focus on local dramas, with a significant portion of materials exceeding five minutes, aimed at global audiences through multilingual support [24]. Group 4: Challenges and Opportunities - The competitive landscape for overseas micro-drama apps has intensified, with over 500 apps currently in the market, leading to increased user attention competition [25]. - Production costs in the micro-drama industry have doubled compared to previous years, adding to the profitability pressure for Chinese Online [25]. - The company plans to explore "actor agency + IP development" to address local actor shortages and enhance content value, potentially transforming FlareFlow into a content ecosystem platform [25][28]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Chinese Online's strategy of leveraging its extensive IP library and establishing local teams in overseas markets is seen as a "land grab" approach to secure market presence [28]. - The integration of AI technology in content creation and marketing is expected to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency, providing a pathway for future profitability [16][28]. - The success of FlareFlow and its ability to differentiate content will be crucial for the company's "AI + overseas" strategy to succeed [29].

Core Viewpoint - The recent financial report from Chinese Online reveals that its subsidiary, ReelShort, has faced significant losses despite the booming overseas short drama market, indicating a challenging environment for profitability in this sector [2][4][6]. Group 1: Financial Performance of ReelShort - In the first half of 2025, ReelShort generated revenue of 2.756 billion yuan, but incurred a loss of 46.5115 million yuan [2][4]. - Compared to the same period last year, where revenue was 1.087 billion yuan and net profit was 22.93 million yuan, ReelShort's current performance reflects a shift to a "loss-making" business model [4]. - Despite the losses, ReelShort maintained its market share, with a net revenue of 207 million USD, a 176% increase from 74.98 million USD in the same period of 2024 [18][19]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Growth - The overseas short drama market has seen explosive growth, with total in-app purchase revenue reaching approximately 1.079 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 158% [9]. - Download volumes for short drama apps reached 665 million in the first half of 2025, nearly six times that of the same period in 2024 [10]. - The number of new overseas short drama apps launched in the first half of 2025 was over 100, bringing the total to 343 apps by July [13][14]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - New entrants like NetShort and DramaWave have rapidly ascended in the market, with NetShort achieving top 5 status in in-app purchases and DramaWave reporting revenue of 583 million yuan in the short drama sector [30][31]. - DramaWave's success is attributed to its hit series and aggressive marketing strategies, leading to significant user engagement and revenue growth [32][33]. - The emergence of these platforms indicates that there are multiple pathways to success in the rapidly expanding overseas short drama market, beyond the traditional leaders [33].

Core Viewpoint - The rapid rise of short dramas in the global market presents significant opportunities for Chinese digital content companies, with Chinese Online (中文在线) making notable advancements in this sector, particularly through its platform FlareFlow and its stake in Maple Leaf Interactive (枫叶互动) [2][3]. Group 1: Company Performance - Chinese Online's stock price reached a new high of 33.95 yuan, with a 20.01% increase, indicating strong market interest [2]. - Maple Leaf Interactive's core product, ReelShort, generated revenue of $384 million (approximately 2.76 billion yuan) in the first half of 2025, marking a 270% year-on-year increase and securing the top position in the global overseas revenue market for short dramas [2]. Group 2: FlareFlow Platform Growth - FlareFlow, launched in late April 2025, has shown significant growth, nearing 10 million downloads and generating approximately $20 million in user recharge within three months [4]. - The platform ranked 4th on the iOS free chart in the U.S. as of August 20, 2025, reflecting its increasing market influence [4]. Group 3: Content Strategy and Audience Engagement - FlareFlow has aggregated over 1,700 short dramas, with a focus on content that resonates with women aged 20-35, emphasizing emotional storytelling [6]. - Users are reportedly watching an average of 22 short dramas daily, with strong retention and payment metrics [6]. Group 4: Advertising and Market Strategy - FlareFlow employs a "long material direct investment" strategy, directly distributing complete episodes and utilizing multilingual content to reach a global audience, significantly improving advertising conversion rates [7]. - Key growth markets include North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, where the platform's material strategy has proven effective [7]. Group 5: AI Integration and Cost Efficiency - The rapid growth of FlareFlow is closely linked to Chinese Online's strategic investments in AI, enhancing various aspects of content creation and distribution, leading to a 70% reduction in production cycles and significant cost savings [8]. Group 6: Industry Trends and Future Directions - FlareFlow represents not just a successful product but also a potential future direction for the short drama industry, with plans for differentiated strategies in Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese markets [9]. - The platform aims to enrich its community ecosystem by incorporating user-generated content and collaborating with over ten overseas production companies, enhancing its global content supply chain [9].

Core Viewpoint - The rapid rise of short dramas in the global market presents significant opportunities for Chinese digital content companies, with Chinese Online leading the charge through its innovative platform FlareFlow and its stake in CMS, which has achieved remarkable revenue growth in the overseas short drama sector [1][2]. Company Summary - Chinese Online's stock surged to a new high of 33.95 yuan, reflecting strong market interest and expectations [1]. - The company has launched FlareFlow, a new short drama platform that has quickly gained traction, and its affiliate CMS reported a revenue of $384 million (approximately 2.76 billion yuan) in the first half of 2025, marking a 270% year-on-year increase [1][2]. - FlareFlow has accumulated nearly 10 million downloads and generated close to $20 million in user recharge within three months of its launch [3]. Industry Summary - The overseas short drama market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the successful replication and localization of domestic short drama models, which have proven their viability and strong market appeal [2]. - FlareFlow has positioned itself as a key player in the international short drama landscape, with a focus on female audiences aged 20-35 and a content strategy that emphasizes emotional engagement [4][8]. - The platform has aggregated over 1,700 short dramas, achieving high user engagement with an average of 22 episodes watched per day [4][8]. - AI technology plays a crucial role in FlareFlow's operations, enhancing content creation and distribution efficiency, significantly reducing production costs and time [7]. - The short drama industry is entering a phase of refined competition, with a focus on high-quality content supply as a key to success [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the rapid rise of short dramas in overseas markets, particularly emphasizing the role of Crazy Maple Studio as a pioneer in this field, creating numerous successful works since launching its global short drama app in 2022 [1][4]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Short dramas are gaining popularity as a new form of leisure, driven by both macro and micro factors, with the strength of the country being a fundamental reason for their overseas success [5]. - The fast-paced storytelling of short dramas appeals to global audiences, contributing to their rising popularity [5]. - Crazy Maple Studio's platform, ReelShort, focuses on local production by collaborating with local teams in the U.S. to ensure cultural relevance [5]. Group 2: Production Challenges - The company faces challenges such as actor accents and content selection during overseas production, which are addressed through a dedicated and learning-oriented core team [6]. - The team has successfully launched a hit series, "The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband," through continuous learning and adaptation [6]. Group 3: Industry Evolution - The short drama industry is transitioning from a focus on audiovisual "products" to "works," with a shift towards high-quality, professional, and standardized production [8]. - The concept of "quality" in short dramas is defined by emotional resonance and narrative coherence rather than just production values [8]. Group 4: Cost and Innovation - Production costs for short dramas have increased significantly, from approximately $100,000 in June 2022 to around $250,000 to $300,000 now, reflecting market competition [9]. - The company acknowledges the challenges of content innovation, with a high failure rate for new themes, but remains committed to pursuing innovative ideas [9]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The global market for micro short dramas is projected to reach $36 billion, indicating substantial growth potential [10]. - The company emphasizes the need for collaboration across the industry to ensure sustainable development and high-quality content [10]. - There is a significant untapped audience for short dramas, with current overlap with Netflix users being less than 1%, suggesting room for growth [11]. - The future vision includes evolving the short drama app into a comprehensive entertainment platform that offers various forms of leisure content [11].