techcrunch.com
This so-called “microdrama” market is exploding, with apps like ReelShort generating over a billion dollars annually. These vertical, minute-long videos feature sensational plots and use aggressive “dark pattern” monetization—paying to unlock climaxes or ad-free viewing—that mirrors addictive mobile games.
Unlike Quibi’s failure, these shows target the female gaze with “romantasy” tropes. To maximize profits, companies are rapidly adopting AI to churn out formulaic scripts, creating a high-revenue industry built on saturated content and short attention spans.
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