"Laugh at vertical dramas' alpha werewolf pregnant billionaire storytelling all you want, but don't let the giggling distract you. Vertical dramas are massive. For young filmmakers they offer a low-barrier entry point. For entrepreneurial producers, they're a chance to become mini-mini moguls. In 2024 alone, over 36,000 new series launched. Already a $7 billion business in China, the market is projected to top $10 billion globally (outside China) by 2027."
"Last month, Cineverse - the folks who brought you "Terrifier" - and Lloyd Braun's Banyan Ventures announced MicroCo, a new microseries studio and platform. Co-founder: Former Showtime president Jana Winograde Chief Content Officer: Susan Rovner, CEO and former NBCUniversal TV & Streaming chair Cineverse: A business built on dozens of FAST channels (Screambox, BloodyDisgusting.com, AsianCrush, The Bob Ross Channel). The ambition isn't to be another ReelShort or DramaBox. It wants to be the Amazon Prime of vertical drama, producing originals and curating the best from thousands"
"Why It Matters I spoke with Cineverse president and Chief Strategy Officer Erick Opeka about MicroCo's ambitions and why he sees vertical dramas as the next inflection point. China can't create a $7 billion business without America taking notice, but we might be slower to respond if we weren't living through a moment otherwise defined by layoffs, consolidation, and other forms of retreat (Neuehouse, RIP). Growth feels good. Like it or not, this is a ground floor - but not for long."
Vertical dramas have become a massive global genre, with over 36,000 new series launched in 2024 and a market worth $7 billion in China, projected to exceed $10 billion globally (outside China) by 2027. Microseries studios and platforms are emerging to aggregate and produce short-form originals. Cineverse and Banyan Ventures launched MicroCo with industry veterans Jana Winograde and Susan Rovner in leadership roles, aiming to curate thousands of titles and produce originals across FAST channels owned by Cineverse. The format offers low barriers for young filmmakers and entrepreneurial producers, presenting an inflection point amid broader industry consolidation and layoffs.
Read at IndieWire
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