AI short dramas top 600M users as long-video platforms move in
A TiMedia-published industry analysis says 128,000 micro-dramas launched in China in Q1 2026, of which 122,000 were AI-made — over 95% — with more than 1,300 new titles a day, while AI short-drama users passed 600 million in the first half and the market exceeded 22 billion yuan, with 40 billion forecast for the year. It cites QuestMobile data showing Hongguo reached 168 million daily active users in July 2026, up 107% year on year and more than iQIYI, Tencent Video, Youku and Mango TV combined, and a Nomura report estimating Seedance powers 80–90% of AI short-drama production, with Seedance 2.0 generating 1 billion yuan in monthly revenue in 2026. Long-video platforms have responded — iQIYI's Nadou Pro, Tencent Video's WorkRally, Mango TV's AIGC drama Hou Xiyouji on Hunan TV prime time and Youku's anime-drama channel — with all four tilting toward “live-action plus AI” formats in the second half of the year.
It shows AI-generated video shifting from experiment to mass-market staple, pushing China's long-video platforms to rework content and revenue-share strategies.