Two-Thirds of Microdramas Released in Latest Quarter Outside China Were AI Generated, Says Report
A report by consulting firm Owl & Co. says AI-generated stories made up two-thirds of microdrama releases outside China across 20 major platforms in the third quarter of 2026. The rapid rise matters for a sector where workers have reported fewer job opportunities and concerns about AI being used on their work.
AI-made stories accounted for 3 per cent of releases in the first quarter and 28 per cent in the second. Tracked apps recorded 63 billion views and two billion viewing hours in the third quarter; TikTok’s free PineDrama app drew more than half of all views and added 15,501 titles. Paid-app viewing was led by DramaBox, with 36 per cent of views, while ReelShort data suggested live-action titles were more likely than AI titles to remain among the top 10 per cent by views 30 days after release.
- AI generated two-thirds of microdrama releases outside China in Q3.
- Tracked apps recorded 63 billion views in the quarter.
- Early data suggests live-action titles may hold viewers’ interest longer.
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