By the end of 2024, Sereal+ had climbed into the top 6 short drama apps in global downloads, with 28.86% growth quarter-over-quarter, according to Insightrackr. Short-form video is changing how people watch entertainment — and short dramas are leading the charge. Since 2023, viewing hours for short drama apps have jumped 16 times, signaling a clear shift in consumer preferences toward fast, emotionally driven stories.
A strong example of this trend is Once Upon a Divorce, The Double Life of Lady Diana, a U.S. short drama that launched in 2024. With its intense plot and quick pacing, the show quickly caught fire with global viewers. Several paid episodes went viral on social media, where people shared clips, reacted to plot twists, and debated characters. The series was praised for its suspense and emotional pull, boosting it reach audiences far beyond its original market.
The series comes from Sereal+, a short drama platform launched in December 2023. Within months after launch, the app broke into the top 30 on the U.S. iOS entertainment chart. Backed by COL Group — a company known for its digital cultural resources and IP development — Sereal+ is quickly building a name for itself in global streaming.
The market numbers are just as striking. As of December 2024, China had 662 million short drama users. Usage penetration hit 59.7%, up 14.8% from the first half of the year. In just six months, the average daily time spent on short drama apps rose from 90 to 101 minutes — on par with time spent on instant messaging platforms. These findings, shared at the China Internet Audio & Video Convention 2025, show how quickly short dramas are reshaping screen time priorities.
Globally, the short drama market is now valued at around $36 billion.
A major reason behind this growth is how different short dramas are from traditional TV & film shows. A standard TV drama might run 45 to 60 minutes per episode and stretch over weeks or months. Short dramas, on the other hand, deliver full emotional arcs in just 1 to 5 minutes. They cut out filler, jump straight into the action, and rely on cliffhangers to keep viewers hooked.
The format is built for mobile-first, binge-friendly behavior. In one scrolling session, a viewer might watch an entire season. This makes it easier for platforms to test content, adjust quickly based on viewer data, and turn winning shows into revenue — fast.
Short dramas also offer a leaner business model. With lower production costs, faster turnaround times, and in-app monetization (like pay-per-episode or subscriptions), they can reach profitability far quicker than traditional shows. It’s a model that fits perfectly with today’s fast-paced digital economy.
Even with their simple format, the best short dramas still rely on strong writing, engaging characters, and smart genre choices — not just viral reach. Ultimately, platforms must ensure that viewers feel a sense of connection and relatability through the episodes they consume.
Sereal+ stands out by targeting specific audience groups with precision. Romance and vampire-themed shows remain fan favorites among young and middle-aged women. More recently, the platform has leaned into the “cute kid” genre — heartfelt stories where clever, lovable children play key roles in romantic or family-driven plots. One of its breakout hits, Billionaire, The Hunt Is On, is riding this wave of popularity worldwide.
These dramas mix romance, family dynamics, and friendship, offering an emotional experience in a tight package. While love stories carry the drama, it’s often the parent-child relationships that give these series lasting appeal.
Behind it all is COL Group, a company with over 20 years of experience in digital content — from literature to animation to merchandise. It also developed a large language model called XiaoYao, which now helps Sereal+ create and translate scripts in both English and Chinese, allowing it to scale globally at speed.
With short-form content on the rise, platforms like Sereal+ are well positioned to lead the next wave of global entertainment. Fast to make, easy to watch, and built for global audiences, short dramas are no longer just a trend — they’re becoming a core part of the streaming business.
