At a State Council Information Office press conference on Thursday, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) addressed the rapid evolution of micro-drama, acknowledging both the unprecedented growth driven by AI and the pressing need for regulation. Wang Xiaoliang, director of the Network Audiovisual Program Management Department, framed the situation as a pivotal new challenge, stating that AI technology has opened vast potential for innovation and efficiency in the sector, yet simultaneously introduces fresh hurdles concerning content quality and rights protection that must be tackled.
The scale of the boom is significant. Wang highlighted that in the first eight months of this year alone, a staggering 430,000 micro-dramas were launched, a 13-fold increase compared to the entire previous year. The national user base for this content format has now exceeded 800 million, and the market size has already surpassed the 100 billion yuan mark in 2025. This period has also produced acclaimed works, and the NRTA's drama department head, Feng Shengyong, noted that 117 micro-dramas have aired on 40 satellite TV channels so far this year.
Drawing a parallel to a Qing Dynasty poem, Wang described the industry's flourishing state as akin to moss flowers blooming with the ambition of peonies. This sentiment is reflected in the new "Moss Flower Mark" logo, which was introduced alongside the formal implementation of the "Micro-Drama Development Management Measures" on September 1st. With its own dedicated regulations and insignia, the micro-drama sector is now entering a phase of coordinated prosperity and standardized oversight.
AI is the dominant force behind the volume of new content. Of the 430,000 micro-dramas released this year, over 90% have been generated with AI technology. Regarding the regulatory approach to this new development, Wang clarified the NRTA's stance: real-person dramas remain the core focus for high-quality storytelling and will be strongly supported through a dedicated "Real Person Drama" zone on platforms and financial incentives. For AI-produced content, the strategy balances promoting innovation with upholding standards.
Wang emphasized that while AI is a powerful tool, human creators are the true authors. To maintain integrity in this rapidly expanding field, the NRTA will enforce strict content labeling for AI projects and require platforms to adhere to clear rules on likeness and voice authorization. This includes comprehensive oversight throughout the creation process. He stressed that the faster AI-generated content grows, the more rigorous the quality control must become.
The key to ensuring quality lies in stricter governance and platform responsibility. This year, the NRTA has focused on cleaning up the ecosystem, removing 68,000 harmful, vulgar, or infringing micro-dramas from the internet and directing platforms to handle over 1,200 rule-breaking accounts. Over 90% of the content penalized was AI-generated. The administration has signaled that platforms will continue to be held accountable for their role in purifying the industry environment.
The international appeal of Chinese micro-dramas was also a topic of discussion. He Biao, the NRTA's spokesperson and deputy director, noted the format's growing popularity with global audiences. He announced plans for the next five-year plan period to systematically promote international communication and support the global expansion of both content and platforms. Wang reinforced this by stating that the administration is working to elevate the quality, popularity, and global reach of micro-dramas, aiming to intensify the sector's leading position in the overseas market by leveraging AI innovation as a new engine.
Looking ahead, Wang pointed out that the state's upcoming five-year plan has officially recognized micro-dramas as a key new cultural industry to be developed. He characterized this as both a historic opportunity and a significant responsibility for the industry. Concluding on a poetic note, he promised that the regulator would continue to foster the sector's development while ensuring proper management, allowing more "moss flowers" to blossom with the "brilliance of peonies" for the benefit of all audiences.