Vertical Observer

The vertical-drama business, quantified

UPDATED 13 November 2026 260 REPORTS · 176 COMPANIES

App · Other origin

Canela Media

Key facts

Operator / parent
Independent
Headquarters
New York; production hub in Mexico
Launched
Company founded 2019. Microdrama app Zully announced 11 May 2026; vertical microseries slate for Canela.TV announced November 2026.
Origin
United States

Canela Media is a New York-based digital media company focused on US Hispanic and bilingual audiences, founded in 2019 by Isabel Rafferty-Zavala, who runs it as CEO. At its upfront presentation on 11 May 2026 it announced Zully, a free, ad-supported app for scripted microdramas in Spanish and English, with production based in Mexico, heavy use of AI-generated footage and a stated aim of up to 30 series a month; Deadline described the app as launched, while later trade headlines described it as yet to launch. In November 2026 Canela announced a slate of vertical microseries for its ad-supported streaming service Canela.TV, made by Canela Studios, mixing live-action and AI-powered production, including a vertical adaptation of the Turkish drama Kuma and classic Mexican films recut into short episodes. In May 2026 the company claimed a monthly audience of 60 million across streaming, FAST channels, social media and YouTube.

Who owns Canela Media?

Operator or parent of Canela Media: Independent. Headquarters: New York; production hub in Mexico; origin: United States; launched: Company founded 2019.

Profile

Markets
United States (US Hispanic and bilingual audiences)
Content
Scripted vertical microseries, live-action and AI-generated; adaptations and classic films recut into short episodes.
Genres
Fantasy, science fiction, supernatural romance, drama
Monetisation
Free, ad-supported. A subscription tier for Zully was described as a possibility.

People

  • Isabel Rafferty-Zavala, co-founder and CEO.

Sources