China's NRTA drafts administrative measures for microdrama
The 24 June draft defines episodes of under 20 minutes, requires pre-release approval and script and title control, and bars wealth-flaunting content. Comments close 23 July.
What this basis means: Regulatory filing, government body, court or industry association.
China's National Radio and Television Administration published a draft of Administrative Measures for microdrama on 24 June 2026, the first systematic framework for the format.
The draft defines microdrama by an episode length of under 20 minutes, introduces pre-release approval, sets controls on scripts and titles, and bars content that flaunts wealth. The comment period runs to 23 July 2026.
A separate classification standard for AI-generated microdrama was reported to take effect on 1 July 2026; that report is unconfirmed.
The measures would apply to every China-based exporter of the format, among them DramaBox, ShortMax and Hongguo (红果). Reported via Global Times and SCMP.
Companies DramaBox, ShortMax, Hongguo (红果)
Tracked instrument China, NRTA Order No. 16 — Measures for the Administration of Micro Short Drama Development (微短剧发展管理办法), China, NRTA filing review tiers and the AI micro short drama classification notice
Sources
- NRTA draft administrative measures for microdrama Global Times
- NRTA draft administrative measures for microdrama South China Morning Post