China's microdrama rules become binding law from 1 September
NRTA Order No. 16 moves the sector to three-tier licensing, defines the format as episodes under 20 minutes, and mandates AI labelling, non-addictive recommenders and clear paid-content disclosure.
What this basis means: Regulatory filing, government body, court or industry association.
《微短剧发展管理办法》, approved at the NRTA's executive meeting on 27 July 2026 and published on 31 July, takes effect on 1 September 2026. It runs to 54 articles and moves China from notice-based supervision to licensing in three tiers. Large-budget or special-subject titles need a distribution licence, ordinary titles a provincial approval, and low-budget titles a platform-issued programme number synced to the regulator. Without a licence, approval or number, a title may not be broadcast or entered for awards.
Article 2 defines the format as episodes of under 20 minutes, as the June draft did.
Three clauses set operating requirements. Article 34 requires an AI label in a prominent position in every episode. Article 37 bans recommendation models that induce addiction or excessive consumption, naming spending and not only time. Article 40 requires clear disclosure of charging information for paid content.
Article 8 states support for microdrama export, and Article 52 requires titles shot in China for overseas broadcast to go through Chinese filing and licensing.
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)
Sources
- 《微短剧发展管理办法》 (Order No. 16) NRTA
Correction
: The report said Order No. 16 widened the definition of microdrama to episodes of under 20 minutes. The June 2026 draft already used the same definition.