This Week in Vertical Issue 2026-w37
This Week in Vertical — 7–13 September 2026
14 reports on the vertical-drama business dated 7–13 September 2026, each labelled with the basis it rests on and linked to its sources.
The lead
- FlexTV owner Mega Matrix sets a 1-for-20 share consolidation from 15 September
Mega Matrix, which operates the short-drama platform FlexTV, fixed the ratio of its share consolidation at one new share for every 20, in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 10 September 2026.
- aTwist was listed on app stores seven weeks before its announced launch
Apple's per-country records date the aTwist listing to 8 July in India and 17 July in the United States, ahead of the 3 September launch.
- Pocket FM's parent says its all-AI microdrama app Pocket Saga runs at about $15m a year
Pocket Entertainment said its three-month-old, US-only microdrama app uses entirely AI-produced content. The parent put its own annualised run rate at $500m and is in talks with investors.
More this week
Platforms
- COL Group's FlareFlow launches on Whale TV sets in South America
TV operating-system maker Whale TV said FlareFlow, COL Group's international microdrama platform, is now available on Whale TV-enabled televisions in South America.
- Telecoms carrier iQSTEL to bill Idilio TV subscriptions to the mobile bill
A US-listed wholesale carrier will distribute the Colombian microdrama service across Latin America and charge subscriptions to users' phone accounts rather than to an app store.
- LoveHit launches vertical studio built on public-domain literary adaptations
The Los Angeles studio shoots each production twice, as roughly 50 vertical episodes and a 90-minute horizontal feature. Deadline reported the launch on 7 September 2026. No funding figure was disclosed.
Regulation news
- German streaming levy bill sets 8% charge and an 80% German-language sub-quota
The Bundestag's news service set out the detail of the government's MedienInvestVG bill on 9 September 2026. Berlin says European Commission comments in the notification procedure do not endanger the draft.
- China opens objection period on audience-measurement data standard
The NRTA published the approval draft of a technical requirement for data collection in comprehensive audience-evaluation systems, covering online audiovisual services, for public objection until 17 September 2026.
Americas
- Upscale launches as a full-service microdrama producer built on book rights
Deadline reported on 9 September 2026 that Upscale Media Films is formally launching as a production company for the microdrama market, pairing controlled book properties with a standing in-house crew.
Europe
- Atresmedia adds two vertical series for its Flooxer youth brand
Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia presented La deuda, produced by Stellarmedia, and Baddie, produced by YouPlanet, at FesTVal Vitoria. Baddie premieres on 24 September 2026.
Asia
- Kuku said to be building a 1,000-person AI content unit ahead of an Indian IPO
Entrackr reports the audio and microdrama group has hired about 200 of a planned 1,000-strong AI production team in Mumbai, and has filed confidentially for a listing of up to Rs 3,500 crore.
Germany & DACH
- RTLZWEI has produced a vertical spin-off of Berlin - Tag & Nacht
RTLZWEI said it has produced Berlin - Tag & Nacht: Next Generation, a vertical drama in 9:16 format. No platform, episode count or launch date was given, and the broadcaster called monetisation an open question.
- German producer Victus Films shoots 60-episode vertical drama for EiLiN
Trade outlet DWDL reported on 9 September 2026 that Munich-based Victus Films has shot Yes!, a 60-episode vertical series, for the German app EiLiN. No broadcaster is involved.
- German agency says it is bringing Procter & Gamble's microdrama format to Germany
Brandplace chief executive Sandra Freisinger-Heinl told Meedia that P&G already produces microdramas in the United States, and put a branded series at a low six-figure budget.