This Week in Vertical Issue 2026-w40
This Week in Vertical — 28 September – 4 October 2026
14 reports on the vertical-drama business dated 28 September – 4 October 2026, each labelled with the basis it rests on and linked to its sources.
The lead
- COL Group proposes RMB 2.83bn A-share placement, partly for AI short-drama rights
The Shenzhen-listed parent of FlareFlow filed a private-placement plan on 1 October 2026. It earmarks RMB 575m for rights to AI short dramas, mid-length and interactive dramas. The plan still requires shareholder and regulatory approval.
- Shortical targets $100m revenue in 2026; Mansa cites $100k-$250k budgets
Founders of the two microdrama companies described their economics in a TheWrap interview published 2 October 2026. All figures are company statements.
- FlexTV owner Mega Matrix reports 29% revenue decline and wider loss for first half of 2026
Mega Matrix's H1 2026 interim report, filed with the SEC on 1 October 2026, shows revenue of $10.5m and a net loss of $6.3m, with in-app purchase revenue down 32%.
More this week
Platforms
- Room418 announces horror-only vertical platform with invite-only beta
The Los Angeles-based studio and platform plans an invite-only beta in fall 2026, with adaptations of Night of the Living Dead and a Wattpad horror title among its first projects.
- Māori Television launches supernatural vertical drama "Kiri"
The 10-episode series streams on Māori+, YouTube and TikTok and is framed by the broadcaster as a vehicle for indigenous storytelling and language revitalisation, C21Media reported.
- Fremantle and Roseberry to remake Neighbours as microdramas
The Australian soap's 9,300-episode library is to be reformatted for vertical viewing on Roseberry's Epis app, using the company's own AI tool, C21 Media reported.
Americas
- JK Media to make two US-shot Spanish-language microdramas for ViX MicrO
The Los Angeles producer's first microdramas are among the first US-produced series for TelevisaUnivision's vertical platform, C21Media reported.
- NBC's "Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire" microdrama satire returns for season two
The late-night spoof series launched its second season on 27 September; C21Media cited 27 million online views for the first.
Europe
- My Drama puts microdrama season budgets at 80k to 250k depending on location
At Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid, My Drama's head of studio gave budget ranges for Eastern Europe and the United States, without naming a currency, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Asia
- TikTok and Singapore's IMDA launch microdrama training programme
Media professionals from 20 accredited Singapore companies will be trained to produce 50 to 100 microdrama episodes, in live-action and AI-animation tracks.
- China's NRTA opens 2026 International Micro-drama Competition, entries due 30 November
A notice from China's broadcasting regulator invites finished micro-dramas and original scripts from producers worldwide, across five competition units, with submissions closing on 30 November 2026.
Germany & DACH
- Baden-Württemberg film fund backs vertical drama Black Forest Royale with about €127,000
MFG Baden-Württemberg included a vertical drama from Black Forest Studios in a €3.64m funding round for 26 film and series projects, listing it among new audiovisual formats.
People
- Microdrama director Kristen Brancaccio to direct Graviteur Studios feature
Brancaccio, who has directed 21 vertical series, will helm the YA thriller "Crush Party", the first feature from Graviteur Studios, set up by Dolphin Entertainment and Kynetic Media Ventures, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
- Women in Vertical Media launches in Los Angeles
A new organisation aims to advance the visibility, influence and economic equity of women working in vertical entertainment, with executives from Crazy Maple Studio and GoodShort in its founding leadership, Variety reported.
Regulation tracker
EU Digital Fairness Act (proposed)
- 29 September 2026MLex reports that the Commission has tentatively listed the Digital Fairness Act for its 11 November 2026 meeting and that the schedule can change.