This Week in Vertical Issue 2026-w42
This Week in Vertical — 12–18 October 2026
10 reports on the vertical-drama business dated 12–18 October 2026, each labelled with the basis it rests on and linked to its sources.
The lead
- Omdia finds men account for 54% of UK microdrama users
Omdia's consumer research puts men at 54% of UK microdrama users, against an even split in the US and a female majority in Spain and Brazil.
- Orange brings ReelShort to Max it TV in 17 African and Middle Eastern markets
Orange Middle East and Africa signed a multi-year deal with ReelShort's parent Crazy Maple Studio. Four markets launch in 2026, with access through a dedicated mobile data bundle.
- TikTok and Made By Us Studios set creator-led microseries slate
TikTok and Made By Us Studios announced a slate of creator-led microseries for TikTok and its PineDrama app, opening with titles from Hannah Stocking and Adam Rose. No financial terms were disclosed.
More this week
Platforms
- WWE and ReelShort set 23 October premiere for first microdrama, Agent of Shadows
The first title from the partnership WWE and ReelShort announced in July pairs WWE wrestlers, including Drew McIntyre, with established microdrama actors.
Regulation news
- Bundestag committee hears experts on German streaming investment obligation
The Committee for Culture and Media held its public hearing on the MedienInvestVG on 14 October. Broadcaster and platform associations opposed the bill; producer groups supported it with reservations on rights.
Americas
- Fox Entertainment takes first look on Hartbeat vertical series
Fox Entertainment Studios will have a first look at adapting Hartbeat's vertical series for film and TV, and Fox Entertainment Global will sell them worldwide. The slate of 25 titles runs on My Drama.
- Microhouse Films unveils fall slate, with two titles premiering at the Alza festival
Taye Diggs' microseries platform named a second round of filmmakers, including Miranda Bailey and Ben Ramsey, and said two titles premiere at the Alza vertical video festival on 18 October.
Europe
- Channel 4 commissions its first microdrama, a branded series for social platforms
The Guest List, a five-part microdrama made with Sol de Janeiro, premieres on 24 October on Channel 4's Meta, TikTok and YouTube channels.
Asia
- China Literature raises Tencent cooperation caps, citing short drama
China Literature lifted its 2026-28 caps for advertising commissions from Tencent to RMB 1.1bn, 1.9bn and 2.2bn, citing the extension of the cooperation to short drama and AI-animated drama.
Germany & DACH
- ARD and ZDF youth network funk releases comedy season as a vertical microdrama
funk is releasing the second season of its comedy series FLEISCHWOLF as FLEISCHWOLF 2go, about 93 vertical clips of 30 to 90 seconds, on its own site and four social platforms from 15 October.