Could vertical drama save the UK TV industry's crisis?

Could vertical drama save the UK TV industry's crisis?

Vertical dramas are currently experiencing a boom in the entertainment industry and represent a new phenomenon that is particularly gaining momentum in the UK. These short melodramas, typically divided into one-minute episodes, attract millions of viewers who consume them via their smartphones. Titles like “A Flash Marriage with the Billionaire” and “My Firefighter ex-Husband Burns in Regret” are just a few examples that captivate viewers. Loud The Guardian The popularity of British actors and the attractiveness of British filming locations are crucial to this trend.

Production costs are lower in the UK than in the US, allowing these mostly low-budget productions to be profitable. Dan Löwenstein, a British director, has produced an impressive 16 vertical dramas in the last twelve months, including an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. He highlights that this genre offers new income opportunities for actors and crew and has a higher production speed. For example, the drama “Obsessed with My Scheming CEO” shoots up to 77 pages in just seven days.

Growth and challenges in the market

The demand for vertical content is growing rapidly, especially in the US. While global vertical drama app downloads increased by 460% last year, this year the number of monthly users reached 600 million, an increase of 131% compared to last year. The forecasts show that the short drama market could grow from $5 billion in 2023 to up to $36 billion by 2027, as Media Cat reported.

The genre has already generated significant revenue in the US; over $100 million per month is generated by vertical dramas. Studios and talent agencies are recognizing the value of this format and are starting to develop their own productions. However, there are also challenges: the production process can be unsafe, with reports of long working hours and safety concerns, and the quality of productions is often criticized.

The Future of Vertical Dramas

Despite concerns about content quality, many in the industry see vertical dramas as a valuable addition to film and television production. Löwenstein emphasizes that viewers expect constant availability of content and vertical dramas can meet this demand. At the same time, there is also a growing number of critics who are registering a certain “taboo” towards this genre in the British film community.

Vertical dramas, due to their cost-effective production and ability to appeal to a younger audience, have created a new class of actors specializing in this format. Wenting Yuan, a screenwriter at FlexTV, points out that the themes in vertical dramas significantly influence the choice of filming location. However, the competition for creative talent and the challenge of maintaining quality standards in this fast-moving environment will be crucial in the future.

Overall, the growth of vertical dramas is undeniable. With increasing industry acceptance and a clear market need, they are poised to challenge traditional television production and open up new avenues for storytelling.