ReelShort

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ReelShort is an American-based company owned by Crazy Maple Studio, which is backed and partially owned by Beijing-based digital publisher COL Group. [1] It is a short-form video streaming app specializing in duanjus designed for mobile viewing, often referred to as vertical entertainment. [2]

Contents

ReelShort's duanjus (short drama) emphasize rapid plot twists, heightened emotional conflicts, and minimal character development. [3] [2] The production values are notably low, with simple sets, costumes, and a cast of predominantly unknown actors. [2]

Background

Despite the failure of similar short-format television platforms in the United States, such as the closure of Quibi in 2020, it has become a popular format in China. [2] Initially filling a void created by movie theater closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, duanju became popular with Chinese viewers seeking quick entertainment. [4] [2] ReelShort was founded in August 2022 to introduce duanju to an international audience. [2] [5] [6]

In January 2024, French outlets including France Inter , France Info , Midi Libre and Courrier International introduced ReelShort as the “TikTok of series,” marking its first broad media coverage in France [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Production

Crazy Maple Studio, the production company behind ReelShort, it was founded with the intention of introducing duanjus to an international audience. [2] The studio maintains an additional office in Shenzhen, China. [2]

Business model

ReelShort uses a virtual currency system where users can purchase coins to unlock additional episodes of their shows. [12] These coins can be acquired by watching advertisements within the app or by purchasing them directly. [12] [6]

Reelshort has seen a 992% increase in downloads between 2023 and 2024, from 3.4 million in Q1 2023 to 37 million in early 2024. [13]

In 2025, the app reportedly reached over 370 million downloads and generated $700 million in revenue. [14]

Programs

See also

References

  1. ↑ Moses, Claire (2024-01-30). "Minute-Long Soap Operas Are Here. Is America Ready?". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-05-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Tobin, Meaghan; Li, Lyric (February 4, 2024). "Three plot twists in a minute? No problem for ReelShort's cheesy dramas". Washington Post .
  3. 1 2 Moses, Claire (January 30, 2024). "Minute-Long Soap Operas Are Here. Is America Ready?". The New York Times .
  4. 1 2 3 "ReelShort is the latest Chinese export to conquer America". The Economist.
  5. ↑ "COL's Share Price Doubles as Chinese Firm's ReelShort App Becomes Popular in US". Yicai Global. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. 1 2 3 Welk, Brian (January 31, 2024). "ReelShort Isn't Quibi — It's Candy Crush for 60-Second Vampire Soap Operas". IndieWire .
  7. ↑ "When France discovers ReelShort". Duanju. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  8. ↑ "Reelshort : le TikTok des séries". France Inter (in French). 2024-01-01. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  9. ↑ "ReelShort : quelle est cette nouvelle application américaine dédiée aux séries qui cartonne ?". Franceinfo (in French). 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  10. ↑ ""Le TikTok des séries" : ce qu'il faut savoir de ReelShort, la nouvelle application des séries au format court qui cartonne". midilibre.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  11. ↑ "Séries. ReelShort, l'application venue de Chine qui séduit les Américaines au foyer". Courrier international (in French). 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  12. 1 2 Perez, Sarah (November 16, 2023). "A Quibi-like app called ReelShort hit record downloads and revenue this month". TechCrunch .
  13. ↑ "ReelShort's Exponential Growth Creates New Market for Super-Skinny Content". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  14. ↑ "ReelShort: Duanju's American-style platform". Duanju.fr. August 2, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  15. ↑ "Young actor Luke Dodge rises to micro-drama stardom". The Frederick News-Post. August 27, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
  16. ↑ Zhou, Viola (December 7, 2023). "Forget Quibi. Chinese streamers are hooking Americans with werewolf love triangles". Rest of World.
  17. 1 2 3 Sarmiento, Kate (26 December 2024). "The Kaplan Heiress, Where To Watch It, And 6 More Short Series To Binge". COSMO.PH. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  18. ↑ "انتهاء تصوير". www.akhbar-sharq.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-01-31.
  19. ↑ Daddy December (Drama), Jessica Jacoby, Aaron Oberst, Estefany Fuentes, ReelShort, 2024-12-01, retrieved 2025-04-02{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. ↑ "'Breaking The Ice' Star Seth Edeen Says ReelShort Is Perfect Formula". TMZ. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  21. ↑ The Senator's Son (Drama), Evan Adams, Kimberly McClain, Jake Elliot, ReelShort, 2025-03-22, retrieved 2025-04-02{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. ↑ Saved by the Sexy Cowboy (Drama), Rebecca Stoughton, Carter Sirianni, James Drake Coleman, ReelShort, 2025-03-13, retrieved 2025-04-02{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. ↑ Alexa Reddy [@alexareddy]; (November 14, 2024). "got myself into a little situation(ship) this summer!☀️🤪 go watch all the drama unfold at the summer house and make choices along the way!🎬 "Summer Situationship" is out now on the ReelShort app!!🤩🫶🏼 @reelshortapp @crazymaplestudios • • so so so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the most amazing cast and crew!! thank you to the incredible writer @mercedes.bends for making us do some insane, but super fun things, and to @taylormegon, @k82006, @casejackalope, and the whole Snow Story crew for being the most hardworking team. thank you to @kristensreality for being the best director we could've asked for, and for helping bring the drama to life. andddd of course to all my amazing costars for making me laugh and bringing the coolest energy everyday on set! @evanadams_official @jesssjacoby @_carsn_ @heck_yes_honey we will forever be the best group!🫶🏼🫶🏼" . Retrieved April 14, 2025– via Instagram.
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