ReelShort is a Silicon Valley-based company owned by Crazy Maple Studio. It is a short-form video streaming app specializing in serialized dramas designed for mobile viewing, often referred to as vertical entertainment
ReelShort's shows emphasize rapid plot twists, heightened emotional conflicts, and minimal character development. The production values are notably low, with simple sets, costumes, and a cast of predominantly unknown actors.
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. Initially filling a void created by movie theater closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the format became popular with Chinese viewers seeking quick entertainment. ReelShort was founded in August 2022 to introduce this format to an international audience.
Production
Crazy Maple Studio, the production company behind ReelShort, it was founded with the intention of introducing short dramas to an international audience. The studio maintains an additional office in Shenzhen, China.
Business model
ReelShort uses a virtual currency system where users can purchase coins to unlock additional episodes of their shows. These coins can be acquired by watching advertisements within the app or by purchasing them directly.
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.
Programs
- Fated to My Forbidden Alpha
- Married At First Sight
- Never Divorce a Secret Billionaire Heiress
- Snatched a Billionaire to Be My Husband
- Son-in-Law's Revenge
- The CEO's Contract Wife
- The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband
- True Luna
- True Heiress vs. Fake Queen Bee
- Maid for my Nemesis
- The Virgin's Bucket List
References
- ^ Tobin, Meaghan; Li, Lyric (February 4, 2024). "Three plot twists in a minute? No problem for ReelShort's cheesy dramas". Washington Post.
- ^ Moses, Claire (January 30, 2024). "Minute-Long Soap Operas Are Here. Is America Ready?". The New York Times.
- ^ "ReelShort is the latest Chinese export to conquer America". The Economist.
- "COL's Share Price Doubles as Chinese Firm's ReelShort App Becomes Popular in US". Yicai Global. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ Welk, Brian (January 31, 2024). "ReelShort Isn't Quibi — It's Candy Crush for 60-Second Vampire Soap Operas". IndieWire.
- ^ Perez, Sarah (November 16, 2023). "A Quibi-like app called ReelShort hit record downloads and revenue this month". TechCrunch.
- "ReelShort's Exponential Growth Creates New Market for Super-Skinny Content". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- Zhou, Viola (December 7, 2023). "Forget Quibi. Chinese streamers are hooking Americans with werewolf love triangles". Rest of World.
- ^ 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.