Microdrama
A microdrama is a scripted drama series told in very short episodes, often one to three minutes long, filmed in vertical format for mobile phones. Stories usually move fast and end each episode on a cliffhanger. Microdrama apps typically offer the first episodes free, then charge per episode through coins or subscriptions, or show ads.
Why it matters
Microdramas earn money one episode at a time, so every second of playback and every paywall unlock matters. Free opening episodes hook viewers, and cliffhangers push them to pay for the next one. Slow starts, broken paywalls or pirated copies leak revenue directly. Each of those leaks has a FastPix answer: Video Data measures startup per view, playback tokens keep episodes behind the paywall and visible watermarks mark copies.
How it works
- Studios film a full story, then cut it into dozens of short vertical episodes.
- Each episode is encoded for mobile and stored in the app's video library.
- The first episodes play free to draw viewers into the story.
- Later episodes unlock with coins, a subscription or by watching an ad.
- Protected playback links stop paid episodes from being shared freely.
How long is a microdrama episode?
A microdrama episode usually lasts about one to two minutes, and some run up to three. A full series often has dozens of episodes, sometimes 80 or more, adding up to about the length of a feature film. Each episode is written to end on a cliffhanger so viewers tap through to the next one.
How do microdrama apps make money?
Microdrama apps mostly make money by charging per episode, selling subscriptions or showing ads. Viewers watch the first episodes free, then buy coins to unlock the rest, subscribe for full access, or watch rewarded ads to unlock episodes. Many apps combine all three, depending on the market and the viewer.
Where it's used
Microdrama apps and short video platforms need episodes that start instantly as viewers swipe, plus paywalls that unlock single episodes and protection against piracy of paid content.
Where it usually goes wrong, and how FastPix handles it
Paid episodes are often served through plain, public links. Once a link is shared, anyone can watch without paying, and pirated copies spread quickly.
Each episode can require a token issued after purchase, so FastPix plays it only for paying viewers. For hit series, the DRM API adds protected playback and the API adds visible watermarks. Paid episodes stay behind the paywall, so revenue does not leak through shared links.
By the numbers
- Microdrama (duanju) episodes usually run one to two minutes, and a full series has 20 to 100 episodes. (Vertical drama (Wikipedia))
