BeijingFewer than 1.3% of AI micro-dramas break even, DataEye says.

A 120-minute drama now costs 5,000 yuan, down from 300,000, yet overseas in-app revenue rose only about 10%.

Ad creatives rose 324% in the first half, DataEye says, and buying users takes about half of overseas micro-drama costs.

Since September, Hongguo’s investment scheme gives producers 25% of revenue and itself 60%.

How each outlet framed it
TMTPost
shows the spending shift: AI cut production costs, but in-app payments rose only ~10% while ad creative grew 324%, so distribution now decides revenue

Sources: TMTPost