As streaming dominates entertainment, new formats like microseries and video podcasts are gaining traction, driven by younger viewers' preferences for short-form content on mobile devices. Deloitte predicts microseries revenue will double to $7.8 billion in 2026, while platforms like Netflix plan to expand into video podcasts next year. These shifts reflect evolving habits, with 91% of US households holding streaming subscriptions.
The entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly, with viewers increasingly favoring bite-sized content over traditional long-form shows. According to Parks Associates, traditional TV households in the US have dropped to 41%, while 91% subscribe to streaming services, spending an average of $101 monthly. This surge in streaming, particularly on phones via platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok, is fueling demand for abbreviated entertainment among Gen Z and millennials.
Microseries, short episodes lasting one to two minutes, originated in China and are now expanding in the UK and US. Production outfits like Onset Octopus in the UK specialize in the format, and US apps such as ReelShort, DramaBox, and GoodShort offer soap opera-style dramas, often in 60- or 90-second segments. Some content is free, but full access requires subscriptions. Deloitte's 2026 Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions report, released in November, forecasts in-app revenue for microseries reaching $7.8 billion in 2026, up from $3.8 billion projected for 2025.
Media executives see potential in leveraging existing intellectual property. Wenny Katzenstein, a managing director at Deloitte, explained that companies could use microcontent to "drive back to IP that already exists," possibly incorporating generative AI. Disney's television studios president, Eric Schrier, told Variety of plans to introduce microstorytelling through vertical video on Disney Plus, though timelines remain unclear. Activate Consulting found that 52% of US adults aged 18-34 have used at least one microdrama app.
Parallel to this, video podcasts—or vodcasts—are booming. Deloitte's fall 2025 survey showed 27% of US consumers watching them weekly, with 70% of the top 50 audio podcasts offering video versions, per Activate. These formats enhance authenticity through visuals and host-guest interactions, appealing to millennials and Gen Z. Netflix will launch vodcasts in 2026 via partnerships with iHeartMedia, Barstool Sports, and Spotify, featuring shows like The Breakfast Club, The Ringer NFL Show, and Conspiracy Theories. Prime Video already streams New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.
Katzenstein highlighted generational differences: younger audiences expect content "when I want it, how I want it," pushing media firms to adapt. Vancouver has emerged as a microdrama production hub, with Hollywood showing interest. While traditional procedurals persist, these innovations signal a broader integration of short-form video into streaming ecosystems.
