Jon Stojan
Image credit: Freepik
After a long day, you, like many of us, find yourself collapsing onto the couch, remote in hand, craving an escape. Cue the sound: Ta-dum.
But as you flip through the streaming options, you’re greeted with a slew of bloodthirsty documentaries or yet another predictable rom-com. Digital fatigue sets in, and your symptoms point to one thing: Netflix déjà vu.
Enter vertical short series, mass-produced bite-sized stories, just 1-2 minutes long and packed with romance and fantasy. They’re the perfect antidote to the heavy, drawn-out content offered by streaming platforms. In 2024, vertical short series are taking the entertainment world by storm. And it’s just what the doctor ordered.
The Rise of Vertical Short Series
In 2018, Jeffrey Katzenberg founded NewTV, later renamed Quibi. In 2020, the app tried—and failed—to introduce short-form content to mainstream audiences.
So, what went wrong?
First, it was poor timing: the pandemic hit the same year, leaving consumers hungry for long-form content.
Additionally, high production costs meant relatively high subscription costs for limited content, ultimately leading to its downfall. The market just wasn’t ready for vertical videos.
In just four short years, the tides have turned, and vertical series are now a global phenomenon.
How?
For one, production costs have plunged. Instead of spending millions of dollars to produce a series like Quibi did back in the day, new vertical series work on a much leaner budget—often to the tune of less than $300,000 per series.
Another driving factor is the content itself.
Romantasy—a captivating hybrid of romance and fantasy—is proving to be a fan favorite. In fact, fantasy books are flying off the shelves with an increase in sales by 85%, fueled by the growing interest in romantasy.
So what is it about romantasy that has readers hot under the collar? Take A Court of Thorns and Roses written by Sarah J. Maas, for example. These books are impossible to put down. The characters in ACOTAR are all ridiculously attractive, morally gray, and all pining for love just out of reach—the ultimate recipe for a great love story.
Is it a wonder, then, that this popular trend is now trickling over into visual storytelling?
We look back with nostalgia at the rom-com boom of the early 2000s that had us spoilt for choice. From Bridget Jones’s Diary to Love Actually, The Notebook, and The Devil Wears Prada. Coming up with a modern equivalent of these cult classics is like searching for a lighthearted love triangle in a Stephen King horror trilogy.
Today’s romance genre is officially stuck in a rut. A lack of spark has left audiences hungry for even an inkling of palpable on-screen chemistry.
Vertical short series comes in like a breath of fresh air, much needed in this stale industry that is failing to ignite people’s imaginations. The relatable, quick storytelling offers something new and exciting for viewers hungry for a fresh twist on the genre.
Just imagine devouring the equivalent of a Hallmark movie on your commute to work. Two, even.
A Hot New Market is Emerging
The vertical series market is still very much in its early stages, which means there isn’t a single dominant platform—yet. Short series apps are pulling out all the stops, vying for the top spot. Their swift storylines have millions of views on streaming platforms.
Storyby is taking an innovative approach with its app, DramaShorts. It transforms bestseller novels into vertical short series, allowing authors to see their stories come to life.
One of their released films, Alpha Rick, sees Olivia Watson, a true outcast and despised member of her pack who is rejected by her first mate. Her second chance mate is none other than Alpha Rick, the feared leader of the Dark Moon Pack. Despite his brutal reputation, Olivia must resolve whether she can be the one to tame the beast within him.
Is there room for a new generation of Jackie Collins-esque romances in the vertical series format?
The audience is already there. Recent surveys show that in 2023, adults in the US spent an average of 52 minutes per day on TikTok. These numbers are expected to grow to 58 minutes a day by the end of 2024. Comparatively, people are tuning in to Netflix for around 62 minutes a day.
However, with platforms like TikTok facing a potential ban in the U.S., there is great potential for vertical series platforms to capitalize on and fill the gap. Although YouTube and Instagram are giants in their own right, they do not offer narrative-driven, structured content that’s quickly becoming a staple of modern entertainment.
The proof is in the numbers: short-form content is here to stay. But this begs the question: who will grab the potentially profitable bull by the horns first?