The "Regulations on the Development and Management of Micro Short Plays" have been announced and will take effect on September 1.

On July 31, the National Radio and Television Administration officially announced Order No. 16, "Management Measures for the Development of Micro Short Dramas." These Measures were reviewed and approved at the meeting of the State Administration of Radio and Television on July 27, 2026, and will come into effect on September 1, 2026. The new regulations clearly define micro short dramas as series with an individual episode duration of less than twenty minutes, with coherent and complete storylines and distinct character portrayals. These dramas cover all platforms including mobile phones, televisions, in-car screens, and smart wearable devices, and all broadcasting channels such as mini-programs, short video platforms, IPTV, and cable television are subject to unified management. In terms of broadcasting requirements, the new regulations classify micro short dramas into three categoriesCategory One, Category Two, and Category Three based on investment levels and themes. Each category will be subject to a filing and public notification system as well as an issuance permit system. The text is as follows: National Radio and Television Administration Order No. 16: "Management Measures for the Development of Micro Short Dramas" The "Management Measures for the Development of Micro Short Dramas" have been reviewed and approved by the State Administration of Radio and Television's meeting on July 27, 2026, and are now published, taking effect from September 1, 2026. Management Measures for the Development of Micro Short Dramas Chapter One General Provisions Article 1 In order to further prosper micro short dramas, enhance the new mass art under the conditions of the internet, and promote the healthy development of micro short dramas, these Measures are formulated based on relevant national regulations. Article 2 The term "micro short drama" as mentioned in these Measures refers to series with a single episode duration of less than twenty minutes, clear themes and storylines, and distinct character portrayals. Micro short dramas broadcast to the public within the territory of the People's Republic of China through internet websites, internet applications, distribution platforms, radio and television channels, interactive television (IPTV), cable television, etc., received on terminals such as televisions, mobile phones, tablets, computers, public electronic screens, smart (wearable) devices, and in-car equipment, are applicable under these Measures. Article 3 The creation and broadcasting of micro short dramas must comply with the Constitution, laws, and administrative regulations. They must adhere to the correct political direction, public opinion guidance, and value orientation. They should serve the people and socialism, prioritize social benefits, and unify social and economic benefits. Original work must be respected, copyright protected, fair competition maintained, and development standardized. Article 4 The State Council's radio and television authority is responsible for the management of micro short dramas nationwide, formulating overall development plans and management policies for the micro short drama industry, coordinating content construction, industry management, industrial development, and safety supervision nationwide, carrying out planning and broadcasting regulation of micro short dramas, guiding the formation of a virtuous cycle of integrity, innovation, health, order, and fair competition, and promoting the regulated and prosperous development of the micro short drama industry. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities are responsible for the management of micro short dramas within their administrative regions, formulating development plans, and promoting industrial development in conjunction with local practical work, guiding relevant county-level and above local radio and television authorities to collaborate on the industrial development and supervision of micro short dramas within their jurisdictions. Article 5 Micro short dramas are classified into three categoriesCategory One, Category Two, and Category Three based on investment levels and themes, with a filing and public notification system implemented for each category. Category One micro short dramas refer to those with significant investment or those that primarily involve special themes such as politics, military, foreign affairs, national security, united front, ethnic issues, religion, justice, public security, etc. Category Two micro short dramas refer to those with relatively modest investment that are of general themes. Category Three micro short dramas refer to those with low investment and general themes. The classification standards are formulated by the State Council's radio and television authority and will be adjusted as necessary in accordance with actual industry development. Article 6 Innovation in artistic expression, dissemination methods, application of new technologies, and business models for micro short dramas is encouraged. Participation in micro short drama creation by the broad masses is encouraged and supported to inspire innovation and creative vigor as a new form of public art under internet conditions. Support and encourage the production and broadcasting of outstanding micro short dramas. Radio and television authorities at the county level and above shall provide necessary conveniences and assistance for micro short drama creators to engage with grassroots communities and experience life. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality authorities will provide necessary support for the online broadcasting of micro short dramas that are included in key support categories. Article 7 Encourage micro short dramas to integrate with various fields and industries in economic and social development, forming new application scenarios, business models, and economic forms, thereby promoting micro short dramas to empower numerous sectors. Article 8 Support the creation, production, and dissemination of outward-focused micro short dramas, facilitating foreign creators' participation in micro short drama creation, and supporting the simultaneous broadcasting of outstanding micro short dramas domestically and abroad. Encourage and support the micro short drama sector to engage in equal and mutually beneficial international exchanges and cooperation, promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign civilizations. Article 9 The radio and television authority shall recognize and reward outstanding micro short dramas as well as organizations, institutions, and individuals that have made prominent contributions to the development of micro short dramas in accordance with national award regulations, guiding the formation of a social environment that respects creation and creativity, and fostering an atmosphere within society that cares for and supports the development of micro short dramas. Article 10 Intellectual property related to micro short dramas is protected by law, and no organization or individual may infringe upon it. Organizations and individuals engaged in micro short drama activities should enhance their awareness of intellectual property, improve their capability for creation, utilization, protection, management, and service of intellectual property. Encourage innovation in copyright service models and work with relevant departments to improve the copyright protection system related to micro short dramas. Article 11 Social organizations such as the Online Audio-Visual Program Service Association shall carry out industry self-regulation for micro short dramas in accordance with their charters and conduct their work under the guidance of the radio and television authority. Chapter Two Filing and Public Notification Article 12 Category One micro short dramas are required to follow a filing and public notification system for filming and production. Category Two micro short dramas may be subject to the same filing and public notification procedures as Category One micro short dramas. Before filming or producing Category One micro short dramas, production organizations must apply for filing and public notification with the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authority. Article 13 The State Council's radio and television authority is responsible for the filing and public notification for the filming and production of Category One and Category Two micro short dramas by institutions directly reporting to it (hereinafter referred to as "direct reporting institutions") as well as for the public notification of national Category One micro short dramas. The State Council's radio and television authority may delegate the filing of Category One and Category Two micro short dramas produced by direct reporting institutions to the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authorities. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities are responsible for reviewing the filming and production applications of production organizations within their administrative regions or those delegated by the State Council's radio and television authority for Category One and Category Two micro short dramas. Category One micro short dramas shall be reported for public notification after review, while Category Two micro short dramas may formulate regional implementation details for the filing and public notification in accordance with this system, which should follow the production laws of micro short dramas. Article 14 Institutions applying for the filing and public notification of Category One micro short dramas must be production organizations holding a "Radio and Television Program Production and Business License" or legally established broadcasting institutions. Application materials must include the "Micro Short Drama Filing and Public Notification Application Form" and a synopsis. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities will review the application materials. For special-themed Category One micro short dramas, should it be deemed necessary, they must consult with relevant authorities or parties. The State Council's radio and television authority will review the application materials submitted by provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authorities or by direct reporting institutions, and will publish the results online. The public notice will include the drama's title, production organization, and other details. Article 15 Applications for public notification of micro short dramas containing content that violates these Measures shall not be published. Article 16 Production organizations must film and produce Category One micro short dramas in accordance with the content filed. Production organizations changing the main character positioning or overall storyline of a previously publicized Category One micro short drama must reapply for filing in accordance with these Measures; if they change the drama title or production organization, they must report the changes to the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authority for the relevant change procedures. Chapter Three Review and Licensing Article 17 Completed Category One and Category Two micro short dramas must apply for content review and issuing permission with the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authority before broadcasting. For those passing review, Category One micro short dramas will be issued a "Micro Short Drama Issuance License" by the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality authorities. For those passing review, Category Two micro short dramas will receive approval documents. Category Three micro dramas will have their content management responsibilities fulfilled by qualified broadcasting units, who will conduct pre-broadcast reviews and label the program number. The "Micro Short Drama Issuance License" shall be uniformly printed by the State Council's radio and television authority. Rules for numbering approval documents for Category Two micro dramas will be uniformly established by the State Council's radio and television authority. Micro short dramas that have not obtained a "Micro Short Drama Issuance License," approval documents, or undergo pre-broadcast review and label the program number by broadcasting units in accordance with these Measures shall not be broadcasted or participate in awards. Article 18 The State Council's radio and television authority is responsible for reviewing filming and production of Category One and Category Two micro short dramas by direct reporting institutions. The State Council's radio and television authority may delegate the review of filming and production of Category One and Category Two micro short dramas by direct reporting institutions to the provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities are responsible for reviewing the filming and production of Category One and Category Two micro short dramas by production organizations in their administrative regions or those delegated by the State Council's radio and television authority. Article 19 When submitting Category One micro short dramas for review, the following materials must be submitted to the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality radio and television authorities: (1) "Category One Micro Short Drama Submission Form"; (2) A "Radio and Television Program Production and Business License" or "Broadcasting Institution License"; (3) Sample clips meeting review requirements for image, sound, subtitles, time code, etc.; (4) A subtitle list for the opening, closing, and music; (5) A copy of the approval document permitting the hiring of foreign personnel in the production of micro short dramas. For special-themed Category One micro short dramas, should the provincial, autonomous region, or municipality authorities deem necessary, they should consult relevant authorities or stakeholders. Article 20 Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities shall make a decision regarding licensing or refusal of license for Category One micro short dramas within twenty days from the acceptance of the application, wherein the time for organizing expert review is ten days. If approved, a "Micro Short Drama Issuance License" shall be issued to the applicant; if denied, the applicant shall receive written notification explaining the reasons; if modifications are needed, written feedback shall be provided, with the applicant resubmitting after revisions. Article 21 Institutions that have applied for review with the radio and television authority but have not yet obtained issuance permission or have been denied may not transfer their review to other broadcasting departments. Article 22 The State Council's radio and television authority may issue orders to modify, cease broadcasting, or prohibit issuance, promotion, judging awards, and participating in international exchanges as necessary to protect public interest. Article 23 Radio and television authorities shall regularly announce the issuance status of "Micro Short Drama Issuance Licenses" for Category One micro short dramas. Article 24 Provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities are encouraged to implement reviews for Category Two micro short dramas following these Measures and are encouraged to optimize review processes, simplify application materials, and enhance approval efficiency based on regional realities. Chapter Four Standards and Norms Article 25 Micro short dramas must not contain the following content: (1) Violating the fundamental principles enshrined in the constitution, inciting resistance to or destruction of the implementation of laws, regulations, and rules; (2) Endangering national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; leaking state secrets; threatening national security; damaging national dignity, honor, and interests; promoting terrorism or extremism; (3) Inciting national hatred or discrimination, violating ethnic customs, distorting ethnic history or historical figures, harming national emotions, or undermining national unity; (4) Disparaging the fine traditional culture of China; distorting or denying revolutionary culture or socialist advanced culture; promoting cultural nihilism or historical nihilism, defaming or desecrating the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs; (5) Inciting the destruction of national religious policies or promoting cults and superstition; (6) Violating the legitimate rights and interests of minors or harming their physical and mental health; (7) Insulting, slandering others or spreading others' privacy, harming the legitimate rights and interests of others or the public benefit; (8) Promoting ecological destruction, endangering public health; (9) Promoting obscenity, gambling, drug use, materialism, extravagance, promoting discrimination based on race, nationality, region, gender, occupation, physical and mental disabilities, as well as other content harmful to social morality and contrary to public order; (10) Spreading false information, sensationalizing violence or terror, inciting crime, or teaching criminal methods, as well as other content disruptive to social order; (11) Any other content prohibited by laws, administrative regulations, and regulations. Article 26 The names, dialogues, subtitles, and other elements of micro short dramas should meet the following requirements: (1) Comply with the "National Common Language and Writing Law of the People's Republic of China" and relevant laws and regulations, using the national common language for basic communication; dialects may be used for artistic needs; (2) The national common language used should conform to national standards; (3) Special identifiers, callsigns, titles, and phrases should follow usages clarified in relevant laws and regulations; (4) For foreign songs lyrics, titles, and dialogues, and for foreign words and symbols with specific meanings, Chinese subtitles should be added. Article 27 The informational labeling of micro short dramas should meet the following requirements: (1) The opening should prominently display the drama's title, license number, approval document number, and program number; the display method may vary based on the total duration, story setup, and dissemination characteristics of specific types of micro short dramas, presenting separately or integrated with the storyline. (2) The credits for screenwriters, directors, and other personnel should be placed prominently in the opening titles of the first episode or closing credits of the final episode. Article 28 Promotion information for micro short dramas should align with the content and must not violate the provisions of Articles 25 and 26 of these Measures. Chapter Five Broadcasting Requirements Article 29 Broadcasting units of micro short dramas must legally obtain qualifications for engaging in radio, television, or internet audio-visual program services. Article 30 The State Council's radio and television authority will macro-manage the proportion, timing, scheduling, and recommended priorities for broadcasting micro short dramas. Article 31 Category One and Category Two micro short dramas must be broadcast based on licensed content. Priority for broadcast is encouraged for those with a "Micro Short Drama Issuance License" and approval documents. Article 32 Broadcasting units of micro short dramas must establish and implement a chief editor's content responsibility system, creating and improving audit inspection mechanisms and the full-process accountability system for content safety. The chief editor is fully responsible for the quality of micro short drama content and should meet the requirements set by the radio and television authority, reporting to the State Council and provincial, autonomous region, and municipality radio and television authorities. Article 33 Broadcasting units of micro short dramas are obliged to enforce the following responsibilities to ensure standardized dissemination of micro short dramas: (1) For Category One and Category Two micro short dramas, they must verify the "Micro Short Drama Issuance License" or approval documents prior to broadcasting; (2) For Category Three micro short dramas, they must conduct reviews as stipulated in these Measures and simultaneously report relevant program information and program numbers to the radio and television authority online; for non-exclusive broadcasting of Category Three micro short dramas, the broadcasting units must label their own program number based on their review version, without using program numbers from other broadcasting units; (3) For non-professional production and relatively short online audio-visual content with characteristics of micro short dramas, the broadcasting units must fulfill content management responsibilities and enhance information inspection and emergency response measures for content safety; (4) For key accounts disseminating micro short dramas, they should establish a credit evaluation system and implement key management. Article 34 For micro short dramas generated or produced using artificial intelligence technology, the production organizations and broadcasting units must comply with national regulations and add prompt indicators in a prominent position in each episode according to the relevant provisions. Article 35 Broadcasting units shall re-audit Category Three micro short dramas that they rerun based on the review standards set in these Measures. Article 36 Broadcasting units must not provide services for micro short dramas that violate the provisions of Article 25 of these Measures, and should immediately take measures such as ceasing broadcast, severing links, taking offline, or stopping access when problems are discovered. Article 37 Broadcasting units shall regularly review, assess, and validate the mechanisms, models, data, and application results of their algorithms, prioritizing the recommendation of high-quality micro short dramas, and avoiding algorithm models that induce user addiction or excessive consumption. Article 38 Broadcasting units must carry out routine inspections on the compliance of micro short drama content providers and promoters with these Measures, and establish a tiered management system and exit mechanism based on content quantity, user numbers, daily traffic, and take corresponding management measures to mitigate content risks. Article 39 Broadcasting units must fulfill data security protection obligations in accordance with national regulations. Article 40 Broadcasting units must legally sign user agreements with registered users on their platforms according to national regulations, clarifying the rights and obligations of both parties. For paid content, they must clearly inform users about charge-related information and protect consumers' lawful rights. Chapter Six Supervision and Administration Article 41 The radio and television authority shall conduct supervision and inspection, emergency response, and administrative enforcement regarding micro short dramas in accordance with laws and regulations. Micro short drama creators, promoters, and broadcasting units must cooperate with the radio and television authority in its supervisory work in accordance with the law. The radio and television authority shall publicly announce methods of reporting complaints and shall legally process complaints received. Article 42 The State Council's radio and television authority shall guide radio and television authorities at all levels and industry organizations such as the Online Audio-Visual Program Service Association in training micro short drama practitioners to enhance content review and inspection capabilities. Micro short drama creation, promotion, and broadcasting units should organize training for their personnel. Article 43 Micro short drama creation, promotion, and broadcasting units shall cooperate with the radio and television authority in statistical investigations in accordance with the law and shall provide true, accurate, complete, and timely statistical data while offering necessary support for statistical data analysis conducted by the radio and television authority. Chapter Seven Legal Responsibilities Article 44 Those who violate these Measures and broadcast micro short dramas without authorization shall be punished according to Article 50 of the "Radio and Television Management Regulations." Article 45 Those who violate these Measures by producing, promoting, or broadcasting content prohibited by Article 25 shall be ordered to rectify by the provincial-level or above radio and television authorities, which may also require suspension of program content updates; serious violations shall be punished in accordance with Article 49 of the "Radio and Television Management Regulations." Article 46 Those who violate these Measures by not producing according to filed content, not broadcasting according to permitted content, or shifting submissions shall be ordered to rectify by provincial-level or above radio and television authorities, which may issue warnings or public criticisms, and may impose fines not exceeding 100,000 yuan. Article 47 Any administrative permission obtained through deception, bribery, or other improper means shall be revoked. Article 48 If staff members of the radio and television authority violate these Measures, abuse power, neglect their duties, engage in favoritism, or fail to perform their responsibilities as stipulated in these Measures, they shall be subject to legal penalties. Article 49 Concealing relevant information, providing false materials or data, or refusing to provide materials or data to the radio and television authorities responsible for supervision and management shall lead to rectification orders from the county-level or above radio and television authorities, who may issue warnings or public criticisms. Chapter Eight Supplementary Provisions Article 50 Those micro short dramas that do not meet the standards of Category One or Category Two as defined by these Measures may voluntarily apply for filing and public notification as Category One or Category Two dramas and comply with the relevant management requirements of these Measures. Article 51 Management of significant revolutionary and historical theme micro short dramas shall be conducted in accordance with relevant national regulations. Article 52 Micro short dramas produced in cooperation with foreign parties or imported from abroad shall comply with relevant regulations issued by the State Council's radio and television authority. Micro short dramas filmed domestically and intended for broadcasting abroad shall apply the relevant provisions regarding filing, public notification, and review set forth in these Measures. Article 53 If laws, administrative regulations, or State Council documents contain different stipulations, those provisions shall prevail. Article 54 These Measures shall take effect from September 1, 2026. This text is compiled from the official website of the National Radio and Television Administration, and GMTEight editor: Jiang Yuanhua.