Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×

Short-form content on the rise

Broadcasters following social media's lead

Short-form content makes up 11 per cent of upcoming VoD commissions, Ampere Analysis has found.

The report suggested that Snapchat, Facebook Watch and Quibi are spearheading a boom in short-form content, initially driven by comedy but shifting towards factual content.

According to Ampere: “Although commissioning is currently led by the social media platforms, mainstream broadcasters are starting to board the bandwagon, with Channel 4 and BBC in the UK getting in on the act.”

The study also showed:

  • Facebook currently has the most short-form originals, with a focus on news and current affairs
  • Netflix has opted more for scripted comedies, such as sketch series I Think You Should Leave
  • Quibi dominates the number of releases in 2020
  • British broadcaster Channel 4 has said it plans to spend £1 million on new short-form content
  • The BBC is also investing in short-form comedy, including Sorry and Lazy Susan (pictured)

“Short-form content is growing strongly, and we expect to see it boom – both in English-speaking markets and Asia where it’s well-established,” said Ampere analyst Olivia Deane. “Attractive to large and small players alike, short-form offers the opportunity to experiment with high production values at a smaller scale.

“SVoD newcomer Quibi, only producing short-form content, is already the largest commissioner of bite-size television. Quibi, along with other smaller niche platforms, has an exciting opportunity to chase the existing audiences of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. This is a market the mainstream broadcasters don’t want to miss out on, and both Channel 4 and the BBC are making forays into the world of short-form shows.”