Summary:
This week on Next in Media, Mike Shields talks with Erick Opeka, President & Chief Strategy Officer at Cineverse and board member at the startup Micro Co. Opeka breaks down how short-form “micro-dramas”—already attracting hundreds of millions of daily viewers in China—are taking shape in the U.S. and why they could become a $20 billion category.
He explains how Cineverse’s 22 streaming services, proprietary Matchpoint technology, and deep ad-tech stack position it to lead this wave. From Quibi’s missteps to AI-driven efficiencies, Opeka shares how the next generation of vertical video could transform storytelling, advertising, and the very idea of television.
00:00 – Intro and Erick Opeka’s role at Cineverse
01:00 – How Cineverse runs 22 streaming services with Matchpoint
04:00 – Ad-tech integration and C360 audience platform
05:00 – The micro-drama trend and China’s 600 million viewers
07:30 – Why micro-dramas hook audiences psychologically
09:30 – U.S. market potential and viewer behavior
11:00 – Genres evolving beyond romance
13:00 – Demographics and comparison to K-drama boom
14:30 – Business models: subscription vs ad-supported
17:00 – Early lessons from China and U.S. adoption curve
18:00 – Formation of Micro Co and the creative team
21:00 – Building a U.S. platform with better UX and production quality
26:00 – Quibi comparisons and why this time is different
29:00 – Timeline for launch and platform strategy
32:00 – Brand building and sustainable growth vs CAC race
34:00 – CTV integration and cross-screen potential
35:40 – Advertising ecosystem and brand interest
37:40 – TERRIFIER franchise and Cineverse’s studio approach
40:00 – Final thoughts on innovation and industry future
