Today's Highlights：
1. Annual Report on Development of China's Radio and Television All-Media (2025) Released: Mini Series Viewership on TV Screens Triples Compared to Last Year
2. Mini Series Committee of the China Netcasting Services Association Officially Established
3. Mini Series Xiong Mao Yu Ni, Gun Gun Er Lai (Panda & You, Rolling in) Premieres Exclusively on Youku on October 27
4. Xiangxi's Intangible Cultural Heritage Goes Viral Through Mini Series
5. Mini Series Cheng Li Cheng Wai (Town and Village) Begins Filming in Enshi
6. A Brief Analysis of the "Mini Series Mindset"
Annual Report on Development of China's Radio and Television All-Media (2025) Released: Mini Series Viewership on TV Screens Triples Compared to Last Year
On October 27, the 2025 China's Radio and Television Quality Report Release Event was held at the Beijing Conference Center. As a key prelude to the 2025 Conference on Creation of High-Quality-Product in Radio and Television of China, the event highlighted major industry trends and developments. During the event, three professional research reports were released: Annual Report on Development of China's Radio and Television All-Media (2025), Radio and Television Large-Screen Viewership Report (2025), and Research Report on the High-Quality Development of TV Screens under Cross-Screen Integration.In terms of high-quality audiovisual content creation, TV dramas recorded a total viewership of 193.6 billion, marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase; variety shows garnered 63.8 billion views, up by 9.0%; and documentaries reached 63.5 billion, an increase of 9.2%. Mini series saw a notable surge, with a total of 2.16 billion views on large TV screens—three times higher than the previous year—demonstrating significant growth potential.China's international communication capabilities has also been substantially enhanced, with a marked increase in program exports. Provincial radio and television administrations are actively building global communication networks. Currently, 29 provincial broadcasters have launched official accounts on international social media platforms, and 9 provincial broadcasters have established international communication centers to strengthen collaborative outreach. Chinese audiovisual products continue to expand their presence in the global market. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the total export volume of radio and television programs and related services has grown by over 40%. Furthermore, new forms of cultural export, such as online games, internet films and dramas, and digital cultural heritage projects, are emerging. To date, over 300 Chinese mini series have already been launched on overseas streaming platforms.
Mini Series Committee of the China Netcasting Services Association Officially Established
On October 27, the founding ceremony of the Mini Series Committee under China Netcasting Services Association took place during the 2025 China Netcasting Golden Orange Index Conference. As a branch of the China Netcasting Services Association, the Mini Series Committee brings together a wide range of members, including industry associations, netcasting platforms, production companies, new media institutions, universities, research centers, technology companies, copyright management organizations, industry self-media, and e-commerce platforms. The establishment of the Mini Series Committee aims to implement the guidelines and key initiatives set by the National Radio and Television Administration, enhance industry self-regulation, support standardized development of mini series, foster communication across sectors, and help build a robust ecosystem that nurtures the creation of high-quality mini series.
Mini Series Xiong Mao Yu Ni, Gun Gun Er Lai (Panda & You, Rolling in) Premieres Exclusively on Youku on October 27
In celebration of International Panda Day, the 12-episode mini series Xiong Mao Yu Ni, Gun Gun Er Lai (Panda & You, Rolling in) premiered exclusively on Youku on October 27. The series is guided by the Publicity Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Shandong Provincial Radio and Television Administration, and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. It is jointly produced by China Film Co., Ltd., Qingdao Hanmei Xingchen Cultural Media Co., Ltd., and others.The story follows Liu Liu, a young woman who, after being laid off from her job in Beijing, joins a panda breeding base in Chengdu as a part-time worker through a recommendation from her senior sister in college. As she works at the base, she reconsiders her career path and finds love along the way. The series also showcases the adorable charm of China's national treasure—the giant panda, and highlights the dedication of the panda keepers. By combining the format and content of "mini series + cultural tourism," the show presents both the uniqueness of Chinese culture and a sense of modern life. This series is a remarkable contribution to the National Radio and Television Administration's "Travel with Mini Series" creation plan.
Xiangxi's Intangible Cultural Heritage Goes Viral Through Mini Series
With the support of the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA)'s "Travel with Mini Series" creation plan, many intangible cultural heritage resources in Xiangxi, Hunan, have been revitalized. In 2024, the first intangible cultural heritage mini series Xiangxi De Na Ge Xia Tian (That Summer in Xiangxi), which follows the story of a Miao girl learning to play traditional drums, successfully integrated scenic spots such as Dehang Canyon and Aizhai Bridge with Miao drum culture. The series was selected as a recommended work by the NRTA and featured on the high-quality list of Yangshipin.In 2025, works such as Chong Sheng Zhi Wo Zai Qin Chao Song Kuai Di (Reborn: I Deliver Express in the Qin Dynasty) and Tuan Jun Man Nu (The Wrath of the Tuan Army) continued to deepen the fusion of intangible heritage and cultural tourism. These productions adopted a distinctive model combining "intangible heritage consultants + professional directors," to ensure the authenticity of cultural representation. Xiangxi's efforts highloights how mini series have become a vital new bridge for cultural preservation and rural revitalization. Their success lies in three aspects: cultural depth, by building databases for intangible heritage and revolutionary resources to ensure rooted creativity; technological empowerment, by leveraging 4K, 8K, and VR technologies to enhance viewer immersion; and industrial synergy, by forming a comprehensive chain that connects "production, shooting, derivatives, and tourism."
Mini Series Cheng Li Cheng Wai (Town and Village) Begins Filming in Enshi
On October 13, one of the featured mini series in the thousand-episode En Shi Gu Shi (Stories of Enshi) collection, Cheng Li Cheng Wai (Town and Village) begins filming in Enshi City, Hubei. Cheng Li Cheng Wai tells a cross-era love story set between the Republic of China period and the founding of the People's Republic of China. Through the reconciliation between "town and village", the series explores the themes of forgiveness and perseverance in a new era.In the story, Su Man, a young lady of a wealthy family in Enshi, flees from an arranged marriage with a warlord and escapes to the countryside, where she is rescued by a carpenter named Chen Sheng. As they spend time together in his workshop, love quietly blossoms between them, and Chen Sheng gives Su Man a magnolia hairpin carved from boxwood. When Su's father discovers their relationship, he becomes furious and falsely accuses Chen Sheng of theft and has him imprisoned, while forcing Su Man to return home for marriage. Su Man escapes a second time and searches for Chen Sheng everywhere, only to find out that he has left Enshi with his mother. In 1952, after the founding of New China, the two unexpectedly meet again. They finally resolve their past grievances and hold a modern-style wedding, blessed by their neighbors.
A Brief Analysis of the "Mini Series Mindset"
The recent TV drama Xu Wo Yao Yan (Love's Ambition) has achieved remarkable ratings, even earning the title of "the light of long-form dramas" within the industry. Interestingly, its character development, plot progression, and detailed storytelling align closely with the logic of mini series. Many viewers suggest that the show's addictive appeal stems precisely from what can be described as the "mini series mindset."A defining feature of mini series lies in their clarity in character design. Rather than emphasizing complexity or uniqueness, characters in mini series are defined by their clear and straightforward identities. Characters in these mini series are not designed to invite the audience to explore the depth of human nature or the possibilities of life. These characters, in turn, undergo growth or transformation, relying on their consistent traits to confront and overcome challenges. This clarity fosters immediate recognition and emotional connection with the audience..The emotional logic of mini series centers on swift and gratifying resolution. Such stories are crafted to provide ongoing emotional value. The first layer of this value is a sense of excitement and fulfillment, while the second layer is the avoidance of emotional entanglements. Problems in real-life are solved decisively and gratifyingly. Narratively, mini series frequently follow a "level-up and challenge" structure. Each episode introduces a climax or twist, and a few episodes coming together to form a cohesive story arc. The protagonist advances by defeating opponents and overcoming difficulties, achieving both personal growth and social elevation.More importantly, the mini series format is not merely a form of light entertainment—it represents a mindset that increasingly shapes how we perceive life. This influence is not easily categorized as inherently good or bad, but it does highlight the need for a more diverse and balanced cultural landscape. When a single creative mindset prevails, it risks diminishing the vitality and richness of artistic expression.
