2023 in Review and What to Expect in Chinese Film and Television Industry in 2024
After a turbulent three years of epidemic shock, the Chinese film and television industry shows signs of stabilization and recovery in 2023. The industry witnessed breakthroughs in themes and quality, signaling a positive outlook for 2024.
In terms of domestic dramas, the beginning of 2023 saw “Kurst” breaking popularity records on the iQiyi site and becoming a phenomenon, while “The Road to Life” continued the period drama ratings boom. “The Long Season” broadened the boundaries of suspense dramas, and “The Three-Body Problem” successfully brought hardcore science fiction to the screen. As a result, 2024 will witness more than 300 new dramas to be broadcast or in preparation.
The market stabilization and recovery were evident in the declining output of drama series which has declined for seven consecutive years. This was coupled with strategic adjustments by video platforms showing a renewed focus on the development of high-quality content. The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued a notice to rectify unhealthy trends and emphasized scientific and standardized filing and publicity for filming and production. The purpose was to guide the industry towards pursuing long-term development and high-quality creation.
The demand for serious literature film and television adaptations is expected to rise in 2024. This was evidence by the success of dramas such as “Human World” and “The Road of Life”. The industry has also begun discussing the rules of literature, film, and television creation.
Several highly anticipated dramas are set to be broadcast, including “Hard Manufacturing”, “City Within a City”, “The Protagonist”, “Going North”, and “The Dust Has Settled”. Additionally, CCTV and Tencent Video are expected to launch three female-themed drama series adapted from literary works.
Furthermore, the Chinese film and television industry will continue to lay emphasis on the creation of main theme drama series that will document the changes of the times and explore social issues. The year 2024 will also witness the proliferation of costume-themed works, with a diverse range of historical and detective-themed dramas set to be launched.
Another area of focus will be the suspenseful track, with a growing emphasis on innovative narrative models. The market is likely to witness the broadcast of suspense-related dramas that focus on contemporary issues and people’s livelihood hot spots.
The craze surrounding female-themed works is also expected to continue into 2024, reflecting the increasing awareness of women’s self-awareness as a hot topic in society. Works such as “If Running Is My Life”, “Falling in Love with Navy Blue”, and “Her and Her Islands” will be part of the female-themed content.
To add to this, more costume themes are expected to bloom, offering a diverse range from literature adaptations to female-centered dramas. With a renewed focus on high-quality development, 2024 is set to be a year full of highlights in the Chinese film and television industry.
In conclusion, the industry will enter a recovery and climbing cycle in 2024. The emphasis on high-quality content and the willingness to stabilize and improve offers a promising outlook for Chinese dramas in the coming year. The diversity and innovation seen across different genres will undoubtedly make 2024 an exciting year for the industry.