TIFFCOM 2023: Chinese TV Industry Focuses on Historical Epics and Urban Romance

During TIFFCOM 2023 on October 24, major Chinese production companies, including Linmon Media, Drama Apple, Xixi Media, and Youhug, showcased their upcoming projects focused on historical epics and urban romance dramas. This year's presentations highlight a significant pivot in content strategy, with a noted emphasis on blending traditional narratives with contemporary themes.

This development is significant in the context of China's animated growth in the television sector, where historical dramas consistently captured audience ratings. For instance, data from 2022 indicated that historical dramas accounted for 40% of viewership across streaming platforms, while urban romance series also significantly increased in popularity, garnering 30% of total drama views.

Linmon Media previewed five new projects, including a historical epic titled "The Dynasty Reborn," which aims to capitalize on the successful formula of exaggerating historical events for dramatic effect. Similar to the success of the 2022 hit "The Longest Day in Chang'an," which attracted over 1 billion views, this new series is expected to focus on intricately crafted plots and character development.

Sources confirm that Drama Apple will launch a romantic drama, "City Dreams," on December 1, featuring rising stars Wang Yibo and Dilraba Dilmurat as leads. This marks a return for both actors to the small screen following their success in previous roles, with Yibo’s past work on the series "The Untamed" in 2019 maintaining relevance among fans.

The trend of intertwining historical narratives with modern storytelling is not new but has gained accelerated traction since 2021, when impacts from global viewership trends began influencing domestic productions. Notably, the urban romance starter "My Little Happiness" also aired to significant acclaim in 2021, reinforcing the dual appeal of both genres.

Industry experts speculate this content strategy may reflect attempts by networks to capture younger audiences, similar to when historical dramas became mainstream in the early 2010s. According to research from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in 2022, 65% of young adult viewers expressed a preference for series that combine historical references with relatable themes.

Future implications for the Chinese TV industry suggest an ongoing investment in high-quality production values and international collaborations. Linmon and Youhug have potential co-productions lined up for Spring 2024, aiming to reach overseas markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and North America.

As the TIFFCOM 2023 conference progresses, expectations are high for announcements regarding additional partnerships and showcases. This event marks not only a reaffirmation of traditional genres but also a strategic pivot towards modernization, reflecting an evolving media landscape.