The future of digital entertainment is being rewritten—and iQIYI, China’s premier online entertainment platform, is leading the charge. At its 2025 iQIYI World Conference in Beijing, the company unveiled a bold vision for the next era of content, blending long-form and short-form storytelling, expanding IP monetization, and harnessing AI-driven innovation to meet rapidly shifting viewer demands.
With over 400 new titles announced, spanning dramas, films, documentaries, and more, iQIYI is positioning itself at the forefront of an industry undergoing seismic transformation.
A New Era of “Long + Short” Storytelling
As attention spans shrink and content consumption fragments, iQIYI is doubling down on a dual-content strategy—leveraging both long-form prestige projects and short-form, snackable entertainment.
Yu Gong, Founder and CEO of iQIYI, framed 2025 as a pivotal year: *”We’re adapting to an era where storytelling must be both high-quality and hyper-accessible. Mini-dramas are no longer supplementary—they’re a core growth driver alongside traditional series.”*
Long-Form: Elevating Drama with Signature Brands
The platform’s long-form strategy revolves around five flagship “Theaters”, each specializing in distinct genres:
- “Laugh On” (comedy)
- “Light On” (crime thrillers, including adaptations of Zi Jinchen’s acclaimed trilogy)
- “Love On” (romance)
- “Masterpiece” (literary adaptations)
- “Microcosm” (experimental, cinematic storytelling)
Notable upcoming titles include *”A Life For A Life”* and *”Dead End”*, reinforcing iQIYI’s reputation for gripping serialized narratives.
Short-Form: Mini-Dramas as a Cultural Force
On the short-form front, iQIYI is investing heavily in mini-dramas (1-5 minutes) and short-dramas (5-20 minutes), launching initiatives like:
- “Thousand Mini-Dramas Initiative” (genre diversity)
- “Hundred Hong Kong Mini-Dramas Initiative” (regional storytelling)
- “Major Short-Drama Initiative” (quality at scale)
These efforts aim to elevate the artistic and commercial potential of bite-sized content while catering to mobile-first audiences.
Monetizing IP Beyond the Screen
iQIYI isn’t just creating content—it’s building ecosystems. The company is expanding its IP monetization through:
Content-Driven E-Commerce
A new e-commerce platform, tightly integrated with iQIYI’s shows, allows users to shop products linked to their favorite series in real time—bolstered by livestreaming and celebrity collaborations.
Immersive Theme Parks
Following the success of its first iQIYI LAND, two new theme parks in Yangzhou and Kaifeng will bring beloved IPs to life through interactive, tech-enhanced experiences.
AI: The Future of Personalized Entertainment
Technology is at the heart of iQIYI’s evolution. Key innovations include:
- iJump: An AI-powered feature that lets viewers skip to the most engaging scenes, adapting playback to individual preferences.
- Taodou: An intelligent assistant offering personalized recommendations and enabling real-time interactions with virtual characters from iQIYI’s shows.
- AI-Enhanced Production: Tools like Screenplay Workshop and QClip streamline script development and on-set workflows, reducing costs while boosting creativity.
*”We’re shifting from producer-led storytelling to viewer-led discovery,”* said Wenfeng Liu, President of iQIYI’s Infrastructure and Intelligent Content Group.
The Road Ahead
With its 2025-2026 slate, iQIYI isn’t just adapting to industry trends—it’s setting them. By merging scalable content production, cutting-edge technology, and multi-platform monetization, the company is redefining what it means to be a global entertainment powerhouse.
For audiences and creators alike, the message is clear: The future of entertainment is integrated, immersive, and intelligent—and iQIYI is leading the way.
