BRISTOL, UK, 25/03/26: New Digital i research into microdrama consumption on YouTube, first presented by media consultant Beatrice Rossmanith at Series Mania Forum in Lille, has revealed heavy engagement from women 35+ and significant under-viewing from men in all age groups.
Digital i examined the demographic data of viewers to the official YouTube channels of popular microdrama apps DramaBox, ReelShort, FlickReels, My Drama and CandyJar, during 2025.
Engagement was measured in 20 countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Poland, The Netherlands, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Digital i found that female YouTube users spent a higher proportion of their time on these microdrama channels than their typical overall YouTube usage.
Notably, female YouTube users aged 35-44 accounted for 11.5% of all streams in the 20 measured countries last year, but 20.8% of streams to these five microdrama channels.
The 45-54 female age group also showed heavy over-engagement, with 15.7% of streams to the channels coming from this demographic, more than double their 7.7% share of overall YouTube streams.
The reverse was true for male YouTube users across these measured countries, demonstrating viewing way below average consumption. Notably, males aged 18-24 represented 13.7% of all YouTube streaming activity in 2025, but only 6.0% of streams to these microdrama channels.
Digital i also found that YouTube users who viewed content on these microdrama channels watched more content on the platform overall last year.
While a typical YouTube user watched an average of 10.9 standard videos and 14.7 Shorts per day during 2025, viewers of those five microdrama channels watched 13.8 standard videos and 21.5 Shorts per day during the same period.
"Our latest research provides a major insight into how specific demographics are migrating toward ultra-short-form scripted content," said Digital i analyst Sam Vahdati. "The fact that women over 35 are not only heavily over-engaging with microdrama channels but that viewers of these channels are also significantly more active across the entire YouTube platform demonstrates the power of this content as an overall engagement driver.
“Understanding these high-engagement viewers is essential for navigating an increasingly fragmented global market.”
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ABOUT DIGITAL I
Digital i is a global streaming media measurement company that tracks subscriber engagement and content consumption through privacy-compliant, opt-in panels and proprietary data capture technology. Offering deep insights into what, where, when, why, and how viewers watch, Digital i empowers major streamers and studios to understand audiences like never before.
Founded in 2003, the company started out as a linear analytics firm and has since expanded to measure streaming audiences in more than 20 countries.
Digital i’s clients include streamers, broadcasters and media brands, who use viewing data analytics to negotiate better deals, compete on a global level, and find their niche in an ever-changing market.
Mark Layton
Communications Lead
mark.layton@digital-i.com
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