The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued a management notice to establish the value orientation of micro-series
1. Content interpretation
The management guidelines issued by the National Radio and Television Administration provide clear creative directions and value guidance for film and television companies. First, these companies must abandon their excessive reliance on "pleasure" and instead focus on realistic themes. The guidelines emphasize that "pleasure" is not synonymous with micro-series, and creations should avoid emotional expressions "diss" or "face-slapping" as well as stereotypical character designs. Instead, they should address the genuine needs of the public by integrating social concerns the core of their narratives, such as conveying hope through stories of ordinary peoples struggles. Second, companies need to balance artistic imagination with realistic logic. While techniques "time travel" or "rebirth" can enhance dramatic impact, they must adhere to life, legal, historical, and scientific principles to avoid over-entertainment that undermines real-world foundations. For instance, historical-themed micro-series could explore cultural heritage themes rather than creating absurd plots detached from contemporary reality. Finally, companies should reshape ethical narratives in romance, abandoning the practice of using "sensationalism" or "vulgarity" as emotional catalysts in favor of promoting civilized and warm perspectives on marriage and relationships. When depicting emotional conflicts, they should portray human complexity in depth rather than relying on clichés aristocratic feuds or power-hunting tropes. Additionally, the industry must recognize that the micro-series market has exceeded 50 billion yuan. Under policy guidance that combines "standardized management" with "creative enhancement," companies should proactively participate in initiatives "Traveling with Micro-Series," extending their creative reach to social issues such as rural revitalization and Chinas manufacturing sector. While pursuing commercial value, they must also shoulder the social responsibility of disseminating mainstream culture.
2. Policy content
On March 13, the Department of Online Audio-visual of the National Radio and Television Administration called on all provinces to actively respond to peoples concerns, and urged them to create "down-to-earth" works that should not be floating, but return to life and art itself.
There are three points mentioned in the management prompt:
Firstly, "shuang" is not synonymous with micro-series, and the creation of micro-series should not blindly pursue "shuang". The management guidelines state: " Shuang can evoke comfort and pleasure, satisfying audiences psychological needs for fulfilling their desires through strong immersion. However, it is crucial to avoid resorting to venting expressions diss or face-slapping , as well as character designs such as omnipotent heroes or extreme villains."
Secondly, "time-travel" and "rebirth" are not equivalent to artistic imagination, and micro-series creation cannot be devoid of taboos. "Techniques time-travel and rebirth that create temporal dislocations can enhance the dramatic quality of short-form literary works," he further explained. However, its crucial to avoid indulging in arbitrary narrative construction and excessive entertainment-oriented expressions.
Thirdly, "sensationalism" and "vulgarity" should not be the guiding principles of romantic narratives, as micro-series creation must remain grounded in reality. The document emphasizes: "Romantic dramas often fulfill audiences psychological needs for love, security, and happiness through protagonists handsome appearances, intricate storylines, and nuanced emotions. However, they must avoid indulging in clichéd or sensationalized tropes. Instead, we should promote healthy perspectives on marriage and relationships—acknowledging human limitations, maintaining multidimensional portrayals that reflect real life, and imbuing stories with civilized and heartwarming values."
