TikTok quietly launches a micro drama app called ‘PineDrama’

Summary

TikTok has quietly released a new standalone short drama app called PineDrama in the U.S. and Brazil. The app offers access to micro dramas, which are essentially bite-sized TV shows that can be watched in a series of one-minute episodes. Think TikTok, but every single video you come across is a short episode of a fictional story. PineDrama is available on iOS and Android. It’s free and currently ad-free, though that could change in the future. The news was first reported by Business Insider. You can find content through the app’s “Discover” tab, where you can sort through “All” or “Trending dramas, or through endless vertical recommendations that are tailored to your taste. PineDrama features a variety of genres, including thriller, romance, family, and more. Examples of popular shows include “Love at First Bite” and “The Officer Fell For Me.” The app features a “Watch history” section where you can jump back into the various series you’re watching. There’s also a “Favorites” section where you can save the dramas you like the most. You can also share thoughts with other viewers in the comment section, and enter a full-screen viewing experience that gets rid of the caption and sidebar. Image Credits:TikTok The move comes as TikTok launched a “TikTok Minis” section in its app late last year, where users can watch micro dramas. With the launch of PineDrama, TikTok is taking on popular micro drama platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox. While the micro drama industry wasn’t that popular until recent years, it’s racing toward $26 billion in annual revenue by 2030, as reported by Variety. Techcrunch event San Francisco | October 13-15, 2026 Short-form storytelling hasn’t always found success, even with notable backing. In 2020, DreamWorks co-founder and former Disney executive Jeffrey Katzenberg launched a short-form streaming platform called Quibi with $1.75 billion in funding. The platform offered episodes under 10 minutes featuring popular Hollywood actors, but failed ...