国家广播电视总局于2026年7月27日审议通过《微短剧发展管理办法》，该办法将自2026年9月1日起施行[1]。该办法对微短剧的定义、创作、备案、审核、播出等全流程进行了规范。
根据办法规定，微短剧是指单集时长少于二十分钟、主题主线明确、故事情节连续完整、人物角色突出的剧集[1]。办法将微短剧按投资额度和题材分为三类：一类为投资额度较大或特殊题材，二类为投资额度相对不大且一般题材，三类为投资额度较低且一般题材[1]。其中，一类和二类微短剧需在播出前申请审核，获得《微短剧发行许可证》或批准文件[1]。省、自治区、直辖市以上人民政府广播电视主管部门应当自受理申请之日起二十日内作出许可或不予许可决定，其中专家评审时间为十日[1]。
办法明确了微短剧的内容标准，禁止内容包括违反宪法、危害国家安全、煽动民族仇恨、侵害未成年人、散布虚假信息等[1]。微短剧播出单位应建立总编辑内容负责制，建立健全审核把关机制[1]。针对人工智能技术应用，办法规定使用人工智能技术生成、制作的微短剧应在每集明显位置添加提示标识[1]。
The State Administration of Radio and Television approved the Regulations on Short-Form Drama Development on July 27, 2026, with implementation set to begin September 1, 2026 [1]. The new framework establishes comprehensive standards governing short-form dramas across creation, registration, review, and broadcast stages [1].
Under the regulations, short-form dramas are defined as episodes with individual lengths under twenty minutes, featuring clear themes, continuous and complete storylines, and prominent character development [1]. The framework categorizes productions into three classes based on investment scale and content type: Class One encompasses productions with larger investment amounts or special-subject content; Class Two comprises productions with relatively modest investment and general-subject matter; and Class Three includes low-investment productions with general-subject material [1]. Class One and Class Two dramas must obtain a Short-Form Drama Distribution License or approval documentation before broadcast [1].
The regulatory framework prohibits content that violates the Constitution, endangers national security, incites ethnic hatred, harms minors, or spreads false information [1]. Broadcast platforms must establish editor-in-chief accountability systems and develop comprehensive content review mechanisms [1]. Provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal broadcasting authorities must render licensing decisions within twenty days of application receipt, including a ten-day expert review period [1]. Additionally, short-form dramas created or produced using artificial intelligence technology must display a clear indicator label at a prominent position in each episode [1].