TikTok tests paid microdrama app LimeShorts in the US
TikTok is testing a paid microdrama app called LimeShorts in the US, with tests beginning in March. Users can pay $20 per week or $200 per year for full access.
TikTok is currently testing a new paid microdrama application named LimeShorts in the United States. The test phase began in March, signaling a move by parent company ByteDance to diversify its content offerings beyond its primary short-video format.
The LimeShorts app allows users to access its content library through a subscription model, costing $20 per week or $200 annually. Alternatively, individual episodes can be unlocked using virtual coins. The platform specializes in short-form dramas, typically between one and five minutes in length, presented in a vertical format.
Genres available on LimeShorts include comedy, romance, and mystery. The content is currently sourced from third-party partners. The app has replaced ByteDance's Mytopia application in the US market. TikTok is also operating a free microdrama app, PineDrama, and experimenting with a dedicated microdrama feed within its main application.
This foray into paid, niche content like microdramas suggests TikTok's strategy to explore new revenue streams and cater to user preferences for more specialized video experiences.