Jingzhe Research Institute reported on March 5 that Chinese producers were using AI for both animated short dramas and productions with photorealistic generated characters.
The report described two practical changes: video tools were improving continuity between shots, while online production reduced the need for location filming and large crews. These are different benefits: usable footage does not itself establish audience demand.
For costs, it cited reporting on AI live-action-style productions costing a few thousand yuan per minute. The previous version here overstated that range as tens of thousands.
The article also described platform incentives and reported audience figures. Such examples concern particular productions and top-tier programmes, rather than guaranteed returns for every producer. It identified repetitive visual styles and audience fatigue as continuing creative limitations.
Editorial correction, October 14, 2026: Cost wording and unsupported generalisations corrected; original publication date retained.