Vertical short films from mobile apps debut on North American streaming platforms

LOS ANGELES — BayView Entertainment has acquired the North American distribution rights for a catalog of vertical short-form video titles from FlareFlow, a drama platform owned by COL Group International.

The deal marks the first time this mobile-centric content will be released outside of its native application. BayView, which operates out of Los Angeles and Vancouver, plans to debut the titles on video-on-demand (VOD) and transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) platforms in the second quarter of 2026.

BayView President Peter Castro and FlareFlow CEO James Wang announced the partnership, which includes titles such as “Who’s the Real Bride?,” “My Christmas Lover,” and “The Blind Heiress Strikes Back.”

Launched in April 2025, FlareFlow has grown to more than 25 million subscribers worldwide. The platform specializes in vertical-format serials with episodes running under 90 seconds, often utilizing cliffhanger endings to maintain viewer engagement.

The distribution partnership between BayView and FlareFlow is more than a standard licensing agreement; it serves as a critical litmus test for whether mobile-native content can thrive and monetize within traditional streaming ecosystems.

This deal underscores a broader "TikTok-ization" of the entertainment sector. FlareFlow has effectively weaponized the social media playbook—leveraging short-form, vertical-format narratives and high-frequency hooks—to sustain viewer engagement. Transitioning this model to platforms historically reserved for feature films and long-form serials represents a significant strategic gamble. The central question for the industry remains whether consumers, accustomed to the cinematic experience of large-screen interfaces, will demonstrate a willingness to pay for serialized 90-second clips.

Furthermore, the move continues to erode the distinction between social media assets and professional entertainment. While FlareFlow’s "micro-dramas" boast professional production values, their utility remains rooted in rapid, high-volume consumption. BayView’s decision to aggregate these titles alongside prestige cinema—including selections from the Sundance and Tribeca film festivals—signals a fundamental shift in how distributors value and commoditize content in the digital age.

For BayView, the partnership offers a low-risk vehicle to capture FlareFlow’s expansive user base. For FlareFlow, it provides an opportunity to validate its intellectual property beyond its proprietary app ecosystem and diversify its revenue streams. Should this model prove successful, it will likely compel major studios and global streamers to re-evaluate their investment strategies regarding short-form scripted content.

The global rise of short-form, vertical video has fundamentally reshaped how younger generations, including Vietnamese Americans, consume media. By bringing these "microdramas" to familiar platforms, creators are tapping into a demographic that is already accustomed to fast-paced, mobile-first entertainment. Whether they are Gen Z-ers in Little Saigon or young professionals navigating life on H-1B or F2B visas, these viewers favor bite-sized content that fits into a busy lifestyle—offering a quick escape during a break at the nail salon or while waiting for a bowl of phở.