Thailand’s AIS Partners with ReelShort to Target “Verticaltainment” Trend with Massive Micro-Drama Library

Brickinfo News Agency – Thailand’s leading telecommunications provider, AIS, has officially entered a global partnership with the storytelling platform ReelShort, marking the world’s first collaboration between the app and a mobile operator. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the rising “Verticaltainment” trend, as internal data reveals a 56% increase in vertical series consumption among Thai users over the past year. Through this agreement, AIS customers gain access to a library of over 4,000 premium titles, specifically designed for mobile-first, short-form viewing.

The expansion into the vertical drama market is driven by shifting consumer behaviors. According to AIS, approximately 9 million of its customers currently engage with vertical series apps monthly, with 3 million new users joining the segment within the last year. To address this demand, the operator is launching dedicated 5G ReelShort packages starting at 39 THB per month, providing localized content including Thai subtitles and Thai-dubbed versions of popular international micro-dramas.

Lertchai Kodsup, Chief Mobile Business Officer of AIS, stated: “AIS data shows that usage of vertical short-drama apps has grown by 56% compared with the previous year. Currently, around 9 million AIS customers use vertical series apps each month. This reflects changing consumer behavior, as audiences increasingly prefer content that is short, fast, binge-worthy, and accessible anytime, anywhere.” He added that the collaboration reaffirms the company’s ability to connect intelligent network capabilities with global content, positioning AIS as a comprehensive provider with over 500 new original titles planned annually.

Joey Jia, CEO of Crazy Maple Studio (the owner of ReelShort), highlighted that the platform’s content is produced in Hollywood to ensure premium quality while maintaining the bite-sized format required for modern digital lifestyles. “This partnership with AIS marks our first telco collaboration globally and positions Thailand as the launchpad for our regional expansion,” Jia noted. He emphasized that the model integrates high-impact storytelling with mobile connectivity, making genres like romance, fantasy, and thriller more accessible to the local market.

The service rollout includes various subscription tiers for both postpaid and prepaid users. Beyond the monthly 39 THB add-on, daily and weekly data bundles are available to ensure uninterrupted streaming. Furthermore, the company is offering one year of free ReelShort access to customers who switch to the network or register new numbers under specific 5G Max Experience plans, signaling a long-term commitment to embedding micro-drama content into its core digital ecosystem.