Pocket FM says Pocket TV was a 'Beta Product', not a material business as It winds down microdrama vertical

The clarification comes after reports stated that Pocket FM was winding down Pocket TV to sharpen its focus on its core audio dramas business and international growth, while also prioritising profitability ahead of a potential public listing. Pocket FM has responded to reports around the closure of its microdrama offering, Pocket TV, describing it as a beta product that was launched to explore the emerging microdrama category rather than a core business. "Pocket TV was launched as a beta product to explore the emerging microdrama category and is not a material contributor to Pocket FM's business. As with any product experiment, we periodically evaluate performance and strategic fit, and any decisions related to Pocket TV are part of that normal process," a Pocket FM spokesperson told Storyboard18. The company added that its strategic priority continues to be audio entertainment and global expansion. "Our core focus remains building the world's leading audio entertainment platform. Audio continues to account for the overwhelming majority of our business, and we remain focused on scaling the category globally. Today, Pocket FM is one of the largest audio entertainment platforms globally and continues to see strong growth across its key international markets," the spokesperson said. The clarification comes after reports stated that Pocket FM was winding down Pocket TV to sharpen its focus on its core audio dramas business and international growth, while also prioritising profitability ahead of a potential public listing. Industry observers, however, say the broader microdrama segment remains intensely competitive despite its rapid growth. "Almost everyone entering the space was focused on scaling numbers quickly with the eventual goal of an exit. That mindset can send a venture spiralling down. The category has been growing at breakneck speed, but sustaining that pace is not easy," a person familiar with the matter said.