BayView Entertainment, a distributor based in Los Angeles and Vancouver, has acquired North American distribution rights to a collection of vertical video microdramas from FlareFlow. FlareFlow is a platform run by COL Group International. This marks the first time these mobile-first shows will appear outside their home app. The company plans to release the titles on video-on-demand and transactional video-on-demand services.
Background
FlareFlow launched in late April 2025. It quickly gained traction with users around the world. The app has reached over 10 million downloads in 177 countries and regions. Monthly user spending has grown by 500 percent since the start. Many viewers, especially women aged 20 to 35, watch an average of 22 episodes a day.
The platform offers more than 1,700 titles right now. Stories cover family fights, romance, revenge plots, real-life social issues, and suspense tales about comebacks. Content comes in 11 languages for markets like the United States, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. One hit series, “Mommy, It Hurts… Where’s Daddy?”, drew over 40 percent of existing users soon after launch. Viewers finish these shows at higher rates than average, and more people subscribe.
COL Group, which is listed on the stock market in China, runs production from hubs in mainland China and Los Angeles. They also have centers in Asia and North America. The company plans to make 100 original series this year. Next year, in 2026, they aim for 180 series. Each one costs between $200,000 and $250,000 to produce. That points to a spend of $36 million to $45 million on originals in 2026.
FlareFlow hit the top five entertainment apps on Google Play in the U.S. shortly after launch. It reached number eight on Apple's iOS entertainment chart. The team uses AI tools and data to improve content. They test over 400 ideas each month, from strong opening hooks to tweaks for different cultures.
“FlareFlow’s rise is not an easy feat — it is the culmination of years spent mastering content, audience insight, and changing consumption patterns,” said Ray Tong, CEO of COL Group.
BayView Entertainment has built a name in distribution over the years. The company focuses on independent films, documentaries, and niche content. They have offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Past deals include output agreements with studios like Sub Rosa Studios and Summer Hill Films. BayView also took on assets from Passion River Films and entered first-look pacts with outfits like Paris Films and Requia Studios. They handle releases on streaming, physical media, and more. Recent moves involve music docs and classic film restorations.
Key Details
The deal covers a catalog of FlareFlow titles. These are short vertical videos made for phones. BayView will bring them to North American VOD and TVOD platforms. That means services where users can rent or buy to watch anytime.
FlareFlow started as an app-only experience. Now, these microdramas step into broader distribution. BayView knows the home entertainment space well. They have released everything from horror flicks to kids' environmental shows like 'Green SuperHeroes 2030'. Their reach includes streaming deals and international sales.
COL Group also runs another microdrama app called ReelShort. That one has a similar focus on quick, engaging stories. FlareFlow stands out with its global push and fast growth stats.
Production and Growth Plans
For 2025, COL Group expects 100 original dramas from FlareFlow. The jump to 180 in 2026 shows big ambition. Production happens across multiple spots, including L.A. This lines up with the new distribution push into North America. BayView's role fits as they expand library access beyond apps.
The microdrama format hooks viewers fast. Episodes are short, often one minute or less. Plots build tension quickly with romance, drama, or twists. Data shows high binge rates. Users stick around and spend more over time.
BayView's track record includes merges and new platforms. They linked up with dotstudioPRO for Chillfree TV, an AI-driven service with thousands of hours of content. That deal adds FAST and AVOD options. Now, FlareFlow content joins their growing slate.
“Success in microdramas is never about chance; it comes from building the discipline to know when to spark emotion, when to drop the hook, and how to sustain engagement,” Ray Tong added.
What This Means
This deal opens FlareFlow shows to new audiences on big platforms. Viewers who skip apps can now rent or stream these series. It tests how microdramas perform outside mobile. North America has a huge market for on-demand video. BayView's experience with indies and streaming could help these titles find fans.
For COL Group, it spreads FlareFlow beyond downloads. More eyes mean more data on what works. Their production ramp-up in 2026 gets a boost from wider reach. BayView gains fresh content in a hot category. Short-form video booms with social media habits. Vertical format suits phones and TVs alike now.
Independent distributors like BayView thrive by spotting trends. Microdramas mix soap opera vibes with TikTok speed. Past BayView releases show they handle genre mixes well. This could lead to more crossovers between app content and traditional video services.
COL's investment signals confidence. Hitting 10 million downloads fast proves demand. High completion rates and spending growth back that up. BayView's network of deals positions them to push these titles hard. Expect rollouts soon on major VOD spots.
The shift from app-only to multi-platform matters. It mirrors how short video grows across screens. FlareFlow's global stats hint at U.S. potential. Women 20-35 drive much of the viewership. That group watches lots of on-demand already.
BayView keeps expanding. Acquisitions and partnerships build their catalog. FlareFlow fits as mobile trends hit home video. Distributors adapt to keep content flowing. This move sets up both sides for gains in a changing market.
