Encanta Digital

Fortunately, I am predicting long-form videos will make a big comeback in 2026. Fast-paced, snack-sized dopamine-driven content will not cut it anymore as users begin to crave more depth, storytelling and authentic substance. Short-form blew up with TikTok, Shorts and Reels, but there are signs of viewer exhaustion. For example, YouTube captures a lion's share (~50%) of global social watch time primarily due to long-form content, and TikTok now lets you upload 10-minute videos. We're also starting to see more podcast episodes exceeding 1 hour in runtime, such as Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO (highly recommend!), hitting ~2 hours frequently these days. Short-form videos, as they are now, should be a means of attention (to get discovered in the first place). But brands and creators must create narrative-driven, longer-form content series that are relatable and relevant to their target audience. This is what will keep the audience's attention long after they're done watching the video. This comes back to shifting the mindset to that of TV networks, where your audience is gagging to return for the next episode. 😂