Innovative Fiction Format Premieres in Portugal

The first five Portuguese micro-series are now available on RTP Play. Produced by SPi, this marks the first Portuguese project created in a vertical format, positioning Portugal at the forefront of emerging digital fiction trends.

To celebrate the premiere of the first Portuguese vertical series, a launch event was held on March 2 at Espaço LAV, welcoming members of the press and industry partners. The event featured cast members from each series, including Patrícia Tavares, Frederico Amaral, Vera Moura, Rita Bretão, Érica Rodrigues, Ivo Alexandre, Mar Bandeira, João Maneira, Pedro Granger, Diogo Lopes, Inês Curado, among others.

During the premiere event, João Pedro Galveias, Head of Digital and Multimedia at RTP, highlighted the pioneering nature of the initiative: “Today marks the first day that, in Portugal, micro-series are being presented in a sustained way on official platforms,” he stated, adding, “It can truly be considered the first day of a new genre in Portugal.”Created from the ground up for mobile viewing in vertical format (9:16), the Micro Series aim to reach new audiences and adapt fiction to contemporary viewing habits. “Vertical content designed from the outset to be consumed on mobile devices is a very compelling proposition for us, particularly to connect with younger audiences,” said João Pedro Galveias.

To accommodate this new format, RTP Play underwent structural adjustments, and the series will follow an extended multi-distribution strategy.

The project was developed in partnership with SPi. According to João Maia Abreu, Executive Director of International Business and Co-Productions at SPi, the challenge was clear from the start: “Why not ensure that audiences can access fiction wherever they are? (…) We are going to watch content vertically. We are going to experience fiction the way it is being created internationally. And we are going to do it well — with quality.”

He further emphasized that this initiative aligns with a rapidly expanding global trend: “This universal trend is present worldwide. (…) Growth has been exponential, both in terms of platforms and content,” he explained, noting that in Portugal this is the first time the format has been institutionalized through a dedicated platform for vertical storytelling.

Pedro Lopes, Director General of Content, also reinforced the strategic importance of the project for the public broadcaster and the national audiovisual market: “It has been a privilege to embark on this journey with RTP Play, a platform that continuously innovates,” he stated, arguing that micro-series should not be seen as a passing trend but as a format in its own right:
“This is not a fad — it is a format that is here to stay.”

The creator also highlighted the thematic diversity of the newly launched series, which span drama and comedy while addressing socially relevant issues such as domestic violence and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content online. The objective, he explained, is “to entertain with high quality while also informing and educating.”

With this launch, RTP strengthens its presence across multiple screens and embraces a new model of fiction consumption adapted to the rhythm of everyday life. Viewers can watch “an episode in just one and a half minutes” at the start of the day, during their commute, or before going to sleep.

The five Micro Series are now available on RTP Play, with new episodes premiering daily over the coming weeks, as well as on RTP’s social media platforms — marking the beginning of a new chapter for Portuguese fiction in digital and vertical format.

All episodes are available starting today on RTP Play, with daily releases on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube via RTP and RTP Play.

Weekly release schedule:

Monday – Herança Fatal
Tuesday – A Casa dos Outros
Wednesday – Além do Silêncio
Thursday – Sextortion
Friday – Sabores de Amor

Three episodes per series will be released each day at 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.

Credits: ©️2026 Pedro Pina - RTP