KukuTV, QuickTV, FlickTV, ReelSaga: Platform-by-Platform Dubbing Requirements Guide

Every micro drama platform has its own technical pipeline. A dubbed episode that sounds perfect but does not meet the platform’s ingestion specifications gets rejected — causing rework, delays, and missed content launch windows.

This guide covers the dubbing and localization specifications for India’s top micro drama platforms and the major international players that source content from or distribute into India. If you are a dubbing studio, a content licensor, or a platform operations team, bookmark this page as your delivery reference.

Before We Start: The Universal Pre-Production Checklist

Regardless of which platform you are dubbing for, confirm these specifications in writing before starting any project:

Video format. MP4, MOV, or MKV — and the specific codec (H.264 is most common, some premium platforms require H.265/HEVC).

Audio format. AAC (compressed, for embedded delivery), WAV (uncompressed, for separate stem delivery), or platform-specific codec requirements.

Audio channel configuration. Mono (single channel), stereo (dual channel), or separate dialogue and M&E tracks delivered as individual files.

Subtitle format. SRT, VTT (WebVTT), or hardcoded burn-in. Character limits per line and maximum lines per frame vary by platform.

File naming convention. Every platform has a specific naming pattern. Getting this wrong causes automated ingestion failures even when the content itself is perfect.

Delivery method. Cloud upload portal, FTP/SFTP, API-based ingestion, or physical hard drive (rare for micro dramas, still used for some theatrical content).

Loudness standard. Target integrated loudness in LUFS, true peak ceiling in dBTP, and any dynamic range requirements.

Get all of this in a written specification document from the platform before adaptation begins. Do not rely on verbal confirmation — specifications change, and you need a reference document to resolve disputes.

Indian Micro Drama Platforms

KukuTV

KukuTV has established itself as India’s leading micro drama platform with over 5 million paying subscribers and consistently high average revenue per user. The platform’s success is built on localized content — they understood early that Hindi alone is not enough and have expanded aggressively into regional languages.

Monetization model. Coin-based pay-per-episode. Viewers purchase virtual coins and spend them to unlock episodes. This model means every dubbed episode must be compelling enough to trigger the next unlock — dubbing quality has a direct, measurable impact on revenue.

Dubbing quality requirement. KukuTV requires lip-sync dubbing for all content. The platform’s internal data shows that lip-sync dubbing drives 15 to 20 percent higher episode completion rates compared to time-sync voice-over. On a coin-based platform, that completion rate difference translates directly into per-episode revenue.

Language priorities. Hindi is the primary language. Tamil and Telugu are Tier 1 regional languages — the platform reports comparable per-viewer engagement metrics for Tamil content as for Hindi. Bengali has been added for select high-performing titles. Marathi, Kannada, and Malayalam are in expansion for titles that demonstrate strong performance in Hindi.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: WAV, 48 kHz, 24-bit
• Configuration: Separate dialogue-only track (no M&E embedded)
• KukuTV handles M&E mixing and final video muxing internally
• Loudness: -24 LUFS integrated, -2 dBTP true peak on dialogue track

Subtitle delivery.

• Format: SRT
• Maximum 2 lines per frame
• Maximum 42 characters per line (including spaces)
• Subtitles serve as accessibility supplement, not primary localization — dubbing is the primary delivery

Turnaround expectation. 7 to 10 business days for a 50-episode batch in one language. KukuTV operates on weekly content release cycles, so dubbing partners must align delivery with the platform’s release calendar.

QC process. KukuTV performs its own QC after studio delivery. They sample-check three to five episodes per batch for sync accuracy, emotional performance quality, and technical compliance. Rejection triggers a full batch hold until issues are resolved and re-delivered.

QuickTV (by ShareChat / Moj)

QuickTV is ShareChat’s dedicated micro drama platform, born from the company’s experience running Moj — a short-video app with over 200 million users. QuickTV differentiates itself through a hybrid content model and strong distribution through ShareChat’s existing user base.

Monetization model. Hybrid — some content is free with advertising, while premium titles use per-episode coin unlocks. This dual model means dubbing priorities differ by content tier. Premium titles receive full lip-sync dubbing investment. Ad-supported catalog content may use more cost-effective time-sync voice-over.

Dubbing quality requirement. For premium coin-unlock content: lip-sync dubbing required. For ad-supported free content: time-sync voice-over is acceptable, allowing faster turnaround and lower per-episode costs. The platform communicates which tier each title falls into during the content briefing.

Language priorities. Hindi and South Indian regional languages — Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam — are the primary targets. QuickTV’s parent company ShareChat has particularly strong user penetration in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where regional language preference is strongest. This makes regional dubbing a strategic priority, not an afterthought.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: MP4 with embedded dubbed audio track (AAC 256 kbps or higher)
• Configuration: Stereo mixed (dialogue plus M&E combined)
• The platform prefers receiving the final muxed video file rather than separate audio stems
• Loudness: -24 LUFS integrated

Subtitle delivery.

• Format: VTT (WebVTT)
• Maximum 2 lines, 40 characters per line
• Subtitle timing must match dubbed audio, not original audio

Turnaround expectation. 5 to 7 business days for ad-supported content (time-sync). 10 to 12 business days for premium content (lip-sync). QuickTV values speed for its ad-supported catalog — they prefer fast delivery of acceptable quality over slow delivery of perfect quality for free-tier content.

FlickTV

FlickTV positions itself as the premium tier of India’s micro drama market — closer to a traditional OTT experience compressed into short-form episodes. The platform raised over $2 million in venture funding to build what it calls a “micro drama OTT” with discovery features, recommendation algorithms, and subscription options alongside per-episode purchasing.

Monetization model. Subscription-based with free trial episodes. Some premium titles also offer per-episode unlocks. The subscription model means FlickTV competes on library quality rather than individual title hooks — every piece of content reflects on the brand.

Dubbing quality requirement. Premium lip-sync dubbing is required for all content, no exceptions. FlickTV’s quality bar is noticeably higher than coin-based platforms. They require dubbing director notes and character voice profiles as part of the delivery package. The platform also requests a brief dubbing approach document for each series explaining adaptation choices, casting rationale, and any creative departures from the source material.

Language priorities. Hindi and English (for urban and metro audiences) are the primary targets. Tamil and Telugu are added selectively for titles that demonstrate strong Hindi performance. FlickTV takes a data-driven approach to regional expansion — they analyze viewer demographics and engagement metrics before commissioning regional dubs.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: Separate WAV dialogue tracks at 48 kHz, 24-bit PLUS a reference mixed version (dialogue plus M&E) for QC purposes
• Configuration: Dialogue-only stems plus mixed reference
• Loudness: -24 LUFS on mixed reference, dialogue stem normalized to -18 LUFS for mixing headroom
• FlickTV’s internal audio team creates the final mix using the studio’s dialogue stems

Additional delivery requirements.

• Character voice profiles (written document describing each dubbed character’s vocal qualities)
• Dubbing director session notes (any performance observations, creative decisions, or adaptation rationale)
• Adaptation comparison document for the first 3 episodes (showing original translation alongside final adapted dialogue)

Turnaround expectation. 12 to 15 business days for a 50-episode batch. FlickTV prioritizes quality over speed and builds longer lead times into their content calendar to accommodate thorough dubbing and QC.

ReelSaga

ReelSaga targets the mobile-first, price-sensitive Indian audience with a mix of original Indian micro dramas and localized international content, primarily sourced from Chinese production houses.

Monetization model. Coin-based unlock system modeled after ReelShort’s global approach. Performance marketing through Instagram and Facebook drives user acquisition — ad creatives feature the most dramatic moments from episodes.

Dubbing quality requirement. Time-sync dubbing is acceptable for most catalog content. Lip-sync dubbing is reserved for “hero” titles — the 20 percent of content that receives heavy marketing spend and is expected to drive the majority of new user acquisition. The platform clearly designates hero vs. catalog tiers in its content briefs.

Language priorities. Hindi as the base language for all content. Tamil and Telugu are being tested with select hero titles. ReelSaga monitors regional performance data before committing to full multi-language rollouts — they prefer to invest dubbing budget deeply in Hindi rather than spreading thinly across many languages.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: Final muxed MP4 files with embedded audio (AAC 320 kbps)
• Configuration: Stereo mixed
• Loudness: -23 LUFS integrated
• ReelSaga does not handle audio mixing internally — the dubbing studio delivers ready-to-publish files

Subtitle delivery.

• Format: SRT
• Maximum 2 lines, 38 characters per line
• Required for all content regardless of dubbing tier

International Micro Drama Platforms

ReelShort

ReelShort is among the largest global micro drama platforms, with tens of millions of monthly active users, primarily in the US market. Indian dubbing studios serve ReelShort when they need content localized for Indian audiences or when Indian-produced content is being prepared for the US, Latin American, or Southeast Asian markets.

Monetization model. Freemium with coin-based unlocks. Heavy performance marketing investment — ReelShort is one of the largest advertisers on Facebook and Instagram in the entertainment category.

Dubbing quality requirement. Lip-sync dubbing is the standard for all localized content, with no exceptions. ReelShort maintains strict quality benchmarks and has been known to reject entire batches when emotional performance quality falls below their standards. They evaluate not just technical accuracy but whether the dubbed cliffhanger endings are as compelling as the original.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: WAV 48 kHz, 24-bit for all stems
• Configuration: Separate stereo dialogue track PLUS separate stereo M&E track
• Final mixed delivery: AAC 320 kbps for platform ingestion
• Loudness: -24 LUFS integrated, -2 dBTP true peak
• Metadata file required for each episode (JSON or XML format depending on delivery API version)

Subtitle delivery.

• Format: SRT with strict timing compliance
• Maximum 2 lines, 42 characters per line
• Must include forced narrative subtitles for any on-screen text (signs, phone messages, written notes)

File naming convention. [SeriesCode]EP[XX][LangCode]_DUB.[ext] — for example, RS2847_EP05_HIN_DUB.wav

Delivery method. Cloud upload through ReelShort’s partner content portal with automated technical validation. The portal runs loudness, format, and sync checks on upload — non-compliant files are rejected before human review.

QC process. ReelShort samples three to five episodes from each delivered batch. A sample failure triggers a full batch hold. The platform provides detailed rejection reports with timestamps identifying specific issues — sync drift at 0:47, emotional flat at 1:12, level spike at 0:33. This specificity is helpful for studios but means QC must be rigorous before delivery.

DramaBox

DramaBox is one of the most commercially successful micro drama platforms globally, with over 90 million registered users across 200-plus countries and reported revenue of $323 million in 2024.

Monetization model. Hybrid subscription and coin-based purchasing. DramaBox is one of the few micro drama platforms that has achieved profitability, which means they invest in content quality — including dubbing — as a competitive differentiator.

Dubbing quality requirement. Premium lip-sync dubbing for all Tier 1 markets (United States, United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Indonesia). Time-sync voice-over is acceptable for Tier 2 markets where the platform is still testing audience demand. DramaBox provides detailed dubbing guidelines including a quality scorecard that studios must meet.

Audio delivery specification.

• Format: AAC 320 kbps embedded in MP4, OR separate WAV stems (platform accepts both)
• Configuration: Stereo mixed (dialogue plus M&E)
• Loudness: -23 LUFS integrated, -1.5 dBTP true peak
• DramaBox’s ingestion system is more flexible than ReelShort’s — it accepts multiple delivery configurations

Subtitle delivery.

• Format: VTT with limited styling support (bold, italic for emphasis)
• Character limits per platform guidelines document (varies by language — CJK languages allow fewer characters per line than Latin-script languages)

Delivery method. API-based ingestion through DramaBox’s content management system. Studios receive API credentials and upload directly. The system runs automated technical QC and returns a compliance report within 30 minutes.QC process. DramaBox provides a detailed quality scorecard for each delivery, rating performance on: sync accuracy (scored 1 to 5), emotional performance quality (1 to 5), adaptation naturalness (1 to 5), technical audio quality (1 to 5), and delivery compliance (pass/fail). The platform requires a minimum average score of 3.5 across quality dimensions. Scores below 3.0 on any single dimension trigger rejection.

ShortMax, FlexTV, GoodShort, TopShort, and Emerging Platforms

Newer international micro drama platforms are launching rapidly. Many are backed by Chinese technology companies expanding their micro drama business models globally. These platforms generally follow similar technical patterns to ReelShort and DramaBox but may have less formalized dubbing guidelines.

When working with any newer or unfamiliar platform, follow this protocol:

Request a written technical specification document before beginning any work. If the platform does not have one, ask for sample approved deliveries that you can reverse-engineer for specifications.

Deliver a three-episode technical sample before committing to full batch production. This catches specification mismatches before they affect 50-plus episodes.

Confirm file naming conventions explicitly. Automated ingestion systems are unforgiving — a single misplaced underscore or wrong language code in a filename causes rejection.

Establish QC criteria and rejection protocols in writing. Define what constitutes a rejection, how rejections are communicated, what information is provided in rejection reports, and the timeline for re-delivery.Confirm payment terms tied to delivery acceptance. Ensure your contract specifies that payment is triggered by delivery acceptance, and define what happens if the platform delays acceptance review.

Cross-Platform Delivery Optimization

Studios that serve multiple micro drama platforms simultaneously can optimize their workflow by recording and producing at the highest common standard, then exporting platform-specific deliverables from a single master.

Record at the highest common quality. WAV 48 kHz, 24-bit is universally accepted. Never record at a lower quality than any platform requires — you cannot up-sample quality, only down-convert.

Create a master mix at the strictest loudness target. If your platforms target -23 LUFS and -24 LUFS respectively, mix to -24 LUFS. A mix that meets the stricter standard automatically meets the more lenient one.

Build platform-specific export templates. In your DAW (Pro Tools, Reaper, Audition), create export presets for each platform — format, codec, loudness, channel configuration, and file naming. Run each export from the same master session. This eliminates re-mixing for each platform.

Automate file naming. A simple script that takes your master file names and converts them to each platform’s naming convention saves hours on large batch deliveries and eliminates manual naming errors.Maintain a platform specification changelog. Platforms update their requirements periodically. Assign one team member to monitor specification changes for every platform you serve. When a spec changes, update the corresponding export template immediately.

Sukudo Studios maintains current technical specifications for all major micro drama platforms — Indian and international — and updates our delivery templates as specifications evolve. Our operations team handles multi-platform delivery optimization so you receive publish-ready files for every platform from a single dubbing production. Start your platform-specific dubbing project.

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Frequently Asked Questions