Disney is preparing to introduce vertical, short-form video feeds on Disney+, bringing TikTok-style doomscrolling to one of the world’s largest streaming platforms.
The move was revealed during Disney’s Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026, where company executives said the goal is to encourage users to open Disney+ daily, rather than only when new movies or series are released.
The feature will resemble the endless vertical feeds popularized by TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, signaling a shift in how Disney wants audiences to discover and consume content.
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Built on Earlier ESPN Experiments
This is not Disney’s first attempt at short vertical video. In 2025, the company tested a similar format called Verts inside the ESPN app, using vertically formatted clips to measure viewer engagement.
Disney executives said insights from that experiment helped shape the upcoming Disney+ feature, particularly around how vertical video can keep users browsing and watching for longer periods.
More Than Just Trailers and Promos
According to Disney executive Erin Teague, speaking to Deadline, the new vertical feed will go beyond trailers and promotional snippets.
Disney+ plans to include:
- Original short-form programming
- Curated clips from existing shows and films
- Potentially new storytelling formats
While specific formats have not yet been confirmed, the strategy leaves room for emerging trends such as micro-dramas, which have gained rapid popularity across social platforms over the past year.
Teague emphasized that Disney wants the experience to feel integrated and natural, rather than a separate or gimmicky feature inside the app.
Designed for Mobile-First, Younger Audiences
Disney says the shift reflects how audiences—especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha—already use their phones. Younger viewers are less likely to watch long-form content on small screens and are more accustomed to vertical, swipe-based discovery.
The vertical feed on Disney+ will be personalized and designed to evolve over time, spanning entertainment-focused clips as well as news-style content tied to Disney’s franchises.
The broader aim is to increase:
- Habitual app usage
- Content discovery
- Longer viewing sessions
- Subscriber retention
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Streaming Rivals Are Doing the Same
Disney+ is not alone in this shift. Netflix has also been testing a vertical video feed that surfaces clips from its shows and movies to guide users toward full-length content.
At the same time, Disney has increased its focus on artificial intelligence. The company recently confirmed that select AI-generated clips created using OpenAI’s Sora may appear on Disney+ in the future. However, Disney has not said whether AI-generated videos will be included in the new vertical feed.
As streaming platforms compete not just with each other but with social media for attention, Disney’s move highlights how traditional entertainment is adapting to short-form, algorithm-driven viewing habits.
