Disney+ has begun rolling out a new TikTok-style feature called “Verts,” a vertical short-form video feed designed to help users discover content from the platform’s vast catalog through quick, swipeable clips optimized for mobile viewing. The feature presents short highlights and scenes from movies and television series—including titles from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars—and allows users to swipe through previews, add shows to their watchlist, or jump directly into full episodes and films. The initiative reflects a broader shift in the streaming industry toward short-form, mobile-first content consumption, mirroring the influence of platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Disney executives say the goal is to increase daily engagement with the app and make the service a habitual destination for viewers, particularly younger audiences accustomed to algorithm-driven video feeds. The company has previously experimented with the vertical format in its ESPN app and now intends to expand the concept to entertainment programming within Disney+, potentially incorporating original short-form productions, curated highlights, and repurposed clips from longer content.
Sources
https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/12/disney-is-rolling-out-its-tiktok-like-verts-short-form-video-feed/
https://www.androidcentral.com/streaming-tv/disney-plus/verts-on-disney-plus-want-you-swiping-all-day-to-find-the-next-big-thing-to-watch
https://deadline.com/2026/01/disney-plus-vertical-videos-ces-1236665836/
https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/news/disney-plus-vertical-video-feed-launch-erin-teague-report-10716559
Key Takeaways
- Disney+ has launched a vertical short-form video feed called “Verts” that lets users swipe through quick clips from movies and shows to discover new content.
- The feature mirrors the design and algorithmic discovery model popularized by TikTok and other short-form video platforms, signaling how streaming services are adapting to mobile-first viewing habits.
- Disney aims to increase daily engagement with its streaming app by turning Disney+ into a frequent browsing destination rather than a service users open only when searching for a specific show or movie.
In-Depth
The streaming industry is entering a new phase of competition, one driven not only by blockbuster content and subscriber counts but by how effectively platforms capture the everyday attention of viewers. Disney’s rollout of the “Verts” feature on Disney+ represents a clear acknowledgment that the future of digital media consumption increasingly revolves around short-form, algorithm-driven video experiences. Rather than relying solely on traditional menus and long-form browsing, Disney is now embracing the swipe-based discovery model that has come to dominate modern mobile entertainment.
Verts functions as a vertical video feed embedded directly within the Disney+ mobile app. Users can scroll through brief clips drawn from the company’s expansive library of content. These snippets might include memorable scenes, action moments, comedic highlights, or dramatic teasers designed to spark curiosity. If a viewer finds something appealing, they can immediately jump to the full episode or film or add the title to a watchlist for later viewing. This frictionless transition from preview to full-length content is central to Disney’s strategy.
The move reflects the undeniable influence of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, which have reshaped how audiences—particularly younger viewers—consume video. Rather than committing to hour-long programs upfront, many users now prefer sampling bite-sized content first. Streaming companies have begun recognizing that the battle for attention starts with discovery, not just distribution.
Disney’s leadership has been open about the goal behind the initiative: to make Disney+ a daily destination. Historically, streaming services functioned more like digital libraries that users visited when they wanted to watch something specific. But the short-form model encourages habitual browsing. A user might open the app simply to scroll through clips, just as millions do on social platforms every day. If the feed works as intended, those casual interactions could translate into more time spent on the platform and, ultimately, more engagement with full-length programming.
Importantly, the company is not entering this arena blindly. Disney previously introduced the Verts concept within its ESPN app, where vertical sports highlights and commentary clips proved effective at delivering quick updates to fans. That experiment provided valuable insight into how viewers interact with vertically formatted content. The expansion of the concept into Disney+ suggests that executives see the format as more than a novelty; they view it as a structural shift in how streaming platforms may operate.
Another element of the strategy involves content variety. The vertical feed will not rely solely on recycled clips from existing programs. Disney has indicated that the feature could eventually include original short-form productions as well as curated social-style videos. This hybrid approach allows the company to maximize the value of its existing intellectual property while also experimenting with new storytelling formats designed specifically for mobile screens.
From a broader industry perspective, Disney’s move illustrates a larger trend sometimes described as the “TikTokification” of media platforms. Across the tech and entertainment landscape, companies are adapting their products to mimic the fast-paced, personalized video feeds that have proven extraordinarily effective at capturing user attention. The logic is straightforward: if audiences are spending hours scrolling through short clips elsewhere, streaming services want to replicate that behavior inside their own ecosystems.
For Disney, the stakes are particularly high. The company has invested billions of dollars building Disney+ into a flagship streaming platform capable of competing with established players. While subscriber growth and premium content remain crucial, maintaining engagement in an increasingly crowded digital environment has become just as important. Features like Verts represent an attempt to ensure that Disney+ remains not just a destination for movies and series but a constant presence in the everyday digital habits of viewers.
Whether the strategy succeeds remains to be seen, but the direction is unmistakable. Streaming services are evolving beyond traditional television models and moving closer to the dynamics of social media platforms. Disney’s vertical video feed is another signal that the lines between entertainment, social discovery, and mobile-first media are rapidly disappearing.