Disney+ to Launch Short-Form Vertical Videos in 2026

to its platform this year to increase daily engagement and reach younger audiences.
TAGS: Disney+, Streaming, Tech, Vertical Video, CES 2026
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Disney+ is set to introduce short-form video content to its platform later this year, marking a strategic shift to capture the habits of younger viewers who favor quick, snackable clips over traditional long-form programming. The announcement was made during the company’s Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026.

The official update aims to transform the streaming service into a daily habit for subscribers. By integrating a more dynamic and personalized interface, Disney hopes to keep users returning to the app more frequently.

Integrating Vertical Content

According to details shared with Deadline, the feed will likely feature a mix of content types, including:

• Original short-form productions
• Repurposed clips from social media campaigns
• Highlights and specific scenes from the service’s library of movies and TV shows

Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, emphasized that the implementation will feel natural to the platform. “We’re obviously thinking about integrating vertical video in ways that are native to core user behaviors,” Teague noted. “So, it won’t be a kind of a disjointed, random experience.”

Building on Past Success

This initiative follows Disney’s successful launch of a personalized vertical video feed within the ESPN app last year. The expansion into Disney+ suggests a broader corporate strategy to unify user experience across its digital ecosystem.

Disney+ is not the first major streaming player to adopt this format. Netflix began testing a similar vertical feed last year, allowing subscribers to scroll through clips of its original content. With this move, Disney aims to compete directly for the attention of demographics currently dominated by platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.