Disney+ is preparing to enter the short-form video arena.
During its Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026, Disney announced plans to roll out a TikTok-style vertical video feed later this year, a strategic move designed to better align the streaming service with the viewing habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences who favor mobile-first, short-form content over traditional long-form viewing.
The new feature will introduce full-screen, portrait-oriented videos optimized for smartphones, offering users a personalized, continuously refreshed feed. Disney executives say the goal is to turn Disney+ into a platform users open daily — not just when a new series drops or a movie premieres.
“This is what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are expecting,” Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, said during the presentation. “They’re not necessarily thinking about sitting down and watching a two-and-a-half-hour piece of content on their phones.”
According to Teague, Disney plans to explore a mix of original short-form content, edited highlights from existing films and series, and repurposed clips already resonating on social platforms. The company emphasized that the experience will feel native to Disney+, rather than a standalone add-on, and will evolve over time based on user behavior.
While the vertical videos will naturally serve as a discovery tool for longer titles, Disney says the feed is intended to stand on its own as entertainment — not simply promotional material. Personalization will play a central role, with content recommendations updating in real time based on a subscriber’s viewing history and recent activity.
The move places Disney+ more squarely in competition with platforms that have already embraced short-form video. Netflix introduced its own vertical feed in 2025, primarily spotlighting clips from its original programming, while Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max has tested similar features. Within Disney’s own ecosystem, ESPN launched its vertical “Verts” feed last year, focusing on highlights and viral moments — an experiment executives have pointed to as a success in building daily engagement.
Industry analysts view the shift as part of a broader recalibration across streaming, as services prioritize frequency of use over marathon viewing sessions. Short-form video is projected to generate roughly $59 billion globally in 2026, with continued rapid growth expected over the next decade.
For Disney+, the introduction of vertical video could help drive daily active usage, improve subscriber retention among younger viewers, and expand advertising opportunities on ad-supported tiers. Still, reactions online have been mixed, with some subscribers expressing concern that the platform could drift toward a social-media-style experience at the expense of premium long-form storytelling.
Disney has not yet announced an exact launch date or shared interface previews, but the feature is expected to debut in the U.S. later in 2026, with additional details to be released in the months ahead.
