2026-01-08 14:05:48
Disney+ is preparing to introduce vertical video to its US platform later this year.
Announced during Disney’s Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the aim is to give users more reasons to open the app on a daily basis.
The company has already tested the format through Verts, a vertical‑video feature launched on the ESPN app in August 2025. That trial gave Disney a clearer picture of how audiences interact with mobile‑first video and helped shape its next steps for Disney+.
Speaking to Deadline, Erin Teague, Disney Entertainment’s EVP of Product Management, said the format will be used across a wide range of content. Disney+ isn’t limiting vertical video to trailers or promotional clips — the streamer is also planning original short‑form programming designed specifically for the format. While Teague didn’t reveal what those projects will look like, the surge in vertical micro‑dramas over the past year suggests the platform is eyeing that growing trend.
Teague explained that the goal is to make vertical viewing feel natural within the app, saying: “We’re obviously thinking about integrating vertical video in ways that are native to core user behaviors. So, it won’t be a kind of a disjointed, random experience.”
The move is aimed squarely at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are far more likely to consume quick, mobile‑friendly clips than sit through long‑form episodes on their phones. Disney says the new experience will evolve as it expands into news and entertainment, with personalised recommendations designed to make Disney+ “a must‑visit daily destination.”
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