Disney Dives into Short-Form Video on Disney+
Following the surging popularity of TikTok and Instagram Reels, Disney has announced plans to introduce short-form video content on Disney+ in the United States later this year. The announcement was made during the Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, with the company saying the move aims to boost daily usage and user engagement. The report was first published by TechCrunch.
In a blog post, Disney said the new experience will be rolled out gradually and enhanced over time, incorporating both news and entertainment content to create a more personalized and dynamic environment for users. The goal, according to the company, is to position Disney+ as a platform users want to visit every day.
Disney noted that the short-form videos may include entirely new content, repurposed clips from social media, scenes from TV shows or films, or a combination of these elements.
Erin Teague, a senior executive in charge of product management at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, said the vertical video format will be integrated in a way that aligns with users’ natural viewing habits.
Disney had previously launched a vertical video feed on the ESPN app last year. With this new feature, Disney+ is primarily targeting younger audiences who are accustomed to consuming short, mobile-friendly video content.
Notably, Netflix also introduced a similar vertical video feed last year, highlighting a broader industry shift toward short-form video experiences on streaming platforms.
DBTech/BMT/OR
