Disney+ has officially begun rolling out “Verts,” a new TikTok-style vertical video feed, to mobile users across the United States. First teased in January, this feature delivers bite-sized clips and iconic moments from the platform’s extensive library of movies and TV shows directly to the app’s interface.
A New Way to Binge-Watch
Mirroring the addictive nature of TikTok and Instagram Reels, Verts is engineered to boost daily user engagement and capture the attention of mobile-first audiences. By integrating a dedicated icon into the app’s navigation bar, Disney+ makes it seamless for users to swipe through content, add intriguing titles to their watchlists, or jump straight into the full-length feature.
“With the latest streaming hits and an incredible catalog spanning more than 100 years of storytelling, we’re making it easier for fans to discover what to watch next,” the company noted in a blog post. “Verts offers a fun, fast way to explore that catalog right from the moment users open the app. It brings the magic of Disney’s storytelling into a format that feels modern, engaging, and tailor-made for how fans already enjoy discovering video on mobile devices.”
Future Roadmap and Algorithmic Power
While the current iteration focuses on Disney+ library clips, the company plans to expand the scope significantly. Future updates will incorporate content from creators that align with specific fandoms, alongside diverse storytelling formats and personalized experiences.
Disney’s confidence in Verts stems from successful August testing across Disney+ and ESPN, which demonstrated a clear spike in user engagement. This success is largely credited to an “advanced algorithm” that powers the feed’s recommendations. By investing heavily in this technology, Disney is directly challenging the dominance of platforms like TikTok, which have long thrived on highly effective, data-driven recommendation engines.
The Streaming Wars Pivot to Short-Form
Disney+ is not the first major player to experiment with this format; Netflix introduced a similar vertical feed last year to showcase clips from its original programming. This strategic shift reflects a broader industry trend: streaming giants are aggressively targeting younger demographics who prefer the rapid-fire consumption of short-form mobile video. The goal is simple: use these quick clips as a gateway to hook viewers and convert them into long-form content subscribers.
