Disney+ officially launched “Verts,” its new vertical, short-form video feed designed to capitalize on the “TikTok-style” scrolling habit to drive content discovery.
The feature, which was first teased at CES 2026 in January, is currently rolling out to mobile app users in the United States, with a global expansion planned for later this year.
How “Verts” Works
The feature acts as a “digital rabbit hole” to help users bypass traditional menu fatigue.
- Navigation: A new Verts icon has been added to the bottom navigation bar of the Disney+ mobile app.
- Content: The feed features full-screen, 9:16 clips and trailers cut from Disney’s 100-year library, including Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic.
- Seamless Transition: Every clip includes two prominent action buttons:
- Add to Watchlist: Saves the title for later.
- Watch Now: Instantly jumps into the full-length movie or episode at the exact scene shown in the clip.
- Algorithm-Driven: The feed is powered by an “advanced recommendation engine” that tailors clips based on your specific viewing history—for example, reality TV fans may see clips from The Kardashians or music documentaries, while action fans get MCU set-pieces.
Strategic Evolution: From Clips to “Micro-Dramas”
While the current version of Verts primarily features repurposed clips, Disney has signaled a much more ambitious roadmap.
| Phase | Content Type | Status / Goal |
| Phase 1 (Current) | Library Highlights | Using 100+ years of content to solve the “what to watch” problem. |
| Phase 2 (Upcoming) | Original Verts | Disney recently launched its first native vertical series, “Locker Diaries”. |
| Phase 3 (Future) | AI & Fandom | Leveraging the OpenAI / Sora partnership to allow fans to generate and share brand-safe clips featuring characters like Mickey Mouse or Spider-Man. |
The “TikTokification” of Streaming
Disney+ joins a growing list of premium streamers adopting social media mechanics to combat high churn rates (currently hovering around 6% in the U.S.).
- The ESPN Proving Ground: Disney successfully tested the “Verts” brand on the ESPN app last year, where it reportedly drove a significant increase in “time-spent” among Gen Z and Gen Alpha users.
- The Competition: Netflix recently updated its own vertical “Moments” feed, and Peacock and Fox One have also integrated short-form discovery rails to keep users from leaving the app when they finish a show.
“This is what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are expecting… a feed that finds you instead of making you go looking.”
— Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management, Disney Entertainment & ESPN.
