The news: Disney plans to introduce a vertical video feed inside Disney+ in the next year, expanding short-form viewing across entertainment, news, and sports, per its CES announcement.
- The effort builds on ESPN’s earlier launch of vertical “verts,” signaling that mobile-first video is becoming a standardized format across Disney’s portfolio rather than a side feature.
- Executives said the feed is designed to drive habitual, daily engagement, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, by delivering snackable content that updates in real time based on viewing behavior.
- Disney emphasized that vertical video will sit alongside long-form programming, creating frequent touchpoints that complement premium series and live events instead of merely promoting them.
- The company tied these tools to its broader OpenAI partnership and positioned AI as a way to scale immersive fandom rather than replace human creativity.
Why it matters: Given how the format aligns with mobile-first behavior and supports both branding and measurable outcomes, vertical video has become a mainstream priority for advertisers.