The future of Disney+ may look remarkably different than it does today. The streaming giant is quietly exploring a radical shift in how we consume its content: vertical video.
Imagine iconic scenes from your favorite Disney films, reimagined for a phone screen, or entirely new short-form stories designed for quick, captivating viewing. Everything is being considered, according to Disney executives, from repurposed clips to original creations.
This isn’t a haphazard experiment. Disney intends to seamlessly integrate this new format, aligning it with how people naturally use their devices. The goal is to avoid a jarring experience and instead offer a fluid, intuitive way to enjoy Disney’s vast library.
The rise of vertical video has been meteoric. What began as a TikTok phenomenon quickly spread to Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, fundamentally changing how billions of people watch videos online.
Now, the streaming world is taking notice. YouTube already features “Shorts” on its TV app, and Netflix has been quietly testing vertical videos within its mobile app. Disney isn’t trailing behind; it launched “Verts” on ESPN’s app just months ago.
But Disney’s ambitions extend beyond simply offering previews. The company envisions vertical video as a key component in transforming Disney+ into a daily habit, a destination viewers return to not just for long-form entertainment, but for quick, engaging bursts of content.
The precise execution remains unclear, but the direction is set. Disney is betting that vertical video isn’t just a trend, but a fundamental shift in how stories are told and experienced.
