In an effort to improve regular user engagement, Disney+ will be adding mobile-focused vertical content later in 2026.

As shared in a report from Deadline, Disney+ announced that it will introduce vertical videos on the platform later this year as part of a broader effort to boost daily engagement among users.

The company is positioning this feature much like social media-style short-form video feeds, acknowledging that audiences increasingly consume content in mobile-friendly, vertical formats.

According to the announcement, Disney+ aims to make the experience more dynamic and interactive to keep subscribers returning to the service on a daily basis rather than just for long-form movies and series. Disney executives emphasized that enhancing engagement metrics is a priority in the face of evolving viewer behavior.

The rollout of vertical videos reflects a strategic shift for Disney+ as it competes with other platforms for user attention and advertising dollars. The article quoted Disney leadership on the importance of this format in driving habitual use. Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, said:

“Everything’s on the table … We’re obviously thinking about integrating vertical video in ways that are native to core user behaviors. So, it won’t be a kind of a disjointed, random experience … the most important thing is to meet people where they are. … This is what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are expecting. They are not necessarily thinking about sitting down, watching a long form, two-and-a-half hour piece of content on their phones.”

While the specifics of the forthcoming shorts/vertical content are still up in the air, Teague did mention that “everything is on the table” in terms of how they will integrate the newer format with their existing content library.

Full details on the report from Deadline can be found in the original article, as well as additional information on the announcement shared via Variety.

What are your thoughts on Disney+ introducing short-form content to the platform? Are you excited, ambivalent, or maybe concerned? Let us know what you think in the comments below and on social media.

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