TL;DR
Disney told advertisers at CES that it will add a TikTok-like vertical video feed to Disney Plus later this year. The feed is expected to combine new short-form originals, repurposed social clips and edited scenes from longer titles, and Disney says it will personalize the stream across sports, news and entertainment.
What happened
At CES, Disney used its Global Tech & Data Showcase for advertisers to reveal that Disney Plus will receive a vertical, mobile-friendly video feed before the end of the year. Erin Teague, Disney’s EVP of product management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, described a single hub for short-form Disney content that could mix newly produced shorts, clips lifted from social platforms and reformatted scenes from episodic or feature-length catalog items. The company framed the experience as dynamic and personalized, saying the feed will cover categories such as sports, news and entertainment and be refreshed in real time based on a user’s last visit. The announcement follows a similar move last year when Disney added a vertical "Verts" tab to an updated ESPN app, and comes as other streamers, including Netflix, test vertical-clip feeds.
Why it matters
- Short-form vertical formats dominate mobile consumption; adding a dedicated feed could change how Disney surfaces content to subscribers.
- The announcement was made to advertisers, signaling potential interest in new ad placements or formats tied to short clips.
- Bringing sports, news and entertainment into a unified short-form experience could boost cross-content discovery on Disney Plus.
- Competitive context: other streamers have begun experimenting with vertical feeds, suggesting an industry shift toward snackable clips.
Key facts
- Disney announced the vertical feed as part of its Global Tech & Data Showcase at CES.
- Erin Teague, EVP of product management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, discussed the plan in an interview reported by Deadline.
- The feed is slated to arrive "later this year" — Disney did not provide a specific launch date.
- Planned content types include original short-form programming, repurposed social clips and refashioned scenes from longer episodic or feature titles.
- Disney described the feed as personalized and refreshed in real time based on a user’s last visit.
- Last year Disney added a vertical video tab called "Verts" to its redesigned ESPN app.
- Netflix has also tested a vertical-clip feed, indicating other streaming services are experimenting with the format.
- The announcement was presented in the context of an advertiser-focused event; details about monetization were not provided.
What to watch next
- Exact launch timing and which markets or platforms will get the vertical feed first — not confirmed in the source
- Whether the vertical feed will include new ad formats or specific advertising integrations, given the advertiser-focused announcement — not confirmed in the source
- How Disney will implement personalization and real-time refresh across Sports, News and Entertainment (Disney described this behavior during the announcement)
Quick glossary
- Vertical video: A video format filmed and presented in portrait orientation, optimized for mobile viewing and full-screen playback on smartphones.
- Short-form programming: Video content that is significantly shorter than traditional TV episodes or films, often ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes.
- Repurposed clips: Existing footage or highlights edited or reformatted for a new use or platform, such as social posts or short playlists.
- Personalized feed: A content stream tailored to an individual user’s preferences and behavior, often ordered or refreshed based on recent activity.
Reader FAQ
When will Disney Plus launch the vertical video feed?
Disney says it will arrive "later this year," but no specific date was provided.
What kinds of video will the feed include?
Disney indicated it could combine original short-form shows, repurposed social clips and edited scenes from longer titles.
Will the new feed be personalized?
Yes. Disney said the experience will be personalized and refreshed in real time based on a user’s last visit.
Will this feature include advertising or new ad formats?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is this approach new for Disney?
Disney previously added a vertical "Verts" tab to its ESPN app last year; the company is extending vertical-format experimentation to Disney Plus.
TECH ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Disney Plus is getting vertical video A TikTok-like vertical video feed is coming to the service later this year. by Jay Peters Jan 8, 2026, 12:51 AM…
Sources
- Disney Plus is getting vertical video
- Disney+ Plans New Features for "AI Native Generation"
- Disney+ Is Introducing Its Most Controversial Feature Yet in …
- What surprised us the most at CES 2026
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