Disney+ debuts vertical feed that recommends what to watch
The videos, called "Verts," are designed to encourage you to watch something new.
Disney is experimenting with a new way for viewers to stumble upon their next watch. The company has introduced Verts, a vertical video feature on Disney+ that brings swipeable clips to the streaming platform. Designed for mobile viewing, the feed pulls short scenes and memorable moments from Disney’s catalog. It presents them in a format familiar to anyone who spends time on TikTok or other short-video apps.
The launch marks the first step in a broader effort to rethink how audiences discover content on Disney+. Disney internally described Verts as “the first scene of a multi-season series,” a phrase that suggests the launch is just the opening act of a much larger plan.
Verts is currently available to U.S. subscribers via a new icon in the Disney+ mobile navigation bar. Tap it, and a stream of vertical clips will begin playing. Users can swipe through highlights of movies or series, add titles directly to their watchlist, or jump to the full app if something catches their eye.
The idea reflects how people already spend their time online. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels have made vertical channels a daily habit for many viewers, especially younger audiences. By providing a similar experience on Disney+, the platform hopes to shorten the distance between discovering a story and pressing the play button.
Disney also appears to be taking things a step further. The company is reportedly looking into ways to feature creator-created content on its Verts platform. The concept could include short videos created by digital creators whose work engages with Disney’s fan communities. If the concept moves forward, the channel could eventually feature experimental storytelling formats and fan-focused clips interspersed with scenes from Disney’s own productions.
It’s unclear whether Verts will become a core part of Disney+. For now, Disney is viewing it as an introductory chapter in a larger effort to make finding stories on the platform faster, more visual, and perhaps a little harder to stop scrolling.
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Image courtesy of Disney.
