- Disney plans to create more short-form videos as part of the ‘microcontent’ trend
- The videos are expected to build on ESPN’s “Greens” which show sports highlights.
- Netflix is also testing a vertical video stream on mobile to drive more engagement.
Disney plans to move into short-form video content as part of a growing trend that is reshaping viewing habits.
Following the rollout of vertical videos on live TV apps like ESPN, Hulu + Live TV and ABC last year, the company announced during its “Tech & Data Showcase” event at CES 2026 that it plans to also introduce short-form videos on Disney+ sometime next year.
“We know mobile is an incredible opportunity to make Disney+ a true everyday destination for fans, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” said Erin Teague, Disney+ executive vice president of product management. “Think of all the short-form Disney content you want in one unified app.
“Over time, we will evolve these experiences by exploring apps for a variety of formats, categories and content types for a dynamic feed of what you care about, from sports to news to entertainment, refreshed in real time based on your last visit.
This implies that there are many different ways to use short-form videos on Disney+, from original programming to clips made up of scenes from movies and shows that can be shared on social media like Netflix’s “Moments” feature.
Teague confirmed this in an interview with Deadline, when she said “everything is on the table,” but quickly cautioned that it wouldn’t introduce anything new that would disrupt the core Disney+ app experience, saying, “It’s not going to be some sort of disjointed, random experience.”
Disney has already aired vertical videos on ESPN to recap game highlights and commentator analysis. On ABC News, he used the video format to launch the short-form daily show. What you need to know which summarizes headlines, stories and viral moments.
Even Netflix has been testing a new vertical video stream that plays clips from its original titles to entice users to watch a movie or show. CTO Elizabeth Stone hinted that this could be expanded to host “different types of content” at TechCrunch’s Disrupt 2025 conference last year.
While she didn’t explain what these “new types of content” might be, it’s clear that vertical videos are more than just a social media tool for top streaming services, as they tap into one of the fastest-growing phenomena in the entertainment space: microdramas.
What is the microcontent trend and how will it change streaming?
It’s no secret: the entertainment landscape is suffering from a serious case of déjà vu. A barrage of price hikes, advertisements, corporate mergers and on-air fights over sports rights have left streaming — once a bright spot that promised to disrupt the space — looking a lot like the days of cable TV.
This has given rise to subscription fatigue, which is unsurprising when you consider how much the average household now spends to keep up with their favorite movies and shows. Indeed, a Nationwide survey indicates that Brits spend up to £1,200/$1,600/AU$2,400 a year on subscription services.
This has pushed many viewers, especially younger ones, to invest in other forms of entertainment, like the best free streaming services, physical media and of course social media. So it makes sense that some smart business minds are bringing up the idea of finding a way to merge Netflix’s success with TikTok’s.
After all, the global microdrama industry is expected to generate $26 billion in annual revenue by 20230, according to a Media Partners study seen by Variety. Vertical mini-dramas have quickly become a phenomenon over the past four years, particularly in China. Known as duanju, these serialized microdramas based on web novels are said to be as addictive as the game.
But for anyone who doesn’t remember, this isn’t the first time original short-form programming has been attempted. Quibi was once an app for creating short films and shows that could be watched on the go. However, it didn’t last long before the streamer was shut down.
Does this mean that similar content made by Disney+ or Netflix will suffer a similar fate? I don’t think so. Not only because Quibi launched at a time when people were spending less time on their phones, but its marketing was terrible and its content left little to be desired.
Today, dedicated microdrama apps like DramaBox and ReelShort are seeing growth in subscribers, but they are still operating at a loss due to high customer acquisition costs. This would not be a problem for streaming services like Disney+ or Netflix, which already have a large number of subscribers.
Disney also has the added benefit of already having an extensive library of short films that could be repurposed for the vertical format. It’s clear he thinks it’s worth investing in microdramas, but whether those will continue to take off is up in the air.
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