Disney+ plans TikTok-style short video feed to boost daily viewer engagement
As part of the licensing deal, Sora and ChatGPT Images will start generating videos using licensed Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Mufasa. PHOTO: REUTERS
Disney+ is preparing to roll out a TikTok-style short-form video feed in the United States later this year, signaling a shift in how the streaming service wants audiences to interact with its platform.
The update was announced during Disney’s Tech + Data Showcase at CES 2026 and reflects the company’s broader effort to increase daily engagement and appeal to scrolling-first viewers.
The new feature will introduce a dedicated feed of short videos that includes original clips, curated social-style content, and brief highlights pulled from Disney’s movies and television shows. According to Disney, the experience is designed to feel intuitive for mobile users, allowing viewers to discover content through vertical scrolling rather than traditional browsing menus.
Erin Teague, executive vice president of product management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, said the goal is to make discovery feel natural to how audiences already consume content on their phones. Instead of deciding what to watch upfront, users can casually scroll through short clips that surface shows, franchises, and moments aligned with their interests.
Disney has previously tested similar functionality within its ESPN app. In 2025, ESPN introduced personalized short-form feeds focused on sports highlights and real-time updates. The apparent success of that experiment helped inform the expansion of short-form video into Disney’s main entertainment platform.
The move comes as streaming services compete more directly with social media platforms for user attention. Younger audiences, in particular, tend to favor fast, snackable content before committing to full-length episodes or films. Short-form feeds lower the barrier to entry by emphasizing passive discovery over deliberate choice.
Disney+ follows a growing industry trend. Netflix introduced a vertical discovery feed last year featuring clips from its original programming. Disney aims to differentiate its approach through deeper personalization and a mix of entertainment highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and franchise updates.
If successful, the feature could transform Disney+ from an app opened primarily for new releases into one users check daily, blurring the line between streaming platforms and social media-style content feeds.