Disney has added a new feature to Disney+ called Verts, which gives users a vertical, swipeable method of exploring movies and TV shows in the form of short video clips.
The feature was officially launched on March 12th by the platform, which aims to enhance the discovery of content and access among the mobile-first audiences.
According to the company, Verts displays content in an interactive feed where users can scroll through the scenes and highlights from different movies and series available on Disney+.
The purpose behind the feature is to make the process of browsing faster and more interesting by giving viewers the ability to find what they want to watch by watching shorter previews.
The new feature is displayed on the Disney+ mobile app as an icon on the navigation bar. Once opened, users are able to scroll through vertical swipes of short clips taken from films and shows on the platform.
After scrolling through the feed viewers can add a title to their Watchlist quickly or start watching something immediately.
The swipe-based design is not unlike the format made popular by TikTok, and represents the rise of short-form video in the discovery of entertainment.
Disney said early testing of Verts in August increased Disney+ and ESPN engagement from users.
The company credited this improvement to its “advanced algorithm,” which runs behind the feature, enabling the recommendation engine.
The system then analyses user preferences and viewing habits and offers personalised clips to each user.
The move is similar to a feature that Netflix launched last year and gave users access to a vertical feed scrolling through short clips of content from Netflix’s original titles.
Both streaming services seem to be aiming at the younger audience who are mobile-based and consume short clips of content.
Verts is just the first stage of Disney’s vertical video strategy, Disney said. In the future, the feature could expand so that it also incorporates content from creators in the Disney fan communities, in addition to new storytelling formats and more personalised experiences.
The company said Verts is aimed at making it easier to discover content, while presenting its catalogue in a modern, mobile-friendly format.
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