Subscription video platforms are undergoing a transformation, with a clear trend towards the creation of microseries and content in vertical format. The latter, popularized by social networks like TikTok and Instagram, is being adopted by major OTT (Over The Top) services as part of their strategy to attract and retain user attention.
Vertical Fever
Disney+ has been the latest to announce its commitment to this format. During a presentation at CES in Las Vegas, the company confirmed that it will launch a section for vertical videos later this year, with the intention of making the platform a daily destination for its subscribers. Erin Teague, EVP of product at Disney, emphasized that these videos are designed to fit into users’ daily habits: “they are snackable experiences, short and bite-sized”. The idea is not just to offer teasers of their longer content, but to integrate these clips and original microseries organically within the platform.
For its part, Netflix has also begun to explore the world of vertical videos, albeit more cautiously. The platform introduced teasers in its app last year and has expressed its desire to continue experimenting. However, it has been careful not to copy TikTok’s style, preferring to proceed with caution in this area, with the intention of offering content that complements the overall user experience without trying to cover everything at once.
With these initiatives, both Disney+ and Netflix seem to be aligning with modern video consumption trends, where brevity and accessibility are key. The implementation of vertical videos could change not only the way users interact with content but also the way it is conceived and produced within streaming platforms.