Netflix and Disney+ Consider Vertical Videos: Why Nobody Wants Them

I can’t seem to escape the rise of vertical videos everywhere I go. Whether I’m in a coffee shop, on the subway, or even in bed, it’s always scroll, scroll, scroll on people’s phones. The trend that started on TikTok and Instagram is now creeping onto our big screens, with YouTube Shorts paving the way, and now Disney+ and Netflix are joining the party.

Disney recently announced plans to introduce vertical videos on Disney+, and Netflix is also stepping up its game with vertical content. This shift towards vertical videos comes as major streaming services compete with platforms like TikTok and Instagram, aiming to capture daily engagement through mobile-first content formats.

While I can understand the appeal of vertical videos, I have mixed feelings about them infiltrating our living rooms. Disney seems open to anything that makes Disney+ a daily destination, while Netflix is considering vertical videos as part of its mobile app redesign. They see it as a way to offer more clips, including video podcasts, and connect with users in new ways.

I personally don’t mind vertical content on mobile apps like Disney+ and Netflix, especially for podcasts and teasers. It can help with content discovery and add a new dimension to the streaming experience. However, I have reservations about watching vertical shorts on large TV screens. To me, shorts are best suited for mobile viewing – they’re short, intimate, and casual, perfect for a quick solo watch.

The potential shift to big-screen vertical videos reminds me of Quibi, the short-form video platform that crashed and burned in just six months. Despite investing billions, nobody wanted Quibi’s vertical shorts, and the platform eventually shut down. The idea of long-form streamers like Disney+ and Netflix exploring verticals feels risky, and I’m skeptical about its success on larger screens.

In the end, I’m not convinced that vertical videos belong on our TV screens. While they might work on mobile devices, the transition to big screens feels out of place. Only time will tell if Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming giants can crack the code on big-screen vertical videos, but for now, count me as a skeptic.