Short-form video feeds have become dominant on social media and are now appearing in mobile apps across major streaming platforms. Tubi launched Scenes in November 2024, and ESPN introduced Verts in August 2025. Momentum accelerated as Disney+ launched a Verts-style feed, Peacock added vertical NBA broadcasts, Paramount added a clip-based vertical feed, Netflix rolled out Clips, and Prime Video expanded Clips beyond NBA highlights to include movies and TV series. Streaming platforms face a discovery problem as content libraries grow and users struggle to decide what to watch next. Subscription fatigue is also increasing, especially among Gen Z, who often subscribe to watch a specific title and cancel soon after. Short-form feeds address both by surfacing content quickly and reducing friction between discovery and viewing, though many experiences rely on subscription gating and repurposed clips rather than purpose-built content.
"Short-form video feeds have taken over social media over the past five years. Now, they're steadily making their way into the mobile apps of nearly every major video streaming platform as streamers experiment and launch TikTok-style discovery feeds. While it's getting more attention now, this isn't entirely new. Tubi launched its short-form video feed, Scenes, back in November 2024. Then in August 2025, ESPN rolled out Verts, a vertical feed focused on sports highlights and discovery."
"In just the last few months, momentum has accelerated. Disney+ followed its sister app ESPN and launched its own version of Verts, featuring scenes and moments from its movies and shows. Peacock launched vertical NBA broadcasts, while Paramount added a vertical feed built around clips from existing shows and movies. Netflix recently rolled out Clips, and last week Prime Video expanded its version of Clips beyond NBA highlights to include movies and TV series."
"Streaming platforms are trying to replicate the discovery mechanics social platforms have already trained users to expect through short-form video, and it makes sense. Short-form video is now the dominant content format for consumers, with roughly 65% saying it's their preferred format from creators over long-form video, images, and livestreams."
"The discovery problem is the real driver. As libraries grow, it becomes harder for users to figure out what to watch next. At the same time, subscription fatigue is rising as consumers become more selective about what they pay for. Short-form feeds solve both. They surface content faster and reduce friction between discovery and viewing. That matters especially for Gen Z, who frequently sign up for a service to watch something specific and cancel shortly after. Roughly 8 in 10 say they've done this."
Read at Lindsey Gamble
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