HBO Max is introducing a vertical video feed called Shorts. This feature will let users swipe through short clips, similar to TikTok, and it aims to help viewers navigate the vast streaming libraries more easily.
Why Streaming Services Are Going Vertical
If you’ve spent ages scrolling through a streaming service only to give up and watch something familiar, you’re not alone. Warner Bros. Discovery gets it. They believe that short vertical video clips can help surface content that actually fits your mood, something traditional thumbnail grids often fail to do.
The reasoning is simple. Streaming libraries have exploded in size, making traditional browsing feel like wandering through a maze. A vertical feed, however, acts like a sampler platter. You swipe through brief previews until something grabs your attention, then tap to watch the full show or movie.
Think of it like reading a restaurant menu versus getting small tastings from a waiter. One involves effort and prior knowledge; the other lets you respond on impulse.
What the Shorts Feed Actually Does
HBO Max’s Shorts feed features vertical video clips — quick previews from the platform’s catalog — almost identical to what you’d find on TikTok or Instagram Reels. You scroll vertically, clips play automatically, and if something piques your interest, you can dive straight into the full content.
Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t shared how long these clips will be or how the algorithm (the system that determines which titles you see first) will choose them. What’s clear is their aim: get users from “I don’t know what to watch” to pressing play more quickly.
This new feature aligns HBO Max with several major players in the industry. Netflix, Disney Plus, and Peacock have all rolled out similar vertical browsing options. They’re all reacting to the same trend: viewers raised on TikTok and Reels expect content to come to them.
By The Numbers
| Platform | Vertical Video Feed |
|---|---|
| Netflix | Yes (launched prior to 2026) |
| Disney Plus | Yes (launched prior to 2026) |
| Peacock | Yes (launched prior to 2026) |
| HBO Max | Yes (launching 2026) |
What This Means for You
If you’re an HBO Max subscriber, you’ll soon have a fresh way to browse on your phone. Instead of scrolling through rows of thumbnails, you can switch to the Shorts feed and let the platform suggest content through short clips.
Whether this really cuts down on decision fatigue will depend on how well the algorithm understands your preferences. If it works, it could save you time. If not, you might find yourself scrolling past it to rewatch The Sopranos.
There’s also a more subtle change happening. Streaming services have typically been passive, just putting content in front of you and waiting. A swipeable vertical feed changes that. It encourages you to keep scrolling and engaging, similar to TikTok’s addictive nature. For Warner Bros. Discovery, more time spent in the app means more chances to turn a browser into a viewer, which could help retain subscribers.
Community Reaction
“Honestly if it actually learns what I like and stops recommending the same 10 shows I’ve already seen, I’m for it. The current homepage is useless.”
“Great, now every streaming app is going to be TikTok. I just want to find a movie without a whole algorithm telling me what to feel.”
The Bigger Picture
HBO Max’s new feature isn’t just about mimicking TikTok; it’s addressing a real issue in the streaming industry. When Netflix started, it had just a few hundred titles. Now, major platforms feature thousands of movies and shows. More content means it’s tougher to discover what to watch. Frustrated users who can’t find anything might think about canceling.
Vertical video feeds are one solution to this challenge. They also cater to younger audiences who are already comfortable with this format, which is crucial as streaming services vie for viewers who grew up swiping instead of clicking.
According to TechCrunch, this shift shows how audiences used to short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram are altering expectations for streaming services too. The Verge points out that Warner Bros. Discovery is promoting this feature primarily as a tool for content discovery rather than a standalone short-form platform.
What To Watch
- Rollout timing: Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t confirmed when all users will get access. Keep an eye out for announcements about phased rollouts on iOS and Android.
- Algorithm quality: The true test will be whether the feed’s recommendations improve over time or just keep cycling through the same promoted titles, a common complaint with similar features.
- Industry follow-through: Apple TV Plus is one of the few major streamers without a vertical browsing feature. With new Apple TV hardware reportedly on the way, a discovery-focused software update might come with any new device announcement.
- User adoption data: Streaming companies rarely share engagement numbers for specific features, but analyst insights during upcoming quarterly earnings calls could reveal if vertical feeds are really changing viewing habits.
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
