M
MercyNews
Home
Back
Disney+ to Launch Microcontent in 2026
Entertainment

Disney+ to Launch Microcontent in 2026

Variety6d ago
3 min read
📋

Key Facts

  • ✓ Disney aims to bring microcontent to Disney+ in 2026
  • ✓ The announcement was made at CES
  • ✓ The move follows testing of short-form content with sports fans
  • ✓ Disney joins other traditional media companies courting younger consumers

In This Article

  1. Quick Summary
  2. The CES Announcement
  3. Strategic Context
  4. Sports Content Testing
  5. Future Implications

Quick Summary#

Disney has announced plans to introduce microcontent to its streaming platform in 2026. The decision follows successful testing of short-form content with sports fans. The company aims to expand this offering to a broader audience.

The announcement was made during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This move aligns Disney with other traditional media companies. These companies are actively working to court younger consumers. These consumers are increasingly drawn to brief, easily digestible video formats.

The CES Announcement#

Disney officially revealed its plans for microcontent at CES. The announcement signals a significant shift in content strategy for the streaming giant. The company plans to launch this new format in 2026.

The decision comes after a period of testing. Disney evaluated audience interest in short-form content. This testing focused specifically on sports fans. The results appear to have been positive enough to warrant a broader rollout.

Strategic Context#

The introduction of microcontent places Disney among a growing list of traditional media companies. These companies are adapting to new viewing habits. The primary goal is to attract younger demographics.

Younger consumers have distinct preferences. They often favor content that is:

  • Brief and easily consumed
  • Available on-demand
  • Optimized for mobile viewing

By adding this format, Disney aims to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving streaming landscape.

Sports Content Testing#

The path to microcontent began with sports. Disney first tested the waters by offering short-form sports content. This initiative was designed to gauge viewer interest.

The testing phase provided valuable insights. It demonstrated that there is a demand for quick sports updates and highlights. This success laid the groundwork for the upcoming expansion. The company will now apply these learnings to a wider range of content categories.

Future Implications#

The 2026 rollout represents a major evolution for Disney+. The platform has traditionally focused on long-form movies and series. Microcontent will introduce a new viewing option for subscribers.

This strategy could influence how content is produced and consumed on the platform. It may lead to new original programming designed specifically for shorter attention spans. The move also reflects the broader industry trend. Streaming services are increasingly looking for ways to maximize engagement and retention.

#News#Disney+#Micro Dramas

Continue scrolling for more

AI Transforms Mathematical Research and Proofs
Technology

AI Transforms Mathematical Research and Proofs

Artificial intelligence is shifting from a promise to a reality in mathematics. Machine learning models are now generating original theorems, forcing a reevaluation of research and teaching methods.

Just now
4 min
172
Read Article
Entertainment

Топ-10 лучших фильмов 2025 года: must-watch

2025 год порадовал киноманов невероятным разнообразием: от грандиозных сиквелов до глубоких драм. Мы собрали 10 фильмов, которые нельзя пропустить.

1m
6 min
0
Read Article
Entertainment

Top 10 Must-Watch Movies of 2025

From critically acclaimed dramas to record-breaking blockbusters, 2025 has been a phenomenal year for cinema. We've sifted through the buzz and the reviews to bring you the definitive list of the top 10 must-watch movies of the year.

2m
10 min
2
Read Article
Entertainment

Как запустить подкаст, который полюбят слушатели

Запуск подкаста может показаться сложной задачей, но на самом деле это посильная задача для каждого. В этом руководстве мы разберем все этапы: от поиска ниши и покупки оборудования до монтажа аудио и продвижения на платформах вроде Spotify.

56m
7 min
2
Read Article
Entertainment

How to Start a Podcast That Attracts Listeners

Launching a podcast can feel overwhelming, but with the right roadmap, you can create a show that captivates listeners. This guide breaks down the entire process into actionable steps, from defining your concept to hitting publish.

58m
8 min
1
Read Article
Politics

Death toll from Iran's crackdown on protests jumps to at least 2,571, activists say

The figure analysts say dwarfs the death toll from any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and recalls the chaos surrounding the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

1h
3 min
0
Read Article
Ben Horowitz says that investing teams shouldn't be 'too much bigger than basketball teams'
Technology

Ben Horowitz says that investing teams shouldn't be 'too much bigger than basketball teams'

Ben Horowitz said investment teams should be the size of a playing five in basketball. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for WIRED Ben Horowitz said his rule of thumb is about five people on an investing team. He said Andreessen Horowitz maintains lean teams and strong communication across verticals. AI tools are enabling startups and VCs to thrive with fewer employees. Ben Horowitz is a big fan of tiny teams. On an episode of the A16z podcast, the Andreessen Horowitz cofounder shared how his venture capital firm maintains a lean operation despite being one of the world's largest. "An investing team shouldn't be too much bigger than a basketball team," he said, referring to advice he got from famed American investor David Swensen in 2009. He added, "A basketball team is five people who start, and the reason for that is the conversation around the investments really needs to be a conversation." Horowitz cofounded the Silicon Valley VC firm with Marc Andreessen in 2009. Before A16Z, he ran enterprise software company Opsware, which Hewlett-Packard acquired. A16z has backed marquee companies including Meta, Airbnb, GitHub, and Coinbase. The VC said he always kept the basketball team size in mind but also knew that the firm had to expand to keep up with how "software was eating the world," his signature phrase. The solution was to split the firm into different investment verticals. To maintain good communication, staff attend other teams' meetings when investment themes overlap. The firm also organizes a two to three-day offsite twice a year, "with not much agenda." Horowitz said that people who join them from other firms say that A16Z has "less politics" than firms with 10 or 11 people because his firm has a culture where politicking is "disincentivized." A16z might have been early to the tiny team trend, but it's catching on fast with VCs and startups across the world. Startups are actively seeking to stay small, with many having fewer than 10 people. Founders told Business Insider that AI and vibe coding tools have boosted their productivity, allowing them to get things done with far fewer people. Less politics and bureaucracy are also big pluses, they say. "We're going to see 10-person companies with billion-dollar valuations pretty soon," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in February 2024. "In my little group chat with my tech CEO friends, there's this betting pool for the first year there is a one-person billion-dollar company, which would've been unimaginable without AI. And now will happen." Read the original article on Business Insider

1h
3 min
0
Read Article
Tempest: American Missile Buggy Scores 20+ Kills in Ukraine
World_news

Tempest: American Missile Buggy Scores 20+ Kills in Ukraine

A new American off-road buggy equipped with guided missiles has entered service in Ukraine, where crews report significant success against Russian drone threats. The Tempest system offers mobile air defense against Shahed loitering munitions.

1h
5 min
3
Read Article
Jennifer Lawrence says a 15-minute compromise helps her and her husband make their differences work
Entertainment

Jennifer Lawrence says a 15-minute compromise helps her and her husband make their differences work

Jennifer Lawrence Christopher Polk/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty Images Jennifer Lawrence, 35, says she married someone who is the "opposite" of her. While he is good at sticking to a schedule, it's something she finds challenging, she said. "But we've learned, to keep our marriage alive, I have a 15-minute wiggle room," Lawrence said. Jennifer Lawrence, 35, says one small compromise helps balance her free-spirited personality with her husband's love of structure. "I married somebody who is the opposite of me. He is so organized," Lawrence said during an appearance on Tuesday's episode of the "Smartless" podcast. "He's an anchor. Everything is ordered, like on the sink. Like I have to, you know, like keep the closet doors closed, and I have like my little jobs that I work really hard to do," she said. When asked which of her habits frustrates her husband the most, Lawrence said it was her struggle with timing. "The schedule. So, our kids. I mean, I get it now. I get it. But like they're on a very strict schedule, you know? It's like breakfast, 7:30," the "Hunger Games" actor said. While her husband is good at sticking to a schedule, especially when it comes to their kids, it's something she finds challenging, Lawrence said. "He's good at keeping it. But we've learned, to keep our marriage alive, I have a 15-minute wiggle room," she said. Lawrence has two sons with her husband, Cooke Maroney, whom she married in 2019. This is not the first time that she has talked about her family life. Speaking with Cameron Diaz for Interview magazine in 2021, Lawrence said becoming a mother has made her more selective when it comes to choosing her projects. "There's no squeezing when you have a baby. There's just home, and it's the best. It definitely helps weed out projects: 'Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Is this worth being away from my child for half the day?'" she said. Lawrence also credited her husband with making things easier for her as a working mother. "Yeah, and fortunately, my husband is the greatest father in the entire world, so when I'm working, I don't have any more guilt than the usual every day, all-day parent guilt," she said. Lawrence also told Vanity Fair in 2021 that one of her favorite activities is going to the grocery store with her husband. "I don't know why but it fills me with a lot of joy. I think maybe because it's almost a metaphor for marriage. 'Okay, we've got this list. These are the things we need. Let's work together and get this done.'" Lawrence said. Read the original article on Business Insider

1h
3 min
0
Read Article
Creator income inequality is rising as top influencers rake in big paydays from brands
Economics

Creator income inequality is rising as top influencers rake in big paydays from brands

Top creator Jimmy Donaldson, a.k.a. MrBeast, at the "Beast Games" season 2 premiere. JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images Creator income inequality is rising, with the top 1% earning 21% of brand spending, per new CreatorIQ data. The trend has continued in each of the last two years. Big brands often favor top creators, making it harder for smaller influencers to compete. Creators are raking in the ad dollars — but the wealth is being shared less and less equally. New data from the influencer-marketing platform CreatorIQ shows that the income gap in the creator economy is widening. The top 10% of creators on CreatorIQ's platform received 62% of ad payments in 2025, up from 53% in 2023. Similarly, the top 1% received 21% of the total ad payment volume, up from 15% in 2023. CreatorIQ, which included the 2025 data in a new report released on Wednesday, examined 65,000 payments over a three-year period from brands and agencies to creators who received flat payments through its software. The data reflects an overall pattern in the creator economy. Brands are shifting more of their marketing dollars to creators, with payments more than doubling over the last two years in CreatorIQ's dataset. Overall, US advertiser spending on creators was expected to hit $37 billion in 2025, according to a November report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau. At the same time, much of the ad money is going to a relatively narrow segment of top talent. While many creators also make money outside influencer marketing — such as from subscriptions or direct payments from platforms like YouTube — brand sponsorships are generally the industry's top revenue source. Jasmine Enberg, cofounder and co-CEO of Scalable, a new media company focused on the creator economy, said the numbers show the industry is starting to resemble traditional entertainment, where top players rake in substantial sums, leaving smaller ones to compete for the leftovers. Enberg said the divide would only grow as big creators get larger projects, such as TV campaigns or Netflix deals. "We need to empower brands to diversify their investment more confidently," Brit Starr, CMO of CreatorIQ, said of the industry. CreatorIQ's survey of 300 creators found that only 11% earned $100,000 or more. About one-quarter of the creators surveyed fell into each of the "$50,000 to $100,000" and the "$25,000 to $50,000" categories. CreatorIQ's report included additional data points that help explain the current dynamics of the creator economy. The number of creators receiving payments within CreatorIQ's network more than doubled from 2023 to 2025, which could indicate an overall surge in influencers entering the market. While the average earnings per creator rose to $11,400 in 2025 from $9,200 in 2023, the median actually declined slightly, from $3,500 to $3,000. That suggests that top creators are pulling the average higher, while the typical creator is earning less. What's driving the pay gap Enberg said major advertisers have contributed to the sector's income inequality because they're more likely to allocate their budgets to a small number of top creators. Talent managers who spoke with Business Insider said earnings distribution had been lumpy. Budgets have definitely grown, but they haven't kept pace with the expansion of the creator population, said Kyle Hjelmeseth, CEO of G&B Digital Management. "There are now many more small accounts that will take $25 to post, for example," he said. Meanwhile, advertisers often spend a large chunk of their influencer budgets directly with social media platforms, making it harder for creators — especially smaller ones — to develop direct and potentially lasting relationships with brands, creator-industry insiders said. Becca Bahrke, the CEO of Illuminate Social, a creator management firm, said the CreatorIQ payment concentration data reflect what she's seeing among her own clients. She said she'd seen some full-time creators take the off-ramp to a different job. "You may have earned over $400,000 in one year, but if you're not showing up consistently on the platform, treating it as a full-time job, you can see the earnings fall," Bahrke said. "It's a lot of work. It's not for the faint of heart." Read the original article on Business Insider

1h
3 min
0
Read Article
🎉

You're all caught up!

Check back later for more stories

Back to Home