HBO Max launches vertical Shorts feed
The shift in content discovery
Viewers face “large libraries making it hard to find something to watch.”
Audiences are “accustomed to short‑form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.”
Technical note
Vertical video means the height of the frame exceeds its width, matching the default orientation of most phone cameras and the scrolling experience of TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Why it matters
By adding a Shorts feed that uses vertical video, HBO Max aims to surface bite‑size titles quickly, aligning the service with the viewing habits that dominate mobile‑first social media.
The move shows that streaming platforms are adopting formats traditionally associated with short‑form social apps to keep users engaged within their own ecosystems.
Who is affected
Viewers looking for faster recommendations on HBO Max.
Competing streaming services that may need to consider similar short‑form vertical sections to stay competitive.
What to watch next
User engagement metrics for the new Shorts feed (e.g., watch time, repeat visits).
Whether other streaming platforms roll out comparable vertical short‑form sections in response.
“HBO Max, like other streaming platforms, is rethinking content discovery as large libraries are making it hard for viewers to find something to watch and as audiences become accustomed to short‑form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.” — TechCrunch, 28 Jul 2026
Source: TechCrunch, “HBO Max embraces vertical video with a new ‘Shorts’ feed,” 28 July 2026.