Observed Signal · Mar 17, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Vurt: Revolutionizing Indie Film with Vertical Video Streaming
Vurt, a mobile-first streaming platform for independent filmmakers, has launched offering vertical-format micro-series, feature films and TV shows optimized for mobile viewing. The company says the platform contains more than 100 episodes and titles — including works featuring Kevin Hart and Vivica A. Fox — and releases a new original title each week. Creators can submit content directly and, once approved, have projects available within 48–72 hours. Vurt operates an AVOD monetization model with a non-exclusive licensing agreement and a 50/50 revenue split for creators. The founding team includes Ted Lucas (founder), Eric Tomosunas, Mark A. Samuels and angel investor Hilmon Sorey, with Tarik Brooks serving as an advisor. Vurt is available free on the App Store, Google Play and via a vertical-only web player, and competes with short-form and micro-drama platforms like ReelShort, DramaBox, TikTok and Watch Club.
Launch of a new mobile-first, vertical-format streaming platform with AVOD monetization and direct creator submission could add mobile ad inventory and new formats for creator monetization, positioning it among short-form and micro-drama competitors and influencing mobile video ad strategies.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Vurt announced the launch of a mobile-first vertical streaming platform for independent filmmakers.
- The platform hosts more than 100 episodes, feature films and TV shows and releases a new original title weekly.
- Creators can submit content directly; approved projects can be live in approximately 48–72 hours.
- Vurt uses an AVOD (advertising-based video on demand) model and offers non-exclusive licensing with a 50/50 revenue split.
- Vurt is available free on the App Store, Google Play and via a web version dedicated to vertical content.
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Streamers Embrace Vertical Video, Monetization Unclear
Major streaming services are adding vertical, short-form video features as they compete with TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. Disney launched a vertical feed called Verts for Disney+, Netflix is rolling out a similar feed later this month, Peacock has hosted vertical clips for over a year and is expanding with a Bravo-focused tab, and Paramount rebooted its mobile app to include short-form capabilities. So far, platforms (Disney and NBCUniversal confirmed) are not offering ad placements inside these feeds, positioning them mainly as discovery engines to drive users toward long-form content. The newsletter also highlights the microdrama format — vertically shot, episodic short narratives originating in China — and early entrants like VeYou pursuing sponsorship and product-placement integrations rather than traditional ad breaks. The author questions whether large studios can economically replicate the social platforms’ short-form dynamics or monetize them quickly.
Rise of Vertical Short-Form Drama Series
Vertical, short-form scripted series — often called microdramas — are scaling rapidly as a global content and monetization format. Hollywood creators like Issa Rae are releasing multi-episode vertical thrillers on platforms such as TikTok, while specialized apps (DramaBox, ReelShort, GammaTime and others) have built business models mixing free trial episodes, coin-based micropayments and subscriptions. The format is characterized by 1–2 minute episodes, high episode counts per season, low production cost and fast turnaround. China remains the dominant market (DataEye and Media Partners Asia data show multi‑billion euro revenues and a large share of global earnings), but Western players including Disney and Fox have started investing, launching in-app vertical features or partnering with vertical-drama apps. Market research (Omdia) indicates meaningful monthly active user bases in the US, India, Brazil and Mexico, while Europe remains smaller.
Disney+ Launches 'Verts' Vertical Video Feed
Disney+ launched Verts, a swipeable vertical video feed integrated into the mobile app navigation that surfaces clips from its entertainment catalog and lets users add to watchlists or jump into playback. The feature, first introduced on ESPN in August, aims to increase daily mobile engagement by offering social-style, full-screen short-form video inside a brand-safe streaming environment. Disney also announced a Brand Impact Metric at CES to measure cross-format campaigns tied to this inventory. The industry is converging on similar bets — Netflix, Tubi and Peacock are building or testing vertical mobile feeds — raising questions about how quickly this inventory can be monetized and which ad stacks and measurement systems will support it at scale.
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