Walmart.com Competes With Netflix in Instant Movie Service
As Netflix loyalties are changing with the recent price hike, Walmart is looking to take advantage by integrating their own DVD service complete with streaming into their website.
Available directly from their online retail website, movies can now be streamed and rented or purchased on-demand through a recently acquired movie service called VUDU.
VUDU, which was bought by Walmart in 2010, offers viewers the chance to watch HD movies instantly, with a “pay for what you watch” fee. Unlike Netflix, there are no subscriptions, contracts, or package deals.
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Movie rentals range from $0.99 to $5.99, depending on the title, and can be streamed directly through nearly any device with Internet access, including game systems, computers, TVs or Blu-ray Players.
Purchases vary from $4.99 to $19.99. 3D movie rentals and purchases are also offered at competitive prices.
With over 20,000 HD films, including new to DVD titles as well, customers can choose from thousands of flicks and even watch the first few minutes for free as well.
And to celebrate the launch on Walmart.com, VUDU is offering a 99-cent movie rental every Friday from popular new releases, which will be voted on by customers on Walmart’s Facebook page.
“At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide a continuous channel for customers, from our stores to our powerful e-commerce and social media platforms,” said Steve Nave, SVP and general manager at Walmart.com, in a statement.
“With VUDU becoming increasingly popular among our customers, we’re providing them more access to enjoy this digital entertainment experience directly online at Walmart.com.”
Edward Lichty, general manager of VUDU, also said, “This integration allows us to introduce more Walmart.com customers to digital entertainment and give them access to thousands of new releases and popular movie titles immediately through VUDU’s high-quality streaming service.”
“By incorporating digital movie content into the Walmart.com entertainment shopping experience, we’re enabling customers to easily choose how they want to enjoy their entertainment content – whether that be through a physical DVD, digital streaming or both.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to take our company’s vision to the next level,” Lichty added.
Walmart.com, which is one of the fastest growing online retailers in the U.S. and boasts of more than a million hits per day, will likely give Netflix another hurdle to overcome, already dealing with backlash from their new costly subscription plans and drop in share price.
According to CNN, Nave stated that Walmart was “in e-commerce to win and not to play,” which by the looks of it might possibly happen.
