SANTA CLARA, CA – Retail giant Wal-Mart Inc. added an in-house video streaming service to its substantial inventory after integrating VUDU with its own website on Tuesday.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. bought the cloud-based streaming service VUDU last year in an acquisition that it described as in-line with its goal of “offering customers one continuous shopping channel”. The company said Tuesday that the service, now up and running, allows users to watch releases on the same day that they come out on DVD.
As customers browse for movie titles at Walmart.com, they are given the option to select the digital VUDU title and/or the physical title (DVD or Blu-ray Disc). Those who purchase the digital title may then stream the movie directly from either Walmart’s site, VUDU.com, or from one of more than 300 VUDU-enabled devices which include select HDTVs, Blu-ray players and the PlayStation 3.
Movies can be rented or purchased, similar to Apple’s iTunes, and the company said that it will not offer a subscription-based service a la Netflix.
A Wal-Mart Canada spokesperson confirmed to Cartt.ca that the service is restricted to U.S. customers, at least for now. “That service is not something that we’re planning to offer at this time”, said public relations manager Rosalyn Harris.
