Walmart is reportedly looking to take on Amazon by offering subscription services like HBO Now, Showtime and Starz through its US video-on-demand service Vudu.
According to Bloomberg, Walmart is in “exploratory” discussions about opening up its transactional VOD store – which lets users buy and rent movies and TV content – to third-party streaming services.
The report, which cites people familiar with the talks, claims that Walmart is trying to convert its retail shoppers into users of online services.
The move would put Vudu in competition with Amazon, which started selling partner subscriptions to Prime customers in the US via Amazon Prime Channels in December 2015.
Amazon rolled its channels initiative out in Europe in May 2017, allowing Prime customers in the UK, Germany and Austria to add live and on-demand TV as part of their subscription package.
The news follows a recent Reuters report claiming that Walmart has partnered with Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), in a deal that will see the film studio create content for Vudu.
.@BlueAntMedia's #ZooMoo launches on @iflixletsplay. digitaltveurope.com/2019/02/21/blu… https://t.co/sEBZJ5Hjf5
21st February 2019
ICYMI: Telefonica sees convergence boost for #TV in #Spain. digitaltveurope.com/2019/02/21/tel… https://t.co/SIRVhEULgz
21st February 2019
ICYMI: @P7S1Group-@Discovery JV makes key management appointments. digitaltveurope.com/2019/02/21/pro… https://t.co/RfA00mArn8
21st February 2019
ICYMI: KKR plans German media powerhouse with Tele München acquisition. digitaltveurope.com/2019/02/21/kkr… https://t.co/hXZUVsq0Bt
21st February 2019
.@TiVo agrees metadata deal with Sky Mexico. digitaltveurope.com/2019/02/21/tiv… https://t.co/WlLlIK9vcw
21st February 2019
