Walmart is launching a new challenge to Netflix, just as the popular DVD-by-mail and video-streaming service is facing a subscriber revolt over a recent fee hike. Walmart is integrating the Vudu streaming service, which it bought in 2010, into its website, enabling customers to buy DVDs and Blu-rays, or watch streaming movies and TV shows, through Walmart.com. The retail giant's streaming service isn't subscription-based — viewers will pay between $1 and $5.99 to rent each movie. While many competitors have tried to knock Netflix off its throne, will Walmart be the one to finally succeed?
Walmart could pull it off: The timing couldn't be better for Walmart, says Max Eddy at Geekosystem. Not only is Netflix's future looking "increasingly uncertain" in the wake of disappointing earnings and subscriber anger, but other big-name competitors — including Apple and Amazon — are also looking weak. If Walmart can bring its massive stable of customers on board, "it could become quite the powerhouse."
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