Is Wal-Mart interested in buying Vudu?

It is no secret that we're big fans of Vudu's HDX streaming around here, in fact it is the only internet delivered HD we've ever enjoyed. At the same time we're not big fans of Wal-Mart because no matter how cheap the prices, we've had a number of issues with the level of service. So we're not exactly sure how we feel about the possibility that the two might be getting together. We really don't see the upside here either as Wal-Mart is so big, why would it want to buy Vudu. The only thing we can think of is that Vudu isn't sustainable on its own, so it needs a big brother to funnel money into it. So yeah, we don't really get this one, so hopefully it just remains a rumor.

[FarmerBob Posted Jan 23rd 2010 3:04PM]

I concur with varied levels of service that Wally World operates under. I pre-ordered the Star Trek XI upon invitation from them, only to have the order changed, altered again and again, each time an eMail that was sent notifying me that I was getting a better deal with each change. And with each order change I had less and less of an idea of what I will be getting. And still after several response eMails from me, I could not get a straight answer as to what was going on or why. It became apparent that I was not going to get what I was originally offered and led to believe that I ordered. Even after a call to a store the kid that answered the phone said my call was not the first and he had no idea what they were going to get for retail sale either. So when the release Tuesday rolled around I headed out and found that what they had retail, that I was assured would not be available but only online, which in fact was exactly what I originally ordered. Why all the bait, switch, false eMails and eluding answers?

Because of this episode I have no trust in WM and get a little nauseous every time I think of them. I got the LG BD-390 last Fall and in normal browsing through the units online toys, looked at VUDU. I tried to set it up and got all kinds of errors and messages from the interface and actually online, that I had to call the Mothership during bankers hours. Sorry I'm not around at that time. So I sent off an eMail, got no answer, but now daily am getting eMails with one click links to set up my account. Now why wasn't this that easy to start? Here too am I annoyed and keep telling them when I am ready I will activate. Well it is apparent that they need help, but Wally World is not the place to get it from. I would feel more comfortable with Dairy Queen buying them. At least then I would get a tasty treat with the shaft.

[rgbyhkr Posted Jan 23rd 2010 3:11PM]

So if Wal-Mart does buy them, would they drop adult content?

[Meekermoloko Posted Jan 24th 2010 5:54AM]

I think it's sad how corporations have to grow and grow, bigger and bigger in order to survive.

Well ... the bigger they are, the harder they'll fall.

Unless they get a bail out, of course.

[blackacex22 Posted Jan 24th 2010 9:22AM]

I have the LG-BD390 and I VUDU works great for me. The main issue I have with it is it works on a "wallet" system, which charges you a minimum of $20 to start and automatically re-fills it $20 more after your funds run out. So if you have a $3 balance and want to watch a $5.99HDX movie, plan on having your credit card charged another $20.

HDX with dolby digital plus is GREAT, but sometimes because of the VUDU pricing structure I'll just download an HD movie rental off my PS3 which actually has a better selection than the VUDU service offers.

[jmhalder Posted Jan 24th 2010 10:57AM]

oh relaly?

pun intended