Walmart planning online video marketplace challenger to Amazon’s, source report
Walmart is looking to possibly create an online store that would sell other companies’ video services, similar to Amazon’s Channels video marketplace and one Apple reportedly is also considering, this according to sources reported Monday by Bloomberg.
The world’s largest retailer has approached several media companies about reselling their streaming services through an online store. The idea would be to let customers of Walmart’s video service, Vudu, pay for additional services like CBS All Access, HBO Now, Showtime or Starz. The discussions are still exploratory, and Walmart’s plans may change, the report said.
As BESTApple TV reported in July, Walmart also has reportedly mulled building a new streaming service that would be more like Netflix. It’s not clear whether the company is still exploring that idea, but it’s looking to create a more robust offering of digital entertainment.
Another report last week indicated Apple is considering a similar strategy to Walmart’s creating a new digital video service that will include its own original content together with subscription “channels” from various media companies.