Last year we heard that Walmart was working on a Netflix-like streaming service. These plans have reportedly been put on hold, but Walmart is not done with streaming. Today Walmart announced at NewFront in New York City that they are making 12 original shows and movies that will stream on Vudu in 2019.
These shows and movies will focus on early childhood, kids and family, content in what Walmart is calling parents programming. These new original shows will include unscripted shows from Queen Latifah (Friends in Strange Places, a travel show with her celebrity friends, finding amazing experiences in unique places) and Randy Jackson (Turning Point with Randy Jackson, an exploration of the artistic journey of some of the most creative minds in America), alongside other scripted programming.
Vudu is also making a new kid-friendly movie, Adventure Force 5, from the visual effects team behind Game of Thrones. And speaking of kids, Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues is coming back to screens as Blue’s Clues and You!, and we’re excited to be debuting this new incarnation on Vudu before its premiere on Nickelodeon in November.
Walmart is also working with Evangeline Lilly in Albedo, a genre-bending crime thriller, set 150 years in the future. Variety is also coming to Vudu with a new show called First Look, coming this Fall, which will spotlight all things happening in entertainment and across the Walmart enterprise.
Walmart sees Vudu as a way to replace dropping DVD sales in stores. As consumers move to streaming-only options, Walmart is hoping original content will get them to check out Vudu.
Reports are that Walmart plans to produce at least half a dozen original programs to test out the idea. If it becomes successful look for Walmart to expand its original programming.
This idea is not new to Walmart. The point of free movies and TV shows on Vudu has not only been ad revenue but to also get you to open up your wallet and buy more content through Vudu. So far it seems to be successful as Walmart has been heavily promoting it in stores.
This is breaking news we will update this post as we learn more.
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