Walmart Expands Vudu, Free Ad-Supported Movie Service

Walmart is expanding Vudu, its on-demand mostly-centric movie video service, to now include a free advertising-supported movie digital service -- Vudu Movies on Us.

Customers can access this new Vudu service from any of their Internet devices and can watch titles like “Mad Max,” “True Grit,” “Abduction”  and “School of Rock.”

Vudu Movies on Us will have limited commercials, including some pre-roll and mid-roll spots.

Since its launch in 2007, the original Vudu service has allowed consumers to access movie and TV content through a special Vudu set-top box. Unlike other digital entertainment services, Vudu users do not pay a monthly subscription fee. Instead, they pay on how many movies they rent or purchase.

Walmart bought the service in 2010 for $100 million. Vudu has over 100,000 movies and TV titles.

The new free Vudu digital movie/TV service will not compete against Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. Rather, it will focus on competition of digital ad-supported players, including the major networks.

Vudu has teamed with Ooyala, an online-video ad tech company, for the new Vudu service. It looks to sign up Nielsen to track viewing behavior.

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