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AMC transfers its on-demand streaming users to Vudu
AMC Entertainment’s streaming service is migrating its users to Vudu. The companies announced today that Vudu is “the official new streaming platform for consumers of AMC Theatres on Demand.”
Vudu and FandangoNow merge into a single streaming service
Vudu and FandangoNow are being merged into a single service simply called Vudu.
Vudu has arrived on Amazon's Fire TV platform
Now Amazon Fire TV users can rent or buy videos from Vudu.
Now 'The Office' is a Peacock exclusive
NBCUniversal has taken 'The Office' back from Netflix, making it a subscription streaming exclusive for Peacock.
Universal's plans for more 'premium VOD' push AMC to drop its movies
'Trolls World Tour' skipped a theatrical release earlier this month, and now NBCUniversal is planning to use the premium VOD strategy for future movies -- even after theaters are open again. AMC isn't happy about that.
Fandango is buying Vudu's video service from Walmart
Walmart expects the deal to close in the coming months.
My love/hate relationship with streaming movies early at home
For The Invisible Man, Universal Pictures decided to go the VOD route. It's hard to argue against the convenience of these early VOD releases, which also includes Universal's Emma, The Hunt and Disney's Onward.
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is available on digital a few days early
It looks like Frozen 2 isn't the only Disney property getting an early launch due to the current conditions of everything. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is now available on most digital stores, including Vudu, iTunes and Google Play. (Update: Amazon too!) Right now, several days before its March 17th launch date for $20 in 1080p or $25 in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision HDR where available. It's not available to rent, but you can buy it in up to 4K resolution, or opt for the $100 Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga 9-Movie Collection. Is it worth it? Despite a 51 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics it did manage an 86 percent audience score, so there's a chance you'll be thoroughly entertained with how this third trilogy comes to an end. If not, at least you're at home and you can easily flip over to something else, or just update some of your lists on Vudu.
Vudu's 'Lists' feature helps you organize your video collection
Vudu has just introduced a new lists feature that will finally let users organize their selection of movies and TV shows. Instead of just sorting them through release date or alphabetical order, you can now sift through your collection via customized categories and lists. Think of it as a mix playlist, but for your favorite Vudu flicks. To create a list, simply look for "Lists" under the "My Vudu" menu. Select "Create New List" and away you go. You can either select individual titles or a whole slew of them at once. You can add the same movie to multiple lists, and after you make the list, the choices can be re-ordered however you want. Some examples of lists include Marvel movies, family favorites, the top 100 movies of all time, retro classics, or maybe a few romantic choices for date night. The list doesn't need to include just the movies you own either; you can include free titles from the catalog as well as movies you have yet to purchase. When you log on, you'll see a list of Star Wars movies that Vudu created to help kick off the feature.
WSJ: Comcast's NBCUniversal is in advanced talks to acquire Vudu
Comcast-owned media company NBCUniversal is in "advanced talks" to acquire Vudu from Walmart, according to The Wall Street Journal. We're just a couple of months away from the launch of NBCUniversal's new streaming platform called Peacock, so the company's interest in another streaming service may seem curious. However, the company may simply be using the same tactic employed by many other media firms in an effort to better compete with big players like Netflix: one that entails tacking ad-supported platforms onto their business.
Vudu now allows you to cancel rentals within 30 minutes of watching
Vudu's latest feature could help prevent feelings of regret after watching a movie you didn't quite enjoy. The Walmart-owned media company has launched "Rental Redo," which allows you to switch a movie you rented for another one, so long as you stop watching it within the first 30 minutes.
Vudu could be up for sale, if Walmart finds an interested buyer
Just shy of a decade after Wal-mart bought Vudu, The Information reports that the retail giant is "considering" selling its digital video on-demand store. There's no word on how far along in the process any potential deal is, or if will actually happen, but anyone can see that the service made more sense a few years ago, when it was one of the best ways to access DVD digital copies linked to an Ultraviolet locker. That went right along with in-store disc sales, and enabled a business selling digital copies to people who wanted an easier way to watch movies they'd already purchased on discs. Now, Ultraviolet is dead and Disney's Movies Anywhere setup has largely taken over that space. While it also connects to Vudu, it's not exactly what Wal-mart had in mind back in 2010. Increasingly, video watching hours are devoted to subscription streaming services, which are using inflated budgets to swallow up exclusive content. There was a rumored plan to try and do the same thing for Vudu, but that appears to have fallen through, while Apple, Disney, Comcast/NBC and AT&T/Warner/HBO are all preparing to launch new subscription options. In a statement to The Information, a Walmart spokesperson cited the service's 100 million-strong install base, and said "We're constantly having and [are] open to conversations with new and existing partners to explore opportunities for continued growth; however, we never share details of those discussions." Maybe a potential buyer will see benefit in a service that many people already use to get movies and TV shows, with some included free options, a small selection of original content like Mr. Mom, and a history that stretches back to 2007 when it launched on a $400 set-top box.
How to get the most out of Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services
A Netflix or Hulu subscription alone won't cut it anymore. The streaming landscape is fracturing as bastions of old media rise up with their own services, offering a blend of originals and library material. Over the coming months, the streaming video options will multiply like Gremlins, as the likes of Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and mobile platform Quibi hop into the game.
Vudu adds parental control to skip adult scenes
Vudu, the streaming video platform owned by Walmart, announced today a new batch of parental controls that will give guardians the ability to automatically skip or mute scenes that contain objectionable content. The new Family Play tool will allow parents to set up rules that bypass on-screen examples of substance abuse, language, violence, sex and nudity. The feature will be available on more than 500 major studio titles to begin with, and Vudu is planning to expand the offering to more movies and TV shows each week.
'Mr. Mom' is the first Walmart Vudu original
Walmart's Vudu streaming service has released the first trailer for Mr. Mom -- its modern adaptation of the 1983 film starring Michael Keaton. Vudu announced its team-up with MGM to develop original family-friendly shows for the platform last year, and Mr. Mom is the first title to come out of that partnership. The 11-episode comedy follows the story of a couple who switches places: Greg quits work to take care of the kids after former stay-at-home mom Megan lands her dream job.
UltraViolet's digital movie locker closes Wednesday
It's time to say sayonara to UltraViolet. The cloud-based digital rights locker that lets users watch content across a variety of services will shut down on Wednesday. Earlier this year, the company said it would cease operations on July 31st due to changes in the market. Customers will still be able to access any purchased movies and TV shows through the original retailers, which are FandangoNOW and Vudu (only in the US), Kaleidoscope (US, UK, Canada) and Flixster (outside the US). Same goes for making any online purchases or redeeming any digital codes.
Vudu's first original shows will include interactive titles (updated)
The rumors were true: Vudu will offer original shows, including a few with twists. Vudu confirmed at a presentation that it would introduce a variety of exclusive programming, including "interactive content" produced with the help of the startup Eko. While the streaming service didn't delve into specifics, it promised a mix of genres like comedy, drama and thrillers when the interactive material arrived later in the year.
Walmart is getting ready to announce ad-friendly Vudu originals
Walmart is reportedly developing at least six original series for its Vudu streaming service. It's set to reveal a few of them to advertisers at a presentation this week. According to Bloomberg, it's been in talks with studios to reboot old family-friendly shows.
Walmart reportedly ditches planned streaming service to focus on Vudu
Walmart has abandoned its plans to launch a new streaming video service, according to a report from CNBC. Instead of throwing resources behind a new product, the company will instead focus its attention on expanding its existing video platform Vudu. In response to the report, Walmart told Variety that Vudu is its focus but "to say that we aren't thinking about different ideas often would be false."
Walmart taps MGM to create original shows for its Vudu service
Walmart is bringing original programming to its Vudu video streaming service and it's partnering with MGM to do so. The studio will develop original, family-friendly series for the platform, with the first expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2019. The new content will be hosted by Vudu's ad-supported Movies On Us service.
