Comcast’s NBCUniversal is reportedly in talks to buy VUDU, the Walmart-owned VOD rental, download and free streaming service in a report by WSJ.
Speculation is NBCU will merge VUDU with Fandango Now, boosting NBCU’s digital-video presence ahead of the launch of its streaming service Peacock which will have a hybrid free and paid model.
Walmart acquired VUDU in 2010 for a reported $100 million and in 2016 began offering free, ad-supported library content to its service and more recently began delivering original shows on the free platform.
VUDU says it currently offers over 10,000 titles for free, plus some 150,000 titles to rent or buy including new releases in 4K Ultra HD.
