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Tag: Vudu

  • Feds Bust Illegal Streaming Sites With More Content Than Most Legal Sites Combined

    Feds Bust Illegal Streaming Sites With More Content Than Most Legal Sites Combined

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured guilty pleas from two programmers who ran massive illegal streaming sites, following an investigation by the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

    Darryl Julius Polo plead guilty “to one count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement, one count of criminal copyright infringement by distributing a copyrighted work being prepared for commercial distribution, one count of copyright infringement by reproduction or distribution, one count of copyright infringement by public performance and one count of money laundering.” His co-defendant, Luis Angel Villarino plead guilt “to one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement.”

    According to the report, at least one “site called iStreamItAll (ISIA), an online, subscription-based service headquartered in Las Vegas that permitted users to stream and download copyrighted television programs and movies without the permission of the relevant copyright owners. Polo admitted that he reproduced tens of thousands of copyrighted television episodes and movies without authorization, and streamed and distributed the infringing programs to thousands of paid subscribers located throughout the U.S. Specifically, Polo admitted that ISIA offered more than 118,479 different television episodes and 10,980 individual movies. In fact, according to the plea agreement, ISIA had more content than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and Amazon Prime, and Polo sent out emails to potential subscribers highlighting ISIA’s huge catalog of works and urging them to cancel those licensed services and subscribe to ISIA instead.”

    Evidently, Polo ran a sophisticated set of automated scripts that scoured pirate sites, torrents and Usenet groups 24/7 looking for new content. The content was then processed, stored and made available to subscribers of ISIA and Jetflicks, the other site in question. Both ISIA and Jetflicks were designed to work on a variety of operating systems, mobile devices, set-top boxes, consoles and smart televisions.

    The level of sophistication is truly impressive and likely only a taste of what’s to come as technology continues to be democratized.

  • Netflix Bests Apple as the Top Online Movie Service in 2011

    Netflix Bests Apple as the Top Online Movie Service in 2011

    Although you probably wouldn’t have guessed as much from the countless fumbles and mistakes the company made last year, Netflix somehow managed to overpower Apple as the top online movie service in 2011. Market share for the company grew from a measly 1 percent in 2010 to a staggering 44 percent in 2011. Apple, meanwhile, saw its market share drop from 60.8 percent in 2010 to 32.3 percent in 2011. Not bad for a service that effectively alienated its customers by forcing them to swallow a 60% price increase.

    Of course, Netflix and Apple are hardly rivals, according Dan Cryan, who warned that Netflix should be more concerned with Hulu and Walmart’s Vudu service, both of which are closer in design to Netflix’s business model than Apple and iTunes.

    “2011 marked a sea change in the online movies business that saw the balance of consumer spending shift from a DVD-like transactional model to more TV-like subscription approach,” Cryan explained in his IHS report. The online movie business more than doubled in 2011 to reach $992 million and it is expected to double this year as well.”

    According to yet another IHS report, the influx of individuals look to spend their entertainment dollar on an online video service may have something to do with consumers’ increasing disinterest in both owning and renting physical media. In regards to purchasing, movie-lovers only spent $8.8 billion on packaged media in 2011. Although that may still sound like a lot of money — and, truthfully, it is — the numbers sort of pale when compared to the $9.9 billion they spent in 2010. If the trend continues in this direction, mainstream physical media consumption could feasibly be on its way out the proverbial door within the next decade.

  • Walmart to Launch Goodies Online Sampling Program

    If you like to shop for snacks and food products online, Walmart may have a great solution for you that will allow you to sample artisan food products and exotic treats which may not be made available to you at a reasonable price elsewhere. They are calling the tentative service, Goodies, and, as with many specialty services, it comes with a membership fee.

    The service will launch sometime in July, but the price of a monthly subscription has not yet been determined. According to Advertising Age, Walmart will use a trial and error method to decide what to carry more of and what to avoid altogether. Using this method, the consumer directly drives what will be offered, and I’m guessing, the subscription price will go through an evolutionary process based on demand as well.

    Walmart has already experienced success using this model using social analytics developed by its @WalmartLabs e-commerce and mobile R&D unit. Essentially, they monitor social networks like Twitter and Facebook to find out what products consumers like or are mentioning most often. In return, they market those items in their stores and online. Now, we’re talking innovation. I like it.

    I think there’s an interesting paradox developing regarding Walmart. They are infamous as shrewd negotiator, as far as their overseers supply chain goes. Walmart can really squeeze the pennies out of their contractors. The same holds true for their workforce; employees are notoriously underpaid and we consistently see cases of racial and sexual discrimination being brought against the company. There’s also a larger question about the quality of healthcare and other benefits being made available to their workers, but I digress.

    Then, there is this other side of Walmart who seems to be bringing us, what I believe to be, groundbreaking revelations in the way we shop and gain access to services. The Goodies service discussed above is a prime example. Artisan treats from Walmart brought to you via an interactive platform based on consumer’s interests and demands. Please, there’s no one else doing this on a large scale (though, there should be).

    Last month, Walmart introduced a new program for people who don’t have a credit card or debit card, where they can still take advantage of online shopping. If you don’t think there’s a huge demand for a service like that, you must not live in the real world. It doesn’t stop there.

    Have you heard of Vudu. Yes, streaming video is not Walmart’s invention, but guess who the first brand to cover the most territory internationally is going to be? No, not Netflix. It’s going to be Walmart’s Vudu.

    To sweeten the deal even more, Walmart also offers a DVD to digital conversion exchange in stores. What does that mean? It means you bring them your dirty old copy of Pulp Fiction on DVD and they exchange it for viewing rights to an online streaming version able to be accessed anywhere you can get an internet signal.

    Come on folks, is Walmart really one of the most innovative companies in society? The answer is, yes. If you are wondering what the present and future of retail sales and services is, look no further than the superstore that currently occupies every major city in the U.S. and well beyond. Walmart is out-innovating almost every retail business out there.

    I’m a little bit intimidated by the fact that a huge corporate entity like Walmart holds so much influence and clout over what happens in our world, but at the same time, I can’t deny that they are a monstrous and innovative force that everyone will soon have to reckon with, like them or not.

  • Walmart VUDU Spreads Internationally

    Walmart is planning to send their VUDU streaming video service international with Mexico being the first country outside the United States to receive the service. Mexico can look forward to the service as early as June with over 30 countries in Latin America to follow. Expansion into Europe and Asia is planned for the latter half of 2012.

    Edward Lichty, general manager of VUDU streaming video service comments on the platform:

    “At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to interact with our brand — whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices,”

    The expansion will give current providers like Netflix a real run for their money, literally. Netflix expanded into Canada and Latin America several years ago and have been working on offering the service in select European markets since last year.

    According to Variety, VUDU will allow consumers to cover the costs of service via prepaid cards unlike Netflix who currently only works with credit cards. A Walmart representative made a statement to Variety regarding the expansion.

    The anonymous rep explained:

    “We’re always looking at ways to expand our offerings but we have nothing new to share at this time,”

    Walmart also offer a new service for customers who wish to upgrade their outdated DVD copies of films for rights to convenient online streaming versions. This may also factor into consumers decision to choose VUDU over Netflix since the service is tied to VUDU. The transaction costs as little as $2 for standard format films, but offers the ability to upgrade to high-def formats for $5.

    It sounds like Walmart is building a lot of value into their streaming service. I don’t know if there will be a viable international competitor left when they get through. We’ll keep you updated on the happenings at Walmart and VUDU.

  • Walmart Introduces DVD Digital Conversion Service

    Walmart has done it again, they are introducing another innovative service that is well within consumers budgets. This time they are using their VUDU streaming video service to allow customers to transfer their old DVD and Blu-ray movie collection into rights to an online streaming version for a very low cost. Just $2 for regular DVD’s and $5 for Blu-ray. I say, awesome!

    Years ago I discussed with a friend how purchasing a CD like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon should guarantee future rights to that recording in whatever format is made available. Reason being, he had already worn out or damaged several recorded versions of the album and was constantly paying for addition copies. Shouldn’t he have been afforded some kind of download rights?

    I loved this concept and the idea has remained with me eve since. I am pleased to see that notion being expressed in Walmart’s newest service. Who doesn’t want to shed the bulk of their old DVD collection and replace it with 24/7 access to high-quality online streaming versions. It’s a no-brainer. You can even upgrade to HD versions.

    John Aden, executive vice president for general merchandising at Walmart U.S. comments on the new DVD to digital service:

    “Walmart is helping America get access to their DVD library,”

    “Walmart Entertainment’s new disc-to-digital service will allow our customers to reconnect with the movies they already own on a variety of new devices, while preserving the investments they’ve made in disc purchases over the years. We believe this revolutionary in-store service will unlock new value for already-owned DVDs, and will encourage consumers to continue building physical and digital movie libraries in the future.”

    As i’ve already mentioned I would love to see similar programs offered for CD’s, if anybody knows about some that already exist I would love to hear from you. This service is a first step to bringing many consumer’s highly-chrished DVD collections into the modern streaming digital format to enjoy in a more convenient way.

    To bring consumers this opportunity Walmart has partnered with several Movie studios including Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Paramount Studios, and Warner Home Video. Lets hear a little from these studios about the partnership:

    Dennis Maguire, president of Worldwide Home Media Distribution and Paramount Pictures comments:

    “Consumers today want new and flexible ways to enjoy movies and Walmart’s disc-to-digital program will be another important avenue to introduce Paramount movies on this new platform to a broader, more comprehensive audience,”

    “The unmatched reach of Walmart – which serves over 140 million consumers every week – means we can quickly grow awareness for this unique technology throughout every region across the country.”

    Ron Sanders, president of Warner Home Video also adds his commentary on the partnership:

    “Consumers want value and convenience and Walmart’s disc-to-digital service will deliver both while helping consumers realize the benefits of digital ownership,”

    “Between the heavy foot traffic in-store and the aggressive educational campaign Walmart is planning, this partnership is the perfect opportunity for us to reach a mainstream audience much sooner than by more traditional means, while making the process as quick and easy for consumers as possible.”

    I reported earlier this month that Neil Young is attempting to introduce a new platform which would present a truly lossless musical version of studio recordings. I would love to see Walmart offer a similar service on his platform is it ever comes to light. Sound quality is still an issue relevant to many music fans and offering deals like this on upgraded formats would really springboard a sound quality resurgence form a consumer perspective.

    Simon Swart, executive vice president and general manager in North America of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment comments on the timing of the service:

    “With Walmart’s new disc-to-digital service, there has never been a better time to own movies,”

    “There are more than 100 million households in the US that have an existing DVD or Blu-ray library. It is now possible to digitize those movies conveniently and enjoy the benefits that ownership gives at home or any place you go.”

    Thanks Walmart, this is a great idea and a useful service. I don’t think anybody can deny the superstore’s consistent commitment to anticipating and delivering on consumer’s needs.

  • Walmart Gives Consumers Another Reason To Use Internet For Movies

    Walmart Gives Consumers Another Reason To Use Internet For Movies

    Hollywood is happy today thanks to the big smiling face and sizable weight of Walmart. The top retailer in the United States announced today that on April 16th, at 3,500 of its retail locations, the super, mega, mega, super (well you get the idea) chain will be offering customers the option to use their internet streaming site, Vudu, to store their movies digitally. The cost is projected to be around $2 with high-definition for $5.

    Walmart’s Vudu customers will be able to access Ultraviolet, which will in turn allow them to view movies from Internet-connected devices anytime. Ultraviolet is the movie digital locker service owned by Sony, Paramount, Universal, Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox. The big five studios will team up with Walmart, one of the largest sellers and distributors of their DVDs and will offer hundreds of titles through Ultraviolet.

    @kmac23va
    Ken    Interesting…Walmart & Vudu team up, bring in physical DVDs & they give you access to digital for $2-$4/disc. Apple should do this. 2 minutes ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Consumers in the United States spent $18 billion on home entertainment which included DVDs, online streaming and video on demand. The trend is expected for consumers to continue to move toward lower priced options for their movie rentals. Currently the big winners in this area are Redbox, which charges a little more than a dollar for each movie and Netflix which charges $7.99 per month for unlimited streaming of movies. Walmart is hoping this happy alignment with Hollywood will pay off even though consumers have so far been reluctant to pay for movies online.

    @PurpleCar
    Christine Cavalier    @starmike yes so no more rental disks. It’s too annoying. the entertainment factor does not outweigh the annoyance. I can rent from Vudu. 1 minute ago via Twitter for iPhone ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto