Walmart eyes sale of Vudu streaming service

Report comes out days ahead of Apple TV+ launch
ajc.com

Credit: CR: Apple+. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon star in Apple+'s new show "The Morning Show"

Credit: CR: Apple+. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon star in Apple+'s new show "The Morning Show"

Only days ahead of the much-anticipated launch of Apple TV+, a report has surfaced claiming Walmart is considering selling its 15-year-old Vudu on-demand video service.

During the last year, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based global retailer has been ramping up original Vudu content, according to The Information. No asking price for the service has been published, and it is unclear if Walmart has hired any financial professionals to oversee the sale.

Walmart bought Vudu in 2010 for about $100 million, according to the report.

On Friday, Apple TV+ is scheduled to launch with original content and other streaming services.

»RELATED: TV best bets with launch of Apple+ and ‘The Morning Show,’ return of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ and series finale of ‘The Affair’

Its most notable opening scripted project is "The Morning Show," a look at behind the scenes of a fictional morning show with a Matt Lauer-type scandal and many big-name stars — notably Steve Carell, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.
On Tuesday, AT&T said its HBO Max streaming service will launch in May for $15 a month, joining a crowded field. 

»MORE: AT&T says HBO Max streaming service to launch in May for $15

The company has said HBO Max will become the "workhorse" for its video business as cord-cutting of traditional TV expands. It hopes to migrate people who pay for HBO in different ways today to the new platform. The service grew out of AT&T's $81 billion purchase of Time Warner, which AT&T overhauled and rechristened WarnerMedia.

HBO Max will challenge Netflix alongside Disney, Comcast and Apple. It will be the most expensive of the new services that have announced prices, which could make it challenging to expand its customer base.

»RELATED: Sony shutting down online-cable service PlayStation Vue

Also this week, Sony announced it is shutting down its pioneering online-cable alternative, PlayStation Vue, citing the high cost of content and the difficulty of reaching deals with networks.