Walmart in talks with UltraViolet on distribution deal
updated 02:00 pm EDT, Wed September 21, 2011
Walmart setting up to carry UltraViolet media
Walmart is in negotiations to carry the UltraViolet cloud-video platform, CNET learned from sources. UV is a number of standards and specifications that will allow movies and TV shows to play on many devices. Customers would purchase a UV movie, for example, and have access to it from servers and view them on multiple UV-licensed devices.
Switching video providers would allow consumers to take the rights of the movies they purchased along with them.
Walmart seems to be slowly moving from DVD format to digital distribution, as it purchased VOD service Vudu last year.
Finalized early this year, the UltraViolet spec was expected to be launched this summer, but those plans have evidently slipped. Sony Pictures said The Smurfs and Friends With Benefits will be the first movies to be released on the UltraViolet platform.
