Wal-Mart Enters NetFlix's Business

wcbrown writes "AP reports that Wal-Mart is entering into the online DVD rental arena, currently dominated by Netflix. Wal-Mart is starting out with 13,000 titles, six distribution centers, and competitive pricing. With a seriously tremendous infrastructure and expansive will, Wal-Mart stands poised to overtake Netflix. To say the least, that's not going to be good for business."

Comments

Wal-Mart and family unfriendly content

[astrashe]

Unless Wal-Mart can do something a lot better than Netflix, I'd be reluctant to switch.

Wal-Mart has been in the news recently for covering up Cosmopolitan magazine. Are they going to push movie suppliers for reedited versions of films, the way Blockbuster has done?

I know that most people won't look at it this way, and Wal-Mart is an 800-lb gorilla that will probably squash Netflix. But I can't imagine Wal-Mart's politics not getting in the way of their ability to do a good job in this business.

Censorship

[blackmonday]

With Walmart's track record in "mature" movies and video games, I have to wonder whether they will carry unrated and NC-17 movies in their original versions, or employ a Blockbuster type policy where the studio must make movies fit "Rated R" or below. I've been pretty happy with Netflix, and I naturally distrust a company with shameless business practices like Walmart. Search google for "Walmart Sweatshops" if you're curious.

The real question, though...

[mhore]

Wal-mart does sell R-rated movies (last time I checked)... but I wonder if Wal-mart will do any kind of severe content selection? We all know how they fark up the music they sell there. Wonder if they'll not rent certain kinds of movies (NC-17, and some of the more R R-rated movies).