Wal-Mart Launches Movie Download Store

Wal-Mart, the worls largest retaile isn't content to let a source of revenue pass it buy. It has laucnhed a video download store that comes stocled with 3000 films and TV episodes. DVDs range in price from $12.88 to $19.88 and TV epsidoes for $1.96. The movie downloads are compatible with WIndows and WIndows portable devices, however, they will not play bak con the iPod. There is no news on the quality or size of the downloads.

From the article:

The nation's largest retailer is using its buying power to beat the prices charged by other download services in many cases, offering films from $12.88 to $19.88 and individual TV episodes for $1.96 _ 4 cents less than Apple Inc.'s iTunes store.

Apple charges less for some films sold on iTunes _ $12.99 when pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, or $14.99 afterward. But it only carries films from two studios, The Walt Disney Co. and Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Studios.

Most studios have resisted signing deals with iTunes in part because of Apple's desire to sell movies at one price. Studios prefer variable pricing such as Wal-Mart is offering.

Apple's pricing has also caused scuffles between studios and major retailers, including Wal-Mart and Target Corp. The retailers don't want studios to sell digital copies of films cheaper than the wholesale price of physical DVDs.