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August 31, 2006

video

Wal-Mart throwing its weight around on movie downloads?

Posted Aug. 31, ’06, 8:53 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Video

Wal-MartLet me get this straight: you’re one of the most profitable companies in America, and yet you’re traveling all around movie studios whining about Apple stealing your lunch money? I don’t know what to tell you, Wal-Mart, except this: welcome to capitalism.

Despite the dropped hints, we still have no official confirmation of downloadable movies from the iTunes Music Store, so the details are, as always, subject to change. But the article from today’s Business Week Online tells the story of David Porter, Wal-Mart’s go-to guy for Hollywood. He’s been visiting studio heads to tell them that Wal-Mart’s unhappy with Apple encroaching on their business—kind of like Darth Vader showing up to tell the Death Star guy that the Emperor is displeased.

The article also claims that Disney is the only studio to sign on, but that Fox and Lion’s Gate are in talks should other studios join the party. Wal-Mart’s biggest concern seems to be that they’re planning on launching their own video download service, and they want help promoting it when it comes out.

Don’t worry, Wal-Mart; I’m sure you can manage to screw it up all by yourself.

[via digg]


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