Walmart Lauches Online Video Service in Mexico John Hecht - HollywoodReporter.com
go to original August 16, 2012

MEXICO CITY - Retail giant Walmart on Wednesday launched its online VOD service Vudu in Mexico, but money laundering allegations stole the headlines.

The Vudu Mexico library contains 2,700 film titles from Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony and Disney. Walmart says it will add five to 20 films to the streaming site each week.

The Vudu Mexico launch comes on the same day that Walmart's Mexico affiliate saw its shares drop significantly on allegations the company may have taken part in money laundering and tax evasion in Mexico.

Two U.S. lawmakers said the allegations are based on new information found in an ongoing bribery probe against Walmart de Mexico. Walmart allegedly paid bribes in order to open new stores.

Walmart de Mexico issued a statement Wednesday saying it has no knowledge of being investigated by Mexican authorities for money laundering and tax evasion.

Vudu will compete against streaming service Netflix, which launched in Mexico and Latin America last year. Netflix offers a monthly subscription fee of $8 a month. Vudu's initial Mexico offering features strictly movie content; its stateside catalogue provides TV series as well, so that could come next here.
 
The videos are available for rental and purchase, starting at about $3 per viewing.

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