Wal-Mart denies iTunes retaliation plan
updated 09:55 am EDT, Mon September 25, 2006
Wal-Mart denies threats
Wal-Mart Stores has disputed a New York Post report from Friday saying it was trying to dissuade movie studios from working with other forms of distribution, including Apple's iTunes. On Friday, The Post reported that the world's largest retailer had warned Hollywood studios it may retaliate for selling movies on iTunes amid concerns that Wal-Mart's DVD sales will suffer. Earlier this month, Disney and its sister studios became the first companies to offer full length movies on Apple's iTunes: Walt Disney reported it had already sold 125,000 movies in the first week and expected annual revenue of $50 million through iTunes. Reuters reports that Wal-Mart said it was not pressuring movie studios into shunning online delivery: "Customers want to watch movies and they want to be able to make the choice when and how they want to view them," a Wal-Mart spokeswoman told the publication. "While we recognize there are various current and potential providers of this service, we are not dissuading studios from conducting business with other providers."
weasel words
09/25, 10:06am reply
"Customers want to watch movies and they want to be able to make the choice when and how they want to view them," a Wal-Mart spokeswoman said told the publication. "While we recognize there are various current and potential providers of this service, we are not dissuading studios from conducting business with other providers."
translated: "Disney, if you want to try selling your DVDs somewhere other than Wal-Mart, that's fine with us."
climacs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Yeh right!!
09/25, 12:22pm reply
Never trust walmart
suhail
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
i smell...
09/25, 01:05pm reply
...a backtrack!
Someone at Wal-Mart got reamed for making the statement towards movie studios last week. Wal-Mart got tons of bad press for it. Now they are backtracking saying they never said it.
Hahaha! s**** you Wal-Mart. They are turning into the next Microsoft with their strong-arm tactics and the "we never actually said that" bullcrap.
::maroma::
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2002
Who knows?!
09/25, 01:24pm reply
Who knows now where the truth lies?! One thing is sure, it's out there! So any movement or non-movement will be perceived as Wal-Mart's fault. It's curious how the all-mighty media moguls as we have portrayed them have now twice capitulated to leading vendors (Apple w/ song prices & Wal-Mart w/ video distribution).
Although by no means is this latest story why I make a great effort to avoid Wal-Mart, it does add more incentive to continue.
/
doctor9
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
It is most probably true
09/25, 06:00pm reply
Walmart is know for this type of behavior and had a LONG history of strong-arm tactics against others. You can always ask Vlasic about their history with Wal-mart. Nasty company. Haven't done business with them in 16 years.
I stopped shopping at Walmart when they called the police on me for entering their store carrying my motorcycle helmet (they did say that it wasn't "allowed" in their store). They stated that I could use it to shoplift. I guess those folks who carry purses are simply more trustworthy than motorcyclist. It wasn't like they cannot just LOOK inside the helmet before someone walks out of the store. Like I said, NASTY company. Take your business to Target if you need to choose between the two.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
What A Joke....
09/26, 12:29am reply
The retail "Giant" wants to grumble about some video downloads...
I sure notice the way they don't complain about NetFlix.?. (Do you smell a kick back...part ownership?) Doesn't this cut into DVD sales?
Plus all the negatives they have had in the past few months isn't helping things...the sell off of their Germany stores...China stores under union control...
Me thinks the big giant is stumbling.
ebrenner
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2006