World's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, going Blu-ray

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 15th 2008 at 1:00PM }

The pieces are falling into place. It shouldn't be too long before Toshiba and the rest of the HD DVD group call it quits (check out the latest rumor). Especially with this piece of news: the world's largest public corporation, Wal-Mart, is planning on becoming a Blu-ray exclusive distributor. This comes just a few days after a similar announcement from video rental service Netflix.

According to Check Out (an official Wal-Mart blog), "by June Wal-Mart will only be carrying Blu-ray movies and hardware machines, and of course standard def movies, DVD players, and up convert players. Not sure of the short term pricing plans, but history tells us that as more people move to a new technology prices typically go down."

This news should come as a relief to those following the format war. We're relieved as well, because it means that we're one step closer to not having to write anymore format war news again in the future. Can't wait until we have the headline: "it's really over, folks."

[Thanks, Brian!]

Tags: blu-ray, wal-mart

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Playstation @ Feb 15th 2008 1:06PM

I'm glad that I picked up PS3 (although it's no brainer).
The soon HDDVD's over the better.

Andy @ Feb 15th 2008 1:09PM

I'm am so excited about this. I was a little bit afraid when I first got my PS3 that Blu-Ray might be obsolete.

I know they like making these things official but my local Walmart in Calgary, Alberta (Canada, you should know that) has a demo station in the middle of the aisle with four sides. One side is devoted to HD DVD, the other three are all Blu-Ray.

I'm impressed with Walmart as of late, they've commited to helping the enviroment and they support Blu.

Chris Rah Osiris @ Feb 15th 2008 1:09PM

Yea, saw this coming. "there can be only one" or something along those lines, lol

mji245 @ Feb 15th 2008 1:14PM

blu-ray just won let us laugh at those who bought an xbox 360 hd dud player sony 4 life

Tim Parsons @ Feb 15th 2008 1:48PM

~Points & Laughs~(Simpsons kid voice) HA HA

Brian @ Feb 15th 2008 1:20PM

There has also been an official press release.

http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/5673.aspx

CianKn @ Feb 15th 2008 1:23PM

the best thing about this news... we're one step closer to cheap blu ray movies

Dahk @ Feb 15th 2008 2:19PM

Lol that's exactly what I thought. Nation's largest discount store has to do something to the prices of Blu-ray =P.

The Sound @ Feb 15th 2008 1:33PM

SO.... Does anyone actually sell HD-DVD anymore?

Or is it something you now have to buy online?

Tim Parsons @ Feb 15th 2008 1:38PM

Damn HD-DVD wasd already on it's death bed. Wal-Mart just pulled the Life support Plug

Phoenix8387 @ Feb 15th 2008 2:05PM

This could infact be the biggest nail in HD-DVDs coffin. When the worlds largest shopping center decides to no longer sell your products, its kinda the sign of 'Game Over.' Not to mention Wal-Mart is notoriously known for their 'low low prices' which could assist in price decreases as well.

Dan Davis @ Feb 15th 2008 3:06PM

I concur. Bad news for HD-DVD. Maybe next we'll hear about Amazon having a blowout "clearance" sale?

TVGenius @ Feb 15th 2008 1:55PM

There has to be a connection between the slow but well-publicized death of HD-DVD and the long overdue (and this is coming from a Wii fanboy) growth in PS3 sales. I didn't jump on the PS3 until November, when I was confident Blu-ray would eventually win, and I know a few other people like me that are still waiting it out...

Dan Davis @ Feb 15th 2008 1:58PM

Not QUITE the final nail, but as soon as Toshiba throws in the towel, start pounding on that coffin.

The Sound @ Feb 15th 2008 2:45PM

All the nails have been hammered, except one, which is still one hit away from completely sealing that coffin.

Toshiba bowing it is the final hit.

L @ Feb 15th 2008 2:05PM

I CAN>T WAIT TO I DONT HAVE TO READ ABOUT THIS CRAP ALL DAY LONG ON THESE SITES... bloody hell.

So yip the wars over lets talk about game >.

Tranando @ Feb 15th 2008 2:16PM

I think it's safe to say that prediction of 10 million PS3 sales iin 2008 should be considerably higher now Blu-ray is the winner in the HD format wars.

Mad World @ Feb 15th 2008 5:34PM

How exactly do you figure this? Do you think there are that many people who were holding off because of the format war? Please.
And the truth is now there will be cheaper Blu Ray players so more people wont buy the PS3. Some will chose a cheaper player because that is all they want and will get one at a fraction of the cost of a PS3.
And I wouldnt count on movie prices dropping to soon. Now that there will be only one HD format, why would they drop the prices? No competition. I wouldnt expect to see a significant price drop any time soon, especially now that there is no competition.

Phizzy @ Feb 16th 2008 11:00AM

PRICE ELASTICITY OF DEMAND.

brazen @ Feb 15th 2008 2:17PM

Sloppy journalism... Walmart is not the largest public corporation by any standard - They are the largest retailer, yes. But according to today's market, they are only the 13th largest publicly traded corporation in just the US

Dahk @ Feb 15th 2008 2:22PM

Think you might wanna rewrite your sentences there buddy.

Like every other article, you're not forced to read this. I enjoy the news on this war, so I want it to keep coming. It's not like there's a lot of gaming news out right now for the PS3 anyway.

MGS4 is in its zero-media phase until its close to launch =( (since Christmas I think?)

Dahk @ Feb 15th 2008 2:23PM

Whops, that was in response to "I.", or "l." or, "1." or whatever it is.

Aaron @ Feb 15th 2008 2:34PM

Wal-mart,Blu & PS3 FTW!!!!

TinyTim121 @ Feb 15th 2008 2:55PM

RIP HD-DVD

thadwhit @ Feb 15th 2008 6:26PM

I'm glad I ebayed my Toshiba HD DVD player yesterday for $120 bucks. Got it for $100, and watched Heroes, Sopranos, and a few good movies in HD. Now for that $300 PS3 with rumble in a few months ......

Meryl Arbing @ Feb 15th 2008 7:42PM

People who are looking for lower pricing for Blu-ray players and movies should welcome this news. A company the size and power of Wal-Mart can literally drive prices lower. They can say, "We will order X million units from you...BUT they HAVE to be at this cost/unit!" and the suppliers will comply or risk losing Wal-Mart's distribution. Other retailers will be forced to follow suit and lower their prices as well in order to compete with Wal-Mart and...in the end...who will benefit...we will...no matter which store we shop at because EVERYBODY'S prices will go down.