Wal-Mart steps on Apple’s iTunes video

The 800lb gorilla known as Wal-Mart made the move into the video service arena today saying its estimated 3,000 movies and TV shows will dwarf  the 600 or so available via Apple’s iTunes Music Store (Netflix and Blockbuster are clearly targeted as well).  Wal-Mart said that it would keep its prices in line with its DVD catalog, and that costs will vary depending on launch dates as well as the profile of the release: new releases sell for between $12.88 and $19.88, while older movies will sell for $7.50. TV shows will sell for $1.96 per episode, essentially matching Apple’s $1.99 TV show pricing.  Wal-Mart currently accounts for about 40% of all U.S. DVD sales. New releases will be available at www.walmart.com/videodownloads on the same day they come out on DVD. Wal-Mart downloads will run on Windows XP or Vista and Internet Explorer and some portable device. Videos won’t run on Macintosh or Linux-based computers or with iPods.