FandangoNOW and Vudu Merge: New Streaming Service Details

Fandango Integrates Vudu with FandangoNOW

Last year saw Fandango, a division of NBCUniversal, acquire the on-demand video streaming service Vudu from Walmart. This followed Walmart’s inability to fully leverage the service, initially purchased in 2010 for $100 million. Now, Fandango is progressing with Vudu by consolidating it with its current streaming platform, FandangoNOW.

Vudu Brand Retained

The combined service will operate under the Vudu name. This decision was made because of Vudu’s established brand recognition and larger user base compared to FandangoNOW.

Content Access for Existing Users

Customers currently using FandangoNOW will maintain access to all previously purchased content. Their existing movie and TV show libraries will be automatically migrated to the new Vudu service, beginning today.

Competitive Landscape

Vudu’s on-demand offerings directly compete with platforms like Apple iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play/YouTube. It also contends with similar services offered by various telecommunications companies.

These services particularly appeal to viewers who prefer to rent or own content, rather than relying on subscription services where availability fluctuates with licensing agreements.

New Releases Available

The newly integrated Vudu will launch with a selection of recent releases. These include titles such as “F9: The Fast Saga,” Pixar’s “Luca,” “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “Peter Rabbit 2,” “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” “A Quiet Place Part II,” Disney’s “Cruella,” “Godzilla vs. Kong,” and “In the Heights.”

Furthermore, Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow” will be added next Tuesday. This film is currently at the center of a contract dispute, with Scarlett Johansson filing a lawsuit against Disney regarding its simultaneous release on Disney+.

Enhanced Viewing Experience

Many titles are available in 4K Ultra HD. The service also supports advanced audio and video formats, including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Extensive User Base and Reach

Vudu boasts a substantial user base, with over 60 million registered users. Fandango reports that the service reaches “millions” of viewers daily.

The platform is accessible across a wide range of devices, reaching over 75 million U.S. TV-connected households, according to data from the NPD Group.

Roku Integration

Following the merger, the new Vudu service will become the official movie store on the Roku platform. Customers will be able to rent or purchase content using Roku Pay.

Fandango’s Digital Network

Vudu now joins Fandango’s existing digital portfolio. This includes Fandango’s ticketing service, MovieTickets.com, Flixster, Movieclips, and Rotten Tomatoes.

Comcast’s Streaming Strategy

While this merger streamlines operations within the Fandango division, NBCU’s parent company, Comcast, still faces overlap in its streaming services. Comcast acquired Xumo in February 2020 and operates Peacock, a streaming service launched last year. Currently, there are no plans to consolidate these platforms.