Walmart Expands Membership Program with Streaming Option

Walmart is adding a new streaming perk to its paid membership program, Walmart+, which includes complimentary access to Comcast's Peacock Premium and Paramount+ Essential. Members can switch between the two ad-supported services every 90 days. The move aims to offer more flexibility and value to members, boosting sales and cultivating loyalty.

Title: Walmart Expands Streaming Benefits in Walmart+ Membership

Walmart Inc. has announced a significant enhancement to its Walmart+ membership program, adding complimentary access to Comcast Corp.'s Peacock Premium and Paramount+ Essential. This move aims to provide more flexibility and value to members, potentially boosting sales and cultivating loyalty. Starting in mid-September, Walmart+ members will be able to switch between the two ad-supported streaming services every 90 days [1].

Walmart+ currently includes perks such as free unlimited grocery delivery, free shipping on Walmart.com, member-exclusive fuel discounts, and early access to sales events. The addition of Paramount+ Essential in 2022 was a notable upgrade, offering members access to over 40,000 episodes, blockbuster movies, live sports, and original content. Now, with Peacock entering the mix, Walmart+ is expanding its appeal to cater to diverse viewer preferences [1].

Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming powerhouse, offers a treasure trove of content, including the full library of "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," and "Saturday Night Live" sketches, alongside Universal blockbusters and live events such as Premier League soccer and WWE programming. The ad-supported Peacock Premium plan, normally $7.99 per month, will be fully accessible to Walmart+ members without additional charges [1].

Members can toggle between Peacock and Paramount+ through the Walmart+ account hub on the app or website every 90 days. For uninterrupted viewing, upgrades are available—Paramount+ Premium for ad-free streaming (except live TV) at an extra $5.99 monthly or $59.99 annually, and Peacock Premium Plus for $13.99 monthly or $139.99 yearly. These upgrades can be managed directly in the Walmart+ dashboard, with pricing billed through the membership account [1].

Walmart's push into entertainment is part of a broader strategy to compete with Amazon Prime. With over 85% of U.S. households subscribed to at least one streaming service, consumers are increasingly seeking bundled value to combat rising costs. Walmart+ now boasts an estimated 20 million members since its 2020 launch, up from 11 million in 2022, partly due to strategic partnerships like this one [1].

The addition of Peacock and Paramount+ comes at a pivotal time for the streaming industry. Walmart's research showed that members were trying different streaming services, indicating a need for flexibility. The dual-streaming option could add significant value, equivalent to $95.88 annually in free ad-supported access alone [1].

To activate the new benefit, existing Walmart+ members should log into their account hub, select "Manage Streaming Services," and choose their preferred platform. New subscribers can sign up for a free 30-day trial at Walmart.com/plus, which includes immediate access to the streaming perks. Paramount+ users will need to link or create an account using the same email as their Walmart+ profile, while Peacock activation follows a similar process via NBCUniversal's portal [1].

Walmart's push into entertainment isn't stopping here. The company hinted at potential future additions, such as enhanced integration with Pluto TV's ad-free monthly rotations for members. Additionally, Walmart+ continues to bundle other value-adds, like 25% off daily at Burger King, free Whopper offers quarterly, and Rx for Less discounts on prescriptions for conditions like diabetes and heart health [1].

References

[1] https://cordcuttersnews.com/walmart-expands-free-streaming-members-can-now-choose-between-peacock-and-paramount-for-free/