Shares of Netflix surged 8 percent Monday after reports surfaced that cable operators were considering embedding the video streamer's service into set-top boxes.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the discussions, said Netflix is talking to Comcast and Suddenlink Communications. Bloomberg later reported talks are underway with Charter Communications and Cox Communications as well.
Netflix stock Tuesday rose $23.51 a share to $324.36 on volume that was more than twice the average.
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Presumably, a deal in the U.S. would be similar to those Netflix recently struck with Virgin Media in the U.K. and Com Hem in Sweden. With those two -- at least initially -- only subscribers who use TiVo set-top boxes will be able to access a Netflix app.
Netflix's goal, though, is more likely that the app be made available on cable boxes in general, making the on-demand streamer more of a partner to multi-systems operators and less a competitor.
"We would love to reduce the friction to the end consumer and be available via the existing device in the home," Netflix CFO David Wells said this year at an investor conference.
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Walmart today announced its plans to expand its same-day grocery delivery service, a part of its “Walmart To Go” offering, to a new market: Denver, Colorado. This move follows the company’s ongoing grocery delivery tests which have been taking place over the last couple of years in San Jose and San Francisco. The Denver area test is currently a closed beta, meaning customers will be allowed to trial the new service on a first-come, first served basis only. For now, they can request access by signing up at Walmart.com/togo. The retailer says it began online grocery delivery in San Jose and San Francisco back in April 2011, where the service is also available to most cities along the peninsula. Customers can choose from tens of thousands of eligible items online, including fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy, bakery items, and even non-grocery items like health and beauty products, electronics and toys. Shoppers designate a two-hour slot for their delivery, then orders are fulfilled by local Walmart Supercenters and delivered in Walmart To Go trucks. These branded trucks have previously been used in the San Jose and San Francisco areas, and are now coming to the Denver area, too. Denver was already participating in Walmart’s broader efforts in same-day delivery, which began in select markets last fall. Denver in particular gained same-day delivery in November 2012. For background, last October, Walmart announced its intentions to experiment in this area of same-day delivery, which began with tests in Northern Virginia (outside D.C.), Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and San Jose/San Francisco, initially. Customers in those regions could shop online – though not necessarily for groceries – then have their orders sourced and fulfilled by their local Walmart stores. The company is still experimenting with price points for this service, it seems, as they note that the Denver area delivery fees will be “in the $5 to $10 range.” However, it will run some introductory offers for new participants in order to encourage sign-ups, including some free delivery options, we’re told. Same-day delivery is available for orders placed by 8 AM M.T. in the Denver market, and returns can be handled at the time of delivery, in-store, or by phoning to have a driver return to pick up the item. Though Walmart remains the largest brick-and-mortar retailer worldwide, it has lost ground online to Amazon.com over the years, which threatens its business as more consumers shift their shoppingSource: 
