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Customers purchasing a new Vizio TV may need to sign in with a Walmart account to use streaming features.
Walmart representative It has been confirmed to Ars Technica That online logins will be “mandatory on select new Vizio OS TVs” for users who set up and install streaming apps.
It is unclear which new models and versions of its operating system will be affected, and whether this requirement could also apply to existing TVs.
A Vizio representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Vizio has released its latest version Quantum TV 4K in January, one of the company’s first new models since Walmart acquired the manufacturer in December 2024. Some industry insiders saw the deal As a way for Walmart to push ads to Vizio’s large install base.
PCMag TV expert Will Greenwald He confirmed to CNET that he needed to “enable viewing information sharing to turn on streaming features” on the Quantum 4K TV, but was not prompted to log in to Walmart. Greenwald said he was still able to stream after turning off the device. (PCMag is owned by the same company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Most new TVs require a sign-in to set them up — Samsung TVs use Samsung Accounts, Fire TVs use Amazon Accounts, Google TVs use Google Accounts, and so on. Since 2024, Vizio TVs have also required a Vizio login, but this appears to be the first time a Walmart login will be required as well. It is unusual for a TV to force owners to use a third-party retailer account just to watch content. The move highlights how affordable technology can come with unpredictable digital chains.
Vizio ranks among the best brands for budget-conscious buyers, and its TVs and soundbars have been regular recipients of CNET’s Editors’ Choice awards.