Table of Contents
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has finalized its acquisition of VIZIO, the smart TV and connected home entertainment company, for $11.50 per share in cash, valuing the deal at approximately $2.3 billion. Walmart says the transaction will enhance its omnichannel retail capabilities and expand its advertising reach through VIZIO’s SmartCast operating system and robust advertising platform.
“VIZIO offers great products at great prices that customers love. They’ve always put customers at the center of their business – and that’s core to Walmart’s values and the omnichannel experiences we’re excited to roll out,” said Seth Dallaire, Walmart U.S. executive vice president and chief growth officer. “Pairing VIZIO’s innovative platform with Walmart Connect will amplify our ability to deliver impactful advertising solutions and invest further in the customer experience.”
VIZIO, founded in 2002, has built a reputation for delivering affordable, cutting-edge smart TVs and connected devices. Its SmartCast platform, which powers over 19 million active accounts, has become a cornerstone of its business. The platform supports free, ad-supported streaming while enabling targeted advertising through a growing ecosystem of Fortune 500 partners. VIZIO’s Platform+ advertising segment now accounts for all the company’s gross profit.
William Wang, CEO and founder of VIZIO, highlighted the alignment between the two companies’ missions. “Today, with the tremendous number of resources from Walmart, we will continue to accelerate our mission to provide incredible value and innovation in home entertainment,” said Wang, who will remain CEO and report to Dallaire.
The acquisition is expected to enhance Walmart Connect, the retail giant’s media arm. This arm has seen significant growth, including a 26% revenue increase in Q3 FY25. By integrating VIZIO’s ad capabilities, Walmart aims to offer brands new opportunities to engage with customers across digital and in-store channels.
While VIZIO will continue to operate as a separate entity, Walmart expects the acquisition to slightly dilute its earnings per share in FY25 and FY26 due to transaction-related costs. The retailer financed the deal using a combination of cash and debt, and the acquisition is expected to yield a return ahead of Walmart’s reported investment benchmarks.
VIZIO’s Class A common stock will no longer be publicly traded on the NYSE as of today, and the business will now be reported as part of Walmart’s U.S. segment.
