Is the Internet big enough for another movie download service? Sears and Kmart seem to think so. The two timeless retailers have tapped into Sonic’s RoxioNow platform for the newly launched Alphaline Entertainment Service.

A partnership between the two stores seems logical; Sears Holdings owns both retailers. Why they’d want to get into such a crowded space is still anyone’s guess.

Like every other service that’s not Netflix, Alphaline will offer movie rentals for $3.99, with the option to buy costing between $9.95 and $19.99. TV shows will cost $1.99 to own. According to the site, movies take about an hour to download, but can be viewed during that time. Purchases can be viewed on multiple PCs (up to five), but not burned to disc.

For now, the service is strictly for PC users only. It’s expected to pop up in various CE devices, such as HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and portables in the near future.

“Collaborating with Sonic provides a great opportunity for Sears and Kmart to launch digital services for customers seeking even faster access to the latest in home entertainment experiences,” said Karen Austin, president of consumer electronics for Sears and Kmart. “We’ll continue to increase the reach and flexibility of the Alphaline Entertainment service by providing consumers on-demand access to the latest entertainment from a range of home and mobile electronics.”

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.