Jason Dunn
12-30-2010, 12:30 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sears-and-kmart-team-with-sonic-to-launch-movie-download-service-112543749.html' target='_blank'>http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...-112543749.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Sonic Solutions® (Nasdaq: SNIC) today announced that RoxioNow platform licensee, Sears, has officially launched its online movie download service, <a href="http://alphaline.roxionow.com" target="_blank">Alphaline Entertainment</a>. The new service enables Sears and Kmart customers to download entertainment online, including new movies on the same day they are released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Sonic is working with Sears on a multi-phase rollout that includes making the service available from a broad range of connected devices and ensuring compatibility with studio-supported digital programs."</em></p><p>Colour me baffled. I know that streaming movie services are going to get increasingly popular moving forward, but I fail to see what Kmart and Sears can bring to the table...unless it's simply moving the hardware that will tap into this service. If I were to fast-forward to late 2012, I think I'll see this service folding after a failed two years of struggling and Netflix continuing to fight it out with iTunes.</p>