The Criterion Collection will have its own independent streaming platform, named The Criterion Channel. The partnership with WarnerMedia is for a “free-standing streaming service” which is set to launch in the Spring of 2019. Cinephiles rejoice!
“Today’s announcement ensures that fans will have access to these films from the Criterion Collection as well as films from WarnerMedia’s deep and extensive library in what will be a rich and curated experience, which will further expand the audience footprint for these classic and acclaimed movies,” Criterion said in a statement.
The company added, “The Criterion Channel will be picking up where FilmStruck left off, with thematic programming, regular filmmaker spotlights, and actor retrospectives, featuring major classics and hard-to-find discoveries from Hollywood and around the world, complete with special features like commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and original documentaries.”
As of late yesterday evening, more than 50,000 signatures [petition] had been gathered to save FilmStruck. Directors such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, Sofia Coppola, Alfonso Cuaron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edgar Wright and many more had tried to appeal to Warner Bros Picture Group chairman Toby Emmerich to save FilmStruck, their argument, and it is right the one, was that it would be a vital loss for film culture.
FilmStruck will be shutting down on November 29th