FilmStruck: There may be hope for film streaming yet

Sad Professor

The Criterion Collection’s Streaming Library Finds New Home With TCM’s FilmStruck

Turner announced today that they are launching FilmStruck, a collaborative streaming service between Turner Classic Movies and Criterion Collection, as well as films from Janus Films, Flicker Alley, Icarus, Kino, Milestone, Zeitgeist, Warners Bros. and more.

While so far only Seven Samurai, A Hard Day’s Night, A Room With A View, Blood Simple, My Life As A Dog, Mad Max, Breaker Morant and The Player have been named as titles, more than a 1,000 features just from Janus’ extensive library will be part of the ad-free service, which will also include bonus features that have been missing on Hulu. As we wait for what sounds like cinematic heaven, check out a teaser video below, hinting many more titles to be included, along with the full press release, and see more information on the site.

With Netflix, Amazon and the old cable operators scaling back their film catalogues in favour of endless cheaply produced binge-watch shows, it's encouraging to see someone is still thinking about film fans. Of course, this service will probably never come to Ireland, but if it's a success it might create opportunities for an similar service, especially now that Criterion have expanded to the UK.

kunst nugget

Sad Professor wrote: »

The Criterion Collection’s Streaming Library Finds New Home With TCM’s FilmStruck


With Netflix, Amazon and the old cable operators scaling back their film catalogues in favour of endless cheaply produced binge-watch shows, it's encouraging to see someone is still thinking about film fans. Of course, this service will probably never come to Ireland, but if it's a success it might create opportunities for an similar service, especially now that Criterion have expanded to the UK.

Would Mubi not scratch that itch for serious film fans. I think it's only €5.99 a month with a constantly changing list of films.

Sad Professor

I was actually just on the Mubi site and see they have expanded the platforms they are available on considerably. When I last subscribed to them they were only available via web browser or iPad app and only had SD. Seems to have improved a lot. Am going to re-subscribe.

dreamers75

Sad Professor wrote: »

The Criterion Collection’s Streaming Library Finds New Home With TCM’s FilmStruck


With Netflix, Amazon and the old cable operators scaling back their film catalogues in favour of endless cheaply produced binge-watch shows, it's encouraging to see someone is still thinking about film fans. Of course, this service will probably never come to Ireland, but if it's a success it might create opportunities for an similar service, especially now that Criterion have expanded to the UK.

Nothing to do with them changing their catalogues, its the rights holders wanting to create their own streaming service.

In a perfect world Netflix or another would have most of the movie rights.

If Turner, WB, FOX et all think there is a market for multiple streaming services they are mistaken. I would imagine showbox has more users than all the single brands offerings combined.

Sad Professor

FilmStruck is launching internationally, starting in the UK (in partnership with Curzon) in a few weeks. Very good news, hopefully Ireland won't be far behind.

http://deadline.com/2018/01/turner-warner-bros-team-up-to-launch-movie-svod-service-filmstruck-globally-1202262807/

johnny_ultimate

Sadly, the hope alluded to in the thread title has been extinguished: Filmstruck will cease operations next month.

Lot of love for the service on Film Twitter - so while we never got it over here, it was definitely a well loved service over in the States.

Sad Professor

FFS!

dublinman1990

If you didn't know already; Filmstruck will close down on the 29th of November. A lack of subscribers was the reason for it's decision. But there is word going around that a replacement from WB will be launched in it's place.

On October 26th, 2018, Warner Bros. Digital Networks and Turner announced that FilmStruck would be shutting down on November 29th due to a lack of subscribers. Criterion stated in a blog post that in wake of this, they were currently 'trying to find ways we can bring our library and original content back to the digital space as soon as possible.

Sad Professor

Some good news: Criterion is launching the Criterion Channel as a freestanding service next year.

https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6044-new-independent-criterion-channel-to-launch-spring-2019