The Criterion Collection

[SleazyForWeasley]

I know the B&N Criterion sale will be in Nov, but do we know the start date yet? I haven't seen anything.

[davidsal]

Worst news ever. I was beginning to really take advantage of this great service.

[MifuneFan]

Pretty terrible at how short a duration it lasted. It seemed like it was moving in the right direction, but I guess not.

I'd say a digital Criterion service still has a place besides their physical collection as none of us would be able to own every single title that Criterion has digitally (especially since many will never get a physical release). So hopefully Criterion finds a new home for their library. It would be great if they could be a tier on Netflix since that's on more devices than anything, and they also have more digital subscribers as well. If not another streaming service, then perhaps Criterion could come up with their own digital service directly on their site.

[SkyAntoine]

I'm not sure that my work is going to understand why I have to take off next month to see all of my watch list.

[KJones77]

This is absolutely dreadful news. What a horrible way to start a Friday.

I'm sure Criterion will find another avenue, but I loved FilmStruck for far more than just Criterion stuff. So many classic Hollywood films that can't really be found elsewhere.

[Polaroid]

Well with the amount they are charging for UK criterions, I am pretty sure they can afford to set up their own service on their site lol pmsl.

[regeyer]

I, too, have been utilizing FilmStruck. The service is not perfect, and sometimes didn't work right, but it made it easier for me to check out Criterion releases without having to borrow them from the library. Admittedly, I still borrow some from the library because it's so easy. But using FilmStruck was even easier.

If the end result is that these titles end up on Netflix or Youtube, that would be great. Or, perhaps, it's a sign that the subscription service is just not profitable for them. Time will tell.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Pretty terrible at how short a duration it lasted. It seemed like it was moving in the right direction, but I guess not.

I'd say a digital Criterion service still has a place besides their physical collection as none of us would be able to own every single title that Criterion has digitally (especially since many will never get a physical release). So hopefully Criterion finds a new home for their library. It would be great if they could be a tier on Netflix since that's on more devices than anything, and they also have more digital subscribers as well. If not another streaming service, then perhaps Criterion could come up with their own digital service directly on their site.

According to the email that Criterion just sent out, they are looking into finding a new home for their digital media. Who knows, maybe they'll end up back at Hulu. While I'm sure Criterion will work something out, somewhere, sometime, I'm going to miss those TCM offerings.

Also, judging from the tone of the email, it sounds like this announcement came as a surprise to Criterion as well.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by belcherman

According to the email that Criterion just sent out, they are looking into finding a new home for their digital media. Who knows, maybe they'll end up back at Hulu,

I wouldn't mind Hulu either. They're on most devices as well, and they have a a pretty solid library now. I don't think their interface is as good as Netflix personally, but it's better than Amazon's, at least the last time I used it.

[critterdvd]

Originally Posted by jordan-r

So FilmStruck is going away?

Well I was going to purchase a 1-year plan for myself as an early Holiday Present with all of the holiday's coming up. Now I'll just put it towards the B&N sales...

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by muchogris

Thats awful news...

Worst email I have received this year. Very sad day for film. Hoping that they get picked up soon by another service.

[KJones77]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I wouldn't mind Hulu either. They're on most devices as well, and they have a a pretty solid library now. I don't think their interface is as good as Netflix personally, but it's better than Amazon's, at least the last time I used it.

The nice part with Hulu/Netflix is that I can stream it on Chromecast. I have to watch Amazon Prime on my laptop or hook it up with an HDMI to my TV. It's not a complete pain, but it's an unnecessary extra step.

So, I'm hoping for Hulu or Netflix, personally.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by zorbonaut

Worst email I have received this year. Very sad day for film. Hoping that they get picked up soon by another service.

Not a sad day for film, just for streaming.

[Hoke Moseley]

Awful news indeed. I know this is a big hit to a lot of people I know who aren't big blu-ray buyers. A great resource but too good to last I guess.

I hope Hulu gets them back.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Originally Posted by CMNPlanet

Email from Criterion on Filmstruck's demise:

Dammit, WB. That’s heartbreaking.

[zorbonaut]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Not a sad day for film, just for streaming.

Sad day for both film and streaming. Not everyone can afford to blind buy classic/Criterion films in physical form. Losing this option (for now), is a sad day for film.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Not a sad day for film, just for streaming.

Maybe not just for streaming. Here's the statement from the spokespuppets:

"We’re incredibly proud of the creativity and innovations produced by the talented and dedicated teams who worked on FilmStruck over the past two years. While FilmStruck has a very loyal fanbase, it remains largely a niche service. We plan to take key learnings from FilmStruck to help shape future business decisions in the direct-to-consumer space and redirect this investment back into our collective portfolios"

You could say that physical media in general and blu ray in particular are "niche" markets. Who knows where the axe will fall next?

edit: Rereading the last sentence of that statement makes me sick in my mouth. So much corporate goobledygook for "we don't understand it, we don't want to understand it, we're going to kill it and take the tax write-off."

[caiman]

Originally Posted by natureboy

This is the #1 reason why I still buy physical copies of movies. You can never rely on something being in any streaming or cloud-based platform forever...

Amen. Streaming is a convenient novelty, NOT a cinephile's main source of films.

[jordan-r]

Originally Posted by belcherman

Maybe not just for streaming. Here's the statement from the spokespuppets:



You could say that physical media in general and blu ray in particular are "niche" markets. Who knows where the axe will fall next?

This is where Criterion's independence benefits them (and us).

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by jordan-r

This is where Criterion's independence benefits them (and us).

Even Criterion is dependent on "the kindness of strangers." In other words, we may be seeing the end of Warner licensing deals.