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of the Criterion Collection streaming program and having struck deals with
numerous niche boutique labels such as Film Movement, First Run Features,
Global Lens, Flicker Alley, Icarus Films, Janus Films, Kino, MGM, Milestone,
Oscilloscope Laboratories, Shout Factory and Warner Brothers’ niche Warner
Archive Instant group, the program amassed a vast library of films that more
than eclipsed the amount of subscribers the service hoped to attract.
Reactions
to the program were mixed as the interface was prone to streaming problems such
as buffering dropouts and audio-sync issues, yet like MUBI the service
contained titles you simply weren’t going to get anywhere else. As of current, the move comes on the heels of
Warner Brothers and Turner Entertainment’s announcement DramaFever and Super Deluxe
were being closed down on Friday, the streaming service FilmStruck posted this
message:
“We regret to inform you that FilmStruck will be shutting
down. Our last day of service will be November 29, 2018, and we are currently
no longer enrolling new subscribers. All current FilmStruck subscribers will
receive an email with details about your account and the refund process as
applicable. Please see the options below for more information or email the
customer service team at help@filmstruck.com.”
This announcement comes shortly after Turner and Warner
Brothers landed international deals for the FilmStruck streaming service in the
United Kingdom, France and Spain. Time
will tell whether or not the closure of the US division will invariably impact
whatever plans were made to launch the service in Europe.
- Andrew Kotwicki