Turner will launch its first domestic direct-to-consumer SVOD service this autumn.
Known as FilmStruck, it will be aimed at film aficionados and developed and managed by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) in collaboration with the Criterion Collection.
Aside from a mix of contemporary and classic art house, indie, foreign and cult films, the ad-free service will include the Criterion Channel, a new premium service programmed and curated by the Criterion team. It will also be available to view anywhere, anytime and on any device.
Commenting on FilmStruck, John Martin, chairman and CEO of Turner, said: “At Turner, we are dedicated to engaging fans wherever they are, and we’re investing aggressively in content, new capabilities and new businesses to achieve that goal.
“FilmStruck is a terrific example of our strategy to meet consumer demand for great content across all screens. It’s tailor-made for the diehard movie enthusiast who craves a deep, intimate experience with independent, foreign, and art house films. And it takes advantage of TCM’s powerful curation capabilities, as well as its proven track record in building a long-term relationship with passionate film fans.”
Coleman Breland, president of TCM and Turner Content Distribution, added: “TCM is leading Turner’s strategic move into the direct-to-consumer business with a truly differentiated and distinct streaming product that adds tremendous value to our portfolio.
“Together with our partners at the Criterion Collection, we are creating a must-have, premium film brand that will draw from the most celebrated movie libraries in the world.”
Peter Becker, president of the Criterion Collection, said: “Criterion is teaming up with TCM to launch an arthouse film lovers’ dream streaming service.
“Working with TCM’s programming team, we’ll present a broad, constantly changing cross-section of Criterion titles on FilmStruck, a platform designed from the start to present films with the kind of robust supplemental features that Criterion is known for. The addition of the premium Criterion Channel will offer subscribers the most comprehensive Criterion experience ever available anywhere, including a steady stream of exclusive original content and archival discoveries, plus continual access to more than 1,000 films from the Janus Films library, many unavailable on disc or anywhere else. We’re very excited to be joining forces with TCM to make FilmStruck the streaming service serious movie fans have been waiting for.”
