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Filmstruck Iminent Closure
Filmstruck, the US-imported service that specialises in classic and arthouse cinema, announces its imminent closure.
19:25 26 November 2018
Filmstruck, a US streaming site that was launched in the UK just earlier this year, has announced that it will cease operations globally on 29 November.
The service, which has become particularly beloved by film buffs for its digital housing of high-end Blu-ray label the Criterion Collection, has decided to shut down operations after Warner Bros Digital Networks and Turner Broadcasting have pulled the plug.
Prior to the announcement, the online cinephile community rallied together in an attempt to keep the service alive. Their online petition was signed by more than 40,000 fans.
These are dark days for online access to classic or specialist cinema. The world of streaming now appears to be narrowing due to cynical commercial concerns and complex licensing restrictions.
Netflix is now focusing on producing new content as its humble DVD rental service dwindles. Amazon Prime Video, on the other hand, still has Fandor, an extension of a robust service for classic, independent and foreign films in the US. However, the UK outlet’s library has also dwindled to a paltry few titles.