With FilmStruck to be shutting down on November 29, 2018, the Criterion Collection team is launching the Criterion Channel as a freestanding service in spring 2019.

Additionally, the popular library of films will be part of WarnerMedia's recently announced direct-to-consumer platform that is planned to launch in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The Criterion Channel will be picking up where FilmStruck left off, with thematic programming, regular filmmaker spotlights, and actor retrospectives, featuring major classics and hard-to-find discoveries from Hollywood and around the world, complete with special features like commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and original documentaries. The Criterion Channel will continue to produce their guest programmer series, Adventures in Moviegoing, which has already featured such cinephile luminaries as Barry Jenkins, Guillermo del Toro, Bill Hader, and Mira Nair. Criterion's monthly 15-minute film school, Observations on Film Art, Tuesday's Short + Feature, and the Friday double-bill will all be back as well.

Early signups for “Charter Subscribers,” which come with extra benefits, are available now. Subscriptions for charter members will cost $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year. Normal memberships will cost $10 a month or $100 a year. Charter members will be charged once the service launches.