Hey all,

Major developments happening. I've been in touch with the Criterion Channel and everyone involved, and I'm happy to announce that they will be launching The Criterion Channel as its own freestanding service in Spring 2019. From the press release:

"THE CRITERION CHANNEL TO LAUNCH INDEPENDENT STREAMING SERVICE

AVAILABLE SPRING 2019

The Criterion Collection and WarnerMedia announced today a new chapter for the beloved collection of Criterion films. In the Spring of 2019, through a special arrangement with WarnerMedia, the Criterion Channel will launch as a free-standing streaming service. 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. Today's announcement ensures that fans will have access to these films from the Criterion Collection as well as films from WarnerMedia's deep and extensive library in what will be a rich and curated experience, which will further expand the audience footprint for these classic and acclaimed movies.

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."

For more info, see the personal statement released on Criterion's site here: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6044-new-independent-criterion-channel-to-launch-spring-2019

Thank you all so much for all your support, this might not have happened without the outpouring of love you all showed, and I'm sure this is incredible news for all of us.

See you all at the movies!

-Kevin