Turner International's Digital Ventures & Innovation (DV&I) Group is joining forces with Warner Bros. Digital Networks (WBDN) to create launch a new, multi-territory subscription video-on-demand movie streaming service, FilmStruck.
FilmStruck will draw primarily on the extensive Warner Bros. library and the Criterion Collection library, as well as other global and local content partners. It will offer content across many categories such as mainstream, cult, independent, classics, art house, world cinema and documentary film. It will also feature curated themes, exclusive bonus material including cast interviews, Criterion original mini-documentaries and hosted introductions, and original artwork. The collection will be regularly refreshed.
The UK is the joint venture's initial launch market in what is planned as a multi-market roll out over the next two years and will debut in the UK association with leading independent cinema brand Curzon as FilmStruck Curzon. It will feature a branded Curzon-curated area offering access to titles from the Curzon Artificial Eye film library. The agreement with Curzon also includes opportunities to use its established market position, experience, consumer base and cinema operations and to launch additional Curzon branded cinema services in other markets.
The international expansion of FilmStruck is part of Turner's strategy to expand its activity in the SVOD space outside of the US, and is its first SVOD service in the general entertainment space. With FilmStruck Turner International now offers three international SVOD brands, with EI Plus in Brazil and the Nordics brand Toonix respectively providing sports and kids and family OTT products. The addition of FilmStruck to its international portfolio of brands is also part of Turner's wider strategy to increase activity in the over-the-top (OTT) space and expand its options to create fan-centric experiences.
"We're thrilled to take this significant step together as a joint venture with Warner Bros. Digital Networks, after many years of growing collaboration across various other projects with Warner Bros. as a whole," remarked Aksel van der Wal, executive vice president, Turner Digital Ventures & Innovation. "FilmStruck helps us realise a shared vision for what we see as a clear gap in the market for film lovers around the world. We're also delighted to be working with a partner of Curzon's heritage and prestige."
"International film fans now have a new home for a wide and diverse range of movies including some of Warner Bros.' most iconic titles," added Craig Hunegs, president, business and strategy, Warner Bros. Television Group and president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks. "It's Warner's and Turner's heritage to bring the best films to audiences, and Warner Bros. Digital Networks is very excited to partner with Aksel and the Turner team to do this in an even more direct and compelling way."
FilmStruck Curzon is expected to roll out in the UK in the coming weeks and will be available on-demand on smartphones and tablets, online and on TV via streaming devices.