• by Phyllis Fine , April 26, 2016

Turner will launch FilmStruck, a subscription streaming video-on-demand service featuring a mix of contemporary and classic art house, independent, foreign and cult films — think "Seven Samurai" and "A Hard Day's Night" — this fall.

The company’s Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will manage the film library in collaboration with the Criterion Collection.

However, FilmStruck targets a younger demographic with a specific interest in programming not typically found on TCM, per a spokesperson.

Subscribers can choose from a refreshed roster of hundreds of movies from indie and major film studios, available any time on the device of their choice, in an ad-free environment.

The fee structure “will be set over the next 60 days, but is likely to be in the single-digit dollars per month,” The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Turner executives.

It’s the first direct-to-consumer product for Turner, part of its strategy “to innovate beyond the traditional television ecosystem by providing rich viewing experiences that drive engagement across all platforms,” according to the company.  

FilmStruck will also be the exclusive new streaming home for the Criterion Collection, which will include the Criterion Channel, a premium service programmed and curated by the Criterion team.