Another Warner Streaming Service Shut Down – And This One Hurts

Continuing the pattern of Warner streaming services being shut down, the latest announcement is that FilmStruck will end next month.

The move appeared to be the latest by WarnerMedia, under AT&T’s ownership, to streamline operations by cutting niche-oriented business ventures. Two sources familiar with the decision said the plan to kill FilmStruck was made prior to AT&T’s closing the Time Warner deal; in any case, the strategy aligns with the new WarnerMedia blueprint to shift resources to mass-market entertainment services.

FilmStruck launched in 2016 for arthouse and indie movies, and Warner Archive Instant was folded into it earlier this year. FilmStruck also streamed the Criterion Collection films for an extra fee. It will close November 29.

Speculation is that niche products are being shuttered in order to focus on a broader Warner service. It’s unlikely that classic movies will be a substantial part of a mass media push, though.