In a disappointing move for this Netflix user, Criterion has given Hulu the rights to stream their collection and has committed to adding 150 films to Hulu and Hulu Plus with another 800 to be added in the upcoming months. The Director of the Criterion Collection, Peter Becker, raved about Hulu saying: “… they get it. As their regular viewers know, the Hulu user experience is exactly what it should be: simple, elegant, and focused on the content. Hulu has built their brand on letting the shows and movies take center stage. Nobody does it better, and we’re honored that they see Criterion as a good match for their audience.” Becker acknowledged that Criterion’s entire collection will be added to Hulu Plus, including: “films so rare that they have never been seen in the U.S. in any medium. Some of these lost gems have been so hard to see that even most of the Criterion staff will see them for the first time only when they go live on Hulu Plus!”
So what was so wrong with Netflix? Criterion mentions on their Facebook page that “Criterion” isn’t a searchable term on Netflix which isn’t totally true. If you enter Criterion into the search box what pops up are Criterion films that are still available there like Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Rashomon, and Au Revior Les Enfants. But apparently Hulu will be dedicating an entire section of their site to Criterion which is something Netflix doesn’t offer.
I reviewed an old Japanese horror called Onibaba not too long ago which is one of the awesome films Netflix stands to lose once this thing is finalized. But not all Criterion’s films are foreign or out of print titles. Some of the stuff listed on Criterion’s website include films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
I’m not sure how this will play out on the DVD side of things but this is definitely a considerable blow to Netflix, who just recently raised their monthly rates but now offers streaming at $7.99 per month – which is what Hulu charges for Hulu Plus. Criterion did say on their Facebook: “We love Netflix, and they are still one of Criterion’s most important partners, but Hulu demonstrated a real commitment to the Criterion brand that persuaded us they would be the better home base for our streaming efforts.” For me the thing Netflix has over Hulu is they don’t subject me to any advertising. So I guess I’ll be trying to catch as many of those Criterion films while I can before they’re gone.
[Source: PC Mag, Time]
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