Discuss: What Would You Want In A Criterion Collection Subscription? How Much Would You Pay?

With the recent announcement that a $9.95 Hulu Subscription may be in our future, and the ever shifting world of online film distribution causing old media consistent migraines, I have often thought about how Criterion can stay alive in these modern times. Before we begin, let me say: I do not think Criterion is in any real danger. People love tangible things. They love holding things, collecting things, and showing those things off to all of their friends. While their may be some outliers that have chosen to move towards only consuming their media online, through downloads or streaming options, they are certainly in a minority right now.

As evidenced by this podcast, The Criterion Collection clearly has a rabid fan base, that will purchase just about anything that they put up on their website, no matter the cost. They have built this relationship with their customers by holding themselves to the highest standards in the industry, by releasing, month after month, DVDs and Blu-rays with pristine transfers, and standard-settings supplemental materials.

It has been more than ten years since I have lived with cable television, long ago shifting towards watching everything via DVD, be they television programs or films. Over the past few years, with the resurgence in quality television writing and production (shows like The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, and Lost come to mind) that my household has taken to watching television live via antenna. We also occasionally will watch television programs on Hulu and Netflix Watch Instantly, if we are looking to catch up on a new program that we have heard good things about. We currently subscribe to Netflix’s 3 movies at a time option, with the added option to stream Watch Instantly options via our computer, Blu-ray player, and now the Wii. Despite having so many digital options, I still find myself gravitating towards physical media. I want to own those Blu-ray discs, just like I would rather have shelves full of books, versus checking books out from the library.

In thinking about whether I would want to add an additional $9.95 a month, for a Hulu subscription, I started thinking about what a Criterion Collection subscription would look like. I’m sure we’ve mused on the topic on previous episodes of the podcast, but I thought I would open this up for discussion on the blog. Criterion is currently offering films in various formats, at various prices. You can purchase the physical discs, be they Blu-ray or DVD. You can, for $5, watch some films directly on Criterion’s website (this $5 can subsidize the cost of the physical disc, should you want to own it). You can watch films via Netflix Watch Instantly, or their newly created Hulu Channel. There is also the option to puchase and watch Criterion films via the Vudu players/televisions. That’s a lot right? Well yes, but something clearly missing from the streaming/download options is what has built such a name for the Collection: supplemental materials. You cannot watch Deleted Scenes, Making of Documentaries, or enjoy the film with a commentary track on Hulu, Netflix, or the like.

So, getting to the meat of things: What if Criterion created a subscription option on their website? What would it look like? How much would it cost / How much would you pay? Would you pay $20-30 a month to stream as many Criterion films as you wanted? If they sweetened the deal by including complimentary access to their library of supplemental materials or exclusive content not previous available, would you pay a little more?

I certainly don’t have any inside information regarding what their plans are, but I think this is something that I would seriously consider before paying $9.95 for Hulu.

What do you think?