Along with more than 1,000 culturally significant classic and modern films, the platform will offer Criteron's highly regarded special features (such as interviews and commentary tracks from filmmakers and experts), weekly programming and a "15-minute-a-month film school."

We're so excited! The Criterion Channel, our new streaming service for movie lovers, will launch April 8 in the U.S. & Canada! As a Charter Subscriber, you can start watching *right now* with our Movie of the Week series! Come join us! ✨📺 https://t.co/UjYZMW1W3c pic.twitter.com/bPHA9hwSA3 — Criterion Channel (@criterionchannl) January 30, 2019

Those who sign up early receive a number of benefits, including lower pricing ($10/month or $90/year instead of $11/month or $100/year), concierge customer service, a holiday gift certificate and an extended 30-day free trial. Until Criterion Channel debuts, they can also whet their appetites (and presumably stress test the new platform) starting today with a movie of the week. First up is 1976 gangster flick Mikey and Nicky.

FilmStuck previously housed Criterion's streaming library, but that service shut down in November as owner WarnerMedia swung the ax on its niche streaming platforms. Criterion initially looked for a new online home for its movies before deciding to create its own. That said, Criterion's library will also be available on WarnerMedia's streaming service when that arrives, supposedly sometime this year.