Founded in 1984, the Criterion Collection has proven itself to be the one-stop-shop for cinephiles and movie lovers of all varieties. Originally offering video content to consumers via laserdisc, the Criterion Collection began publishing DVDs in 1998.

Over the last ten years, the Collection has made efforts to adapt to the new world of home video streaming. The Collection partnered with online streaming companies, like MUBI and Hulu, but could not strike a long-lasting relationship with any streaming video service. Criterion streaming seemingly found a home on FilmStruck in 2016, but following that company’s demise in December 2018, the Collection found itself yet again locked out of the streaming economy.

However, the April 8th introduction of The Criterion Channel changed all of this. criterion channel streaming

Criterion Channel Streaming

A perfect contrast to the more mainstream-focused Netflix, the Criterion Channel aims at providing content for the true movie lover.

The Criterion Channel features an increasingly large library of over 1000 films from the Criterion Collection as well as a slew of rotating content from international film studios like Sony Pictures and IFC.

Whether your taste centers around the hard-hitting American Independent cinema of the 1970s (Two-Lane Blacktop, Mikey and Nicky), the European auteurs of the 1950s and 60s (Ingmar Bergman, Jean-Luc Godard), or the comedy of Charlie Chaplin, the Criterion Channel has something for you.

While you may not be able to stream the latest Fast and the Furious movie on the Criterion Channel, the service offers abundance in its rich library, providing subscribers with access to the careers of some of cinema’s most influential creators.

criterion channel streaming

Streaming Criterion Channel with a VPN

Available on desktop browsers and through Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, iOS, and Android TV apps, the Criterion Channel is accessible on most devices. However, Criterion Channel streaming is available only in the United States and Canada. Fans looking to stream classic and independent movies can either hope for the channel’s expansion to other countries or take advantage of a Virtual Private Network.

A Virtual Private Network tunnels a user’s connection to a remote server and back. This not only encrypts their web traffic but allows them to change their geo-location. If you are located outside of Canada or America, connecting to a VPN server in the United States will open the door to accessing the Criterion Channel.

 

Subscribing to one of these services grants users access to servers around the world. Connecting to one of these VPN servers will encrypt your connection and unblock the Criterion Channel from anywhere.

For example, say someone in Germany wants to watch their favorite Kurosawa film. With a VPN, they can change their virtual location to the US, log into the Criterion Channel, and watch the film as if they were in the US.

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Criterion Channel Streaming With a VPN Router

If you are planning on viewing Criterion Channel streaming via VPN on a Roku or Smart TV, you will have to use a FlashRouter, as these devices have no native VPN support.

A FlashRouter is a router that has been flashed with Open Source firmware. Flashing a router with Open Source firmware removes any bugs or backdoors found in the router’s factory settings and opens the door for the device to be used as a tunnel to the VPN server of your choice.

Recommend devices for streaming with VPN include:

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Criterion Channel Streaming with the FlashRouters Privacy App

Every DD-WRT FlashRouter comes with a free FlashRouters Privacy App. The FlashRouters Privacy App revolutionizes and simplifies using a DD-WRT router with a VPN.

With the Privacy App, users can:

  • Switch between locations with the tap of a button
  • Manage which devices go through the VPN and which don’t
  • Change VPN Providers with a few clicks on the same device

Want better support for your entire network? The FlashRouters Privacy App is here to help!

Have more questions on unlocking access Criterion Channel streaming in 2019? Contact us!