Customer Reviews (500)

Jakereedngks • 2025-03-28T19:23:59-07:00

I watch the player on repeat. I am hoping that Robert Altman will apear eventually kinda like Bloody Mary.

lilkibby68 • 2025-03-28T18:27:06-07:00

So many incredible films! Amadeus, Werckmeister Harmonies, I Am Cuba, Farewell My Concubine, Seven Samurai, All We Imagine As Light, Drive My Car, and Mulholland Drive are just some of the selections of masterpieces on this service!

jgibz226 • 2025-03-28T11:11:22-07:00

I love this app!! It has such great selections!

Summary of Key Insights

The Criterion Channel app is highly regarded by its users, particularly cinephiles, for its curated selection of classic, international, and independent films. Users consistently praise the quality and breadth of the content, often comparing it favorably to other streaming services that rely on algorithms and lack human curation. The app's key strengths lie in its curated content, the availability of supplemental features (commentaries, interviews), and the absence of ads. However, recurring complaints center around technical issues, particularly with offline playback and occasional crashes, as well as feature requests for improved search functionality and device compatibility. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, reflected in the high number of 5-star reviews.

  • Overall Rating: Excellent, based on review distribution.
  • Key Strengths: Curated content, diverse film selection, supplemental features, ad-free viewing.
  • Key Weaknesses: Technical issues (offline playback, crashes), limited search functionality, device compatibility issues.
  • Overall Sentiment: Highly positive.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 88.8% (444 reviews)
    • 4-star: 3.6% (18 reviews)
    • 3-star: 1.4% (7 reviews)
    • 2-star: 1.6% (8 reviews)
    • 1-star: 4.6% (23 reviews)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews appear to be from the app's launch to the present (late 2024 based on review text).
  • Analysis Methods: Qualitative analysis focusing on identifying recurring themes, sentiment expressed, feature requests, and reported issues. Keyword extraction was used to identify common topics.

Key User Pain Points

  • Offline Playback Issues: A significant number of users report that downloaded movies often fail to play offline, defeating the purpose of the download feature. This is a major source of frustration for users who want to watch content during commutes or travel.
  • App Crashes: Several users report that the app crashes periodically, interrupting their viewing experience.
  • Limited Search Functionality: Users frequently request improved search and filtering options, such as by genre, decade, country, or aspect ratio. The current search functionality is considered inadequate for navigating the large content library.
  • Device Compatibility Issues: Some users report issues with AirPlay, Chromecast, and specific TV models (e.g., LG, Samsung), indicating a need for broader device support and optimized performance.
  • "Resume Watching" Issues: Some users report that the "Resume Watching" feature is broken or doesn't function correctly, failing to accurately track viewing progress.
  • Login Issues: Some users report frequently needing to log in across devices.
  • Difficulty Cancelling Subscription: One user reported difficulty cancelling their subscription.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Search and Filtering: Genre, decade, country, aspect ratio, runtime, and other filters.
  • Full List of Available Movies: A comprehensive list of all films available on the service, rather than relying solely on curated selections.
  • 10-Second Forward/Backward Buttons: For easier navigation within a film.
  • SharePlay Support: To enable shared viewing experiences with friends and family.
  • 4K Streaming: For higher-quality viewing on compatible devices.
  • Integration with Apple TV's "Up Next" Feature: To track watched content on the Apple TV platform.
  • Details on "Live" Channel Films: Displaying the title of the currently playing film on the live channel.
  • More Trailers: Adding trailers for films that are currently missing them.
  • Movie Watched Tracking: A feature to track movies that have been watched.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Curated Content: Users consistently praise the expertly curated selection of films, emphasizing the value of human curation over algorithmic recommendations.
  • Diverse Film Selection: The app offers a wide range of genres, eras, and countries, including classic Hollywood, international cinema, independent films, and documentaries.
  • Supplemental Features: The availability of audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, scholarly analyses, and interviews is highly valued by users.
  • Ad-Free Viewing: Users appreciate the absence of advertisements, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app easy to navigate and use, although some suggest improvements to the search functionality.
  • High-Quality Streaming: Users generally report good video and audio quality.
  • Good Value for Money: Many users consider the subscription price to be reasonable, given the quality and quantity of content.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Offline Playback Issues: Investigate and resolve the issues preventing downloaded movies from playing offline. This is a critical bug that significantly impacts the user experience.
  • Address App Crashes: Identify and fix the causes of app crashes to improve stability and reliability.
  • Improve Search Functionality: Implement more comprehensive search and filtering options to help users find specific films within the large library.

Medium Priority:

  • Expand Device Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with a wider range of devices, including specific TV models (LG, Samsung) and streaming devices (Chromecast).
  • Implement 10-Second Forward/Backward Buttons: Add these buttons for easier navigation within films.
  • Improve "Resume Watching" Functionality: Fix any bugs or inconsistencies in the "Resume Watching" feature.
  • Investigate Login Issues: Address reports of frequently needing to log in across devices.

Low Priority:

  • Add SharePlay Support: Implement SharePlay support to enable shared viewing experiences.
  • Add 4K Streaming: Offer 4K streaming for compatible content and devices.
  • Integrate with Apple TV's "Up Next" Feature: Integrate with Apple TV's "Up Next" feature.
  • Add Details on "Live" Channel Films: Display the title of the currently playing film on the live channel.
  • Add More Trailers: Add trailers for films that are currently missing them.
  • Implement Movie Watched Tracking: Add a feature to track movies that have been watched.
  • Improve cancellation process: Ensure the cancellation process is clear and easy to follow.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Film Recommendation Engine (with a Twist): While users appreciate the human curation of Criterion, an AI engine could be developed that complements the curation. Instead of recommending similar films based on viewing history, it could suggest films that broaden the user's horizons based on their stated preferences (e.g., "Recommend a French New Wave film that is stylistically different from what I've watched before"). This avoids the echo chamber effect of typical recommendation algorithms.
  • Criterion Channel Companion App: A separate app that acts as a companion to the main streaming app. This companion app could offer features like:
    • Advanced Search and Filtering: With more granular options than the main app.
    • Community Features: Allowing users to discuss films, share watchlists, and create their own curated collections.
    • Offline Download Management: A dedicated interface for managing downloaded content and troubleshooting offline playback issues.
  • Criterion Channel-Integrated Hardware: A streaming device pre-loaded with the Criterion Channel app and optimized for the service. This could address device compatibility issues and provide a seamless viewing experience.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Brand Loyalty: Users express a strong affinity for the Criterion brand and its commitment to quality cinema.
  • Value of Curation: The emphasis on human curation is a key differentiator and a major selling point for the app.
  • Technical Issues as a Recurring Theme: Despite the overall positive sentiment, technical issues consistently emerge as a source of frustration.
  • Desire for More Control and Customization: Users want more control over how they discover and manage content within the app.

Conclusion

The Criterion Channel app is a valuable resource for film lovers, offering a curated selection of high-quality cinema and supplemental features. While the app enjoys strong user satisfaction, addressing the recurring technical issues and implementing requested features would significantly enhance the user experience and solidify its position as the leading streaming service for cinephiles. Focus on improving offline playback reliability, search functionality, and device compatibility.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-criterion-channel/id1454275199?uo=2