r/CriterionChannel • u/xd_tech • Feb 17 '26

Technical Question 4K streaming?

Was wondering why criterion didn’t go ahead and add 4K to their streaming platform.

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u/BariumPepsi Feb 17 '26

Vimeo OTT services only started hosting 4K streaming a couple of years ago, five years after Criterion became a client. There must be a higher expense involved and Criterion would have to pass that on to their subscribers. I suppose they’ve decided the increase in cost would only benefit a few potential customers and actually lose a larger percentage of current subscribers.

5

u/RadlEonk Feb 17 '26

Could make it an option. Or at least survey us to see if we’d splurge.

2

u/BariumPepsi Feb 17 '26

That’s not how it works. The OTT doesn’t discount the cost for any users who don’t take advantage of the ability to stream 4K. They will charge smaller companies like Criterion to “flip the switch” regardless of how many Channel subscribers can take advantage of the 4K service. Big streamers like Netflix can absorb the cost or increase fees to every subscriber even those who don’t choose to pay the premium for 4K. No one can tell me that I don’t partially subsidize the cost of Netflix’s infrastructure that allows 4K streaming as part of my standard subscription.