Is The Criterion Channel available on Roku?

(Image credit: Roku)

Roku devices and TVs are popular choices for consumers to access different entertainment platforms, but does that include The Criterion Channel? The streaming service designed specifically for the film buff, can you start watching The Criterion Channel on any/all Roku devices?

Is The Criterion Channel available on Roku?

To be brief about it, yes, The Criterion Channel is available on Roku, depending on what model you have.

Roku third generation devices and higher can support 1080p playback of The Criterion Channel content; Roku 4 and higher can support 4K playback. If you have a Roku device older than third generation than The Criterion Channel will not work on it.

If you want to start watching The Criterion Channel streaming service on your Roku is adding the Roku channel version of the streaming service to your device. Then open the channel and follow these steps to login:

Click "Sign In," which will then give you an activation code
On a different device (computer or phone), visit the Activate page & login (if you are not)
Enter the code from the Roku channel and click "Activate"
The The Criterion Channel channel should load and you are all set to watch

If you are not yet a subscriber to The Criterion Channel, you can sign up for the streaming service directly through Roku once you by following these steps:

Add the The Criterion Channel Roku channel to your Roku
Open the The Criterion Channel Roku channel on your Roku and click "Subscribe"
Select "Monthly" or "Annual" (when available)
Enter your payment information and confirm the subscription
You will then be able to watch immediately and will get emailed a link to watch on your computer and other devices

And just like that, you can start watching all of the classic movies available on The Criterion Channel on your Roku device.

Note, if you subscribe through Roku and eventually want to cancel your Criterion Channel subscription, you are going to need to do so through Roku.

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Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.

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