Critical Role Announces New Streaming Service, Premium Shows, and More

Critical Role just announced Beacon, its new membership and streaming service that includes exclusive bonus content, early access to shows, and other premium perks. Run by Critical Role directly, this new service does not replace existing options like Twitch or YouTube, but is a different platform through which fans can support the company and its Dungeons and Dragons actual play shows.

After getting its start through Geek & Sundry in 2015, Critical Role Productions fully split off from parent company Legendary Digital Networks in 2019 and became an independent multimedia group. Since then, it has launched other Critical Role trade names, including Darrington Press, Metapigeon, and the Critical Role Foundation.

Now, Critical Role has officially revealed its own independent streaming service. Named after the Luxon Beacons from the campaign, Beacon is a new one-stop shop for all things Critical Role. Subscribers gain access to all content on the site, including same day access toCritical Role VODs and podcasts, early access to live show tickets and new shows like Critical Role Abridged, Re-Slayers Take, and Midst, and exclusive access to Critical Role Cooldown and Fireside Chats, two new talk-back shows. Members also get a 10% discount at all Critical Role online shops, as well as access to a special Discord server.

According to the Critical Role cast, Beacon is the most direct way fans can support the show. Likened to a Patreon without Patreon, Beacon cuts out other corporations from the equation in a way reminiscent of Dimension 20’s Dropout. That said, while Beacon seems like the new go-to for supporting Critical Role, fans will still be able to watch their shows on YouTube and Twitch, and subscribe on either service.

Were that not exciting enough, Critical Role also announced a Bells Hells live show in Los Angeles on June 15. Featuring a 45-minute Q&A pre-show moderated by Dropout’s Brennan Lee Mulligan, subscribers to Beacon will get early access to ticket sales