The original content of DC Universe – a list that includes Titans, Swamp Thing, Stargirl, en Young justice – is on his way to HBO Max, according to DC creative officer and publisher Jim Lee in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The news comes as WarnerMedia is in the process of a major reorganization at DC Comics, which was also hit by a wave of layoffs this week.
Writing has been on the wall since DC Universe (at least in its current form) since HBO launched Max. Fragmenting content from one of WarnerMedia’s strongest brands across two streaming services and expecting fans to be willing to shell out both $ 14.99 a month for HBO Max and $ 7.99 a month for DC Universe was never a realistic strategy.
There were also signs that the end was near: two of DC Universe’s most popular shows (Doompatrol and the animated Harley Quinn) are already available on HBO Max. The highly anticipated Snyder Cut fan Justice League was announced as an HBO Max exclusive. And when WarnerMedia announced a new spinoff series from the upcoming Matt Reeves The Batman, it was for HBO Max, not the DC-oriented service.
It also makes sense: all that original and backcatalog content currently offered on DC Universe will still be just as exclusive to WarnerMedia on HBO Max, and it may help to encourage more customers to sign up for the service. However, it is not yet clear when the next changes for DC Universe will happen.
Lee notes that DC Universe is likely to place in some capacity for its comic book and community, if not for DC movies and TV shows. “As for the community and experience that DCU created, and all the content of the backlist, some 20,000 to 25,000 different titles, and the way it connects with fans 24-7, there will always be a need of being, “noted Lee. ‘That we are excited to transform it and we will have more news on what it will look like. It is definitely not going away. ”
