The recent shake-up at WarnerMedia has left consumers with a number of questions regarding DC Comics, especially when it comes to the future of the DC Universe streaming service. The streamer’s fate had already been in doubt for some time but, with most of its staff having reportedly been laid off, fans are more curious than ever about what lies ahead for it. Now, DC Comics publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee has provided some clarity on what to expect from the service moving forward.
The last few months have seen DC Universe originals like Doom Patrol and Stargirl move to new homes, and Lee has now confirmed that the service’s remaining shows will be moving to HBO Max:
The original content that is on DCU is migrating to HBO Max. Truthfully, that’s the best platform for that content. The amount of content you get, not just DC , but generally from WarnerMedia, is huge and it’s the best value proposition, if I’m allowed to use that marketing term. We feel that is the place for that.
The second season of Doom Patrol simultaneously aired on DC Universe and HBO Max, though many believed the latter could become the show’s permanent home. The show has found success on the platform, so one can understand why DC would feel the need to move other shows like Titans and Harley Quinn.
Despite this, Jim Lee also told The Hollywood Reporter that DC Universe, is “definitely not going away,” citing its hefty library of comic book content as a major reason for the service’s continued viability:
In regards to the community and experience that DCU created, and all the backlist content, something like 20.000 to 25,000 different titles, and the way it connected with fans 24-7, there is always going to be a need for that. So we’re excited to transform it and we’ll have more news on what that will look like. It’s definitely not going away.
DC Universe’s seemingly limitless number of comic book titles has been praised by fans, with many taking advantage of the diversity in content to better acquaint themselves with DC lore. So based on Lee’s comments, it sounds like WarnerMedia would like to continue to capitalize on this aspect of the service, especially as the company moves towards more digital comics content.
Still, one has to wonder if WarnerMedia would consider reconfiguring DC Universe as a comics-based service, given that its original content is gone. Sure, the service does still have movies and classic TV shows, but those could theoretically be moved to HBO Max as well.
It’s difficult to say how things will ultimately pan out, but fans can at least breathe a sigh of relief knowing that DC Universe isn’t going anywhere in the immediate future.
