In June 2020, WarnerMedia began to phase out DC Universe in favor of its new flagship streaming service HBO Max, initially by offering a promotional offer via DC Universe for new subscribers. DC Universe was relaunched as DC Universe Infinite—which is solely a digital comics subscription service—on January 21, 2021. DC Universe's original series and future streaming productions were moved to HBO Max and became Max Originals.
History and development
In April 2017, DC Universe was announced as an untitled service with original television programming,[4] with its title revealed a year later in May.[5] The next month, the features of the service beyond original programming were revealed, including access to older DC live-action and animated films and animated series for a select period of time, a rotating selection of comics, forum discussion space, a merchandise store, and DC encyclopedia.[6][7] Sam Ades, the general manager and senior vice-president at Warner Bros. Digital Network, managed the service.[7]
In May 2020, WarnerMedia launched a new streaming service, HBO Max. The following month, DC Universe subscribers became eligible for a promotional discount on HBO Max for new subscribers.[14] At the end of July, DC Universe no longer offered the yearly subscription option for the service.[15] In August, DC Comics publisher Jim Lee revealed that all original programming would be migrated over to HBO Max. Speaking to the community aspect of DC Universe, as well as the ability to access the backlog of comics titles, Lee said "there is always going to be a need for that" and that DC was looking at ways to transform the platform so that content would not go away.[16]
Sibling broadcast network The CW (which has carried its "Arrowverse" dramas adapted from DC Comics characters) has also carried selected DC Universe programs, including Stargirl (which aired new episodes on The CW on a one-day delay from its release on DC Universe),[17] and Swamp Thing (acquired for its 2020 fall schedule, amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States).[18]
DC announced in September 2020 that the service would change its name to DC Universe Infinite and become solely a digital comics subscription service on January 21, 2021. DC Universe subscriptions would automatically transfer over to DC Universe Infinite.[19]Young Justice seasons 1–4, Titans season 1–3, Doom Patrol seasons 1–3, the first season of Stargirl, and Harley Quinn seasons 1–3 moved to HBO Max to become Max Original series, with new DC series and "key DC classics" also being available there.[20]Stargirl was renewed exclusively by The CW for a second season.[21]
Availability
DC Universe launched in the U.S. on September 15, 2018,[22] and was available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Xbox One in addition to web and mobile web access.[7] Each subscription to DC Universe could be used on two devices at a time.[23] Pre-orders for the streaming service became available starting on July 19,[24] while an early beta-version was made available to select users in August.[6][25] Live-action series were produced in 4K with HDR.[26]
Episodes aired the next day on The CW.[17] Renewed by The CW for a second season which aired exclusively on the network.[21] The first season became available on HBO Max when the service changed to DC Universe Infinite.[20]
BizarroTV, an anthology series, was announced in October 2019 as being in development, and had an expected release date in 2020.[39] It was unclear if it would have migrated to an HBO Max Original series when the service became DC Universe Infinite.[20][better source needed]