Everything you need to know about DC’s streaming service

Update: September 18, 2020 – As rumored for months, DC Universe will end its streaming options for movies and TV shows on January 21, 2021. On that date, the service will be slightly renamed DC Universe Infinite and only online comics will be available from the DC Comics Title Library. The films and TV shows, including the originals from DC Universe, will be streamed to the HBO Max streaming service.

In 2018, Warner Bros. decided to start a new streaming service for its DC Comics library of superhero characters and stories. In addition to providing access to thousands of digital comics and classic DC movies and TV shows, DC Universe launched several animated and live-action TV series that were exclusive to the service.

Continue reading: Best DC Comics TV Shows and Movies on HBO Max

However, the service never met with much approval from subscribers. In September 2020, just over two years after it officially launched, the company announced that DC Universe would be losing its video content to HBO Max and focusing on offering digital comics.

What was DC Universe and how did it work? Job?

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television hinted at a new streaming service back in April 2017. The service, managed by the Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group, would stream exclusive live-action television shows. Other extras included access to older live-action and animated films and TV shows, a huge library of digital comics, and exclusive access to a members-only shop.

Concerned fans could pre-order the service in July 2018 and participate in a beta test the following month. The DC Universe opened to the masses on September 14, 2018.

Original content

DC Daily (one season canceled)

As the name suggests, this was a DC-focused newscast with a variety of hosts. Each episode usually lasted 20 minutes. The series was canceled in June 2020.

Doom Patrol (two seasons, season three coming to HBO Max soon)

This insane show follows a group of underdogs who are named after their missing mentor, Dr. Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton), looking. The team initially consists of Robotman (Brendan Fraser), Negative Man (Matt Bomer), Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby) and Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero), with Cyborg (Joivan Wade) eventually joining the search. If you’re in the mood for farting asses opening portals to another dimension, Doom Patrol is the show for you.

After two seasons on DC Universe, Doom Patrol will return for a third season as the exclusive HBO Max. You can now watch the first two seasons of the show on HBO Max.

Harley Quinn (Two seasons, third season comes to HBO Max)

Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) pronounces the title character in this very adult cartoon series. Harley Quinn is now solo and joins Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) as they devastate Gotham City. The show was created by the team behind NBC’s live-action series Powerless.

As with Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn will return as the exclusive HBO Max for a third season. You can watch the first two seasons of this service now.

Star girl (One season, the second season comes to The CW and later to HBO Max)

The actress Brec Bassinger takes on the role of Courtney Whitmore / Stargirl in this series. She is a sophomore high school student who balances friends, family, and education while leading a team of young heroes. Her powers come from a cosmic staff she “borrowed” from her stepfather, a former buddy.

The first season was shown on both DC Universe and the CW network. Season two will only be shown on The CW, and both seasons will eventually be added to HBO Max.

Swamp thing (one season canceled)

This was possibly the best original series on DC Universe. Next up is Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed), a CDC doctor who called home to look into a deadly virus. She is working with local scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean) to investigate the source in a local swamp in Louisiana. One thing leads to another and you have a plant-based hero and a very strange romance. Warner Bros. killed Swamp Thing before it could grow.

While the series is being canceled, the abridged first season will air on The CW this fall. It’s going to come to HBO Max at some point.

Titans (two seasons, the third season coming to HBO Max in 2021)

Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) keeps his Robin outfit in a briefcase. He’s no longer Batman’s buddy. Instead he is a detective for the Detroit Police Department who is a vigilante in the moonlight. A case leads him to Rachel Roth (Teagan Croft), a girl with demonic powers whom he now has to protect. They are finally joined by Gar (Ryan Potter), AKA Beast Boy and Starfire (Anna Diop). Titans are violent. It’s bloody. It’s not the stupid Teen Titans gang that you remember from Cartoon Network.

Two seasons will be streamed on DC Universe and both will be broadcast on HBO Max. A third season is just around the corner and will be exclusive to HBO Max.

Young justice outsider (three seasons, the fourth coming to HBO Max in 2021)

This is technically the third season of Young Justice. This animated series originally aired for two seasons on the Cartoon Network. It wasn’t extended by a third because of poor toy sales that helped finance production. The show follows a group of teenage pals and heroes, including Robin, Kid Flash, and Superboy. The theme of the third season focuses on human trafficking.

You can watch all three seasons on DC Universe, and those seasons will be broadcasting on HBO Max in the near future. The fourth season, titled Young Justice Phantoms, will appear exclusively on HBO Max when it releases in 2021.

Film and TV show library

Until it closes in January 2021, DC Universe will offer old and new seasons of DC Comics-based live-action and animated TV content. Current shows based on The CW’s Arrowverse are not available. These include Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Black Lightning, and Batwoman.

Here are some examples of live-action TV content:

• Adventures of Superman (Syndicated, 1952-1958)
• Aquaman TV Pilot (The WB, 2006)
• Birds of prey (The WB, 2002-2003)
• Constantine (NBC, 2014-2015)
• Krypton (SyFy, 2018-2020)
• Lois & Clark: The Adventures of Superman (ABC, 1993-1997)
• Shazam! (CBS, 1974 – 1976, restored and improved)
• The Flash (CBS, 1990-1991)
• Wonder Woman (ABC, CBS 1975-1979)

Here is a sample list of animated TV shows currently streamed on DC Universe:

• Batman: The Animated Series (FOX, 1992-1995)
• Batman Beyond (The WB, 1999-2001)
• Justice League (Cartoon Network, 2001-2004)
• Green Lantern: The Animated Series (Cartoon Network, 2011-2013)
• Super Friends (ABC, 1973-1985)
• Teen Titans (Cartoon Network, 2003-2006)

It’s likely that most, if not all, of the content will be broadcast on HBO Max in the near future.

Comic library

DC Universe currently offers over 20,000 digital comics. To make it easier to navigate this huge library, the platform offers three categories: Getting to Know, Storylines and Showcase. As an example of storylines, Batman: Death of the Family groups all 29 comics that span Batgirl, Catwoman, Suicide Squad, Batman, Teen Titans, and more.

Here are some of the 111 storylines you’ll find in the service:

• The Dark Knight Returns: The Entire Saga
• Infinite crisis
• Last crisis
• Superman Red Son
• The new 52: Futures End
• Crisis on infinite earths
• Batman: Knightfall
• And more!

The Showcase category does not include any storylines. Instead, comics are grouped together within a specific topic. For example, Batman vs. Superman on the comic series Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2. Twelve other comics listed depict the Kryptonian in various storylines against Gotham’s masked billionaire.

You can read them in the DC Universe app – no third-party comic book app required – on your mobile device. You can read these comics with a web browser on a desktop or laptop.

The future: DC Universe becomes DC Universe Infinite

As previously mentioned, Warner Bros announced in September 2020 that DC Universe will stop offering video streaming content on January 21, 2021. The service will be renamed DC Comics Infinite and will continue to provide access to thousands of digital comic book content. New print editions of DC Comics titles appear on the service six months after publication. It will also be home to digital-first comics and comics that can only be read on the service.

DC Universe Infinite continues to offer subscribers special access to fan events. It also offers discounts and specials from the online DC shop, as well as chances to win in sweepstakes.

On which platforms will DC Universe Infinite be available?

The service is offered on its own website and on new apps for iOS and Android devices.

Where will it be available?

The service will initially be restarted in the United States, but there are plans to expand to other countries from summer 2021.

What does DC Universe Infinite cost?

The price remains the same as the current service; $ 7.99 per month or $ 74.99 for an annual subscription.

What can current DC Universe subscribers expect in terms of promotions?

Current subscribers are offered the option to sign up for HBO Max for an additional $ 4.99 per month. Taken together, that’s still about $ 2 less than HBO Max’s current normal price of $ 14.99 per month. This offer is valid until October 30, 2020.

In addition, every current DC Universe subscriber or anyone who joins DC Universe Infinite during a special pre-order window will receive a voucher code for the DC Shop. Monthly subscribers get a $ 10 coupon while annual subscribers get a $ 25 coupon. The code will be sent on February 1st, 2021.