When HBO launched its new streaming service, HBO Max, there was an interesting quirk involving DC Universe (DCU) content. While both are owned by Warner Media, each had unique content along with one shared series, Doom Patrol. This splintered approach was only made worse by another confusing dynamic: HBO having two other platforms, Go and Now. Warner Media had no less than four different streaming platforms to juggle its various intellectual properties. The confusion didn’t stop there, as some DC movies were leaving and coming back within weeks of HBO Max’s launch. This event mirrored what happened on Disney+ when subscribers experienced what it’s like when a company has license agreements with another and cannot stream its own content.
The Future of DC Universe
HBO Max is a few months old and growing. Warner Media has been busy either re-branding or shutting down unnecessary services. Meanwhile, this week saw huge announcements for DC Comics. Warner Media said it would be reorganizing and laying off 20 percent of the age-old comic publishing company. Taking another page from Disney+, HBO Max is also slated to absorb more content. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DC’s Jim Lee had this to say regarding the future of DCU:
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.
He did not elaborate on the exact titles that would be migrating, but it would likely be their exclusive streaming shows. To date, those are Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn, Swamp Thing, Titans, and Young Justice: Outsiders. Of those, only Swamp Thing has been canceled, but that happened last summer. Both Doom Patrol and Harley Quinn recently finished their second season. No season renewals have been announced.