WarnerMedia closes streamer DC Universe, moves content to HBO Max

Doom Patrol

WarnerMedia is closing its superhero streamer DC Universe and rebranding it as a comic book subscription service, with all video leaving the platform and moving to sibling HBO Max.

DC Universe will be rebranded as DC Universe Infinite from January, with a sole focus on a library of more than 24,000 comic books. WarnerMedia’s recently launched streamer HBO Max will become the exclusive US streaming home of DC content.

The move had been expected after DC Universe’s most acclaimed series, Doom Patrol, was repackaged as an HBO Max original for its second season earlier this year.

The company confirmed that the DC content on HBO Max will include new DC series, key DC classics and DC Universe originals like Young Justice, Titans and DC’s Stargirl, along with recently renewed adult animated series Harley Quinn.

In an effort to ease the transition while keeping subscribers to both platforms, Warner is offering DC Universe subscribers access to HBO Max for $4.99 per month in addition to the $7.99 DC Universe fee. HBO Max typically costs $14.99 per month.

While the writing may have been on the wall for DC Universe following the launch of HBO Max, Warner’s hand may have been swayed by the overwhelming success of Disney+ – a streaming service which has Marvel content central to its offer, including the upcoming Wandavision original series.

HBO Max, meanwhile, launched with a dedicated DC hub but saw some curious content omissions such as 2013’s Man Of Steel – the Superman movie that effectively kicked off DC’s cinematic universe series.