DC Universe to shut down movie and TV streaming features in Jan. 2021 - Android

Update: September 18, 2020 – As rumored for months, DC Universe will shut down its movie and TV show streaming options on January 21, 2021. On that date, the service will get a slight name change to DC Universe Infinite, and will only have online comic books from the DC Comics library of titles. The movies and TV shows, including the DC Universe originals, will transfer over to the HBO Max streaming service.

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

Read more: Best DC Comics TV shows and movies on HBO Max

However, the service never caught a lot of traction in terms of subscribers. In September 2020, just over two years after the official launch, the company announced that DC Universe would be losing its video content to HBO Max, and would concentrate on offering digital comics.

What was DC Universe and how did it work?

DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television hinted at a new streaming service as early as April 2017. Managed by Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group, the service would stream exclusive live-action TV shows. Other goodies included access to older live-action and animated movies and TV shows, a huge library of digital comics, and exclusive access to a members-only shop.

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

Original content

DC Daily (one season, canceled)

As the name indicates, this was a DC-focused news program with a variety of hosts.  Each episode typically lasted 20 minutes. The series was canceled in June 2020.

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

This wacky show follows a group of misfit heroes as they search for their missing mentor, Dr. Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton). The team initially includes Robotman (Brendan Fraser), Negative Man (Matt Bomer) , Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), and Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero), with Cyborg (Joivan Wade) joining the search eventually. If you’re in the mood for farting donkeys that open portals into another dimension, Doom Patrol is the show for you.

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

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

Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) voices the title character in this very adult animated series. Now out on her own, Harley Quinn joins Poison Ivy (Lake Bell) as they wreak havoc on Gotham City. The show was created by the team behind NBC’s live-action Powerless series.

As with Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn will come back for a third season as an HBO Max exclusive. You can watch the first two seasons on that service right now.

Stargirl (One season, second season coming to The CW, and later to HBO Max)

Actress Brec Bassinger takes the role of Courtney Whitmore/Stargirl in this series. She’s a high school sophomore juggling friends, family, and education while managing a team of young heroes. Her powers stem from a cosmic staff she “borrowed” from her step-father, a former sidekick.

The first season was shown on both DC Universe and The CW network. The second season will be shown only 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. It follows Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed), a CDC doctor who’s called home to investigate a deadly virus. She teams up with local scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean) to investigate the source in a local Louisiana swamp