The current state of DC Universe is rather bleak after the ending to Harley Quinn season 1. DC’s streaming service launched in 2018 under a wave of hype, but despite five original series of varying success, may have now eclipsed its need to exist - at least when it comes to TV shows.
DC Universe currently offers five original shows: Swamp Thing, Titans, Doom Patrol, Harley Quinn, and Young Justice: Outsiders (a revived version of Cartoon Network’s Young Justice series). And although Swamp Thing was cancelled after just one episode, Titans, Doom Patrol and Harley Quinn are all getting new seasons, while a sixth show will join the lineup when Stargirl premieres in the spring of this year on DC Universe and The CW. A game show called DC Universe All-Stars is also on its slate, along with Bizarro TV, an anthology series expected to explore obscure DC superheroes. Although Warner Bros. hasn’t released official viewing figures for any of these shows, third-party data shows that Titans especially is very popular.
But despite that, DC Universe doesn’t stand as a powerhouse alongside rival services. Swamp Thing’s immediate failure shows the strange corporate setup the shows are all placed in, but it’s more about that key exclusivity. Stargirl will premiere on The CW, although the real wrinkle is HBO Max, which launches in May. Warners’ streaming service has a number of their own DC shows planned, with its biggest being Green Lantern, but will also see DC Universe shows added: Doom Patrol season 2 is expected to premiere on DC Universe and HBO Max.
DC Universe was never going to be a full home to all DC media. New movies would always premiere in theaters (and DCEU outings aren’t part of the package) and the Arrowverse’s home is on The CW. but it seems that even what the streaming service laid a distinct claim to is not going to be there exclusively. It’s been said that the relationship between the two services is still being worked out [via THR]. Warner Bros. could end up deciding to put its DC Universe and HBO Max shows together on one platform.
DC Universe was always a niche, fan-focused service that wasn’t trying for the same market saturation as Disney+ (which hosts Marvel movies and has upcoming shows on its release slate). And it must be said the value isn’t just in original programming, but an immense comics library and back catalogue. It’s too soon to say the service is truly defunct, but its position as a dominant home for DC originals is certainly in doubt.
UPDATED: An earlier version of this article didn’t include various aspects of DC Universe’s future, such as the comics library and back catalogue.
More: Harley Quinn Season 1 Finale Ending & Biggest Questions Explained
