D.C. Universe Shutting Down?

[kemcha]

Don't know how much to say about this and I may be reading into this but after the recent news that Warner Brothers has cut Swamp Thing down from 13 episodes to just 10, there is other concerns that Warner Brothers might be ending the D.C. Universe Platform.

Actress Virginia Madsen confirmed the shut down Wednesday morning on Instagram with a post that read: “I’m beyond sad. What a terrible decision. We have been cut to the core by those who have never set foot into the Swamp. And despite the rule I am going to use the hashtag. #swampthing.”

Others have been speaking out that this could have a trickle down effect for the platform's other shows. In particular, Titans and Doom Patrol. If this is true, this could mean that AT&T, who now controls Warner Brothers, may be looking to either import the shows to their own streaming service (which is still in the development phase) or that they might be ending those shows altogether.

Either way, this doesn't look all that great for these shows. Nerdotic, a popular youtuber, has speculated that the shortened episode order for the first season, may be a portent of signs to come.

According to ComingSoon.net: a local outlet in Wilmington, North Carolina where the show is being filmed, the writers are being asked to hastily re-write the ending as Warner Bros. evaluates the future of its streaming service, DC Universe. Originally slated for 13 episodes, Swamp Thing is now whittled down to 10, hence the need for an ending re-write.

Nerdotic posited the theory that this could affect new seasons for Titans (Season 3) and Doom Patrol (Season 2). Whatever the outcome, hopefully, for the fans who enjoy these shows, that AT&T just imports them to their own streaming service. The statement that DCU is evaluating these shows going forward sounds like a typical press release from a parent company. With AT&T now calling the shots, they might be looking to reign in costs relating to Warner Brothers.

Sources:

https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1...own-production

https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/...oduction-early

[steve_dave]

Evidently not:

https://www.slashfilm.com/the-dc-uni...e-swamp-thing/

/Film has exclusively learned that the potential issues with Swamp Thing‘s production do not reflect the health of the DC Universe service. Reports from various outlets suggested that the future of DC Universe was in doubt amid the early production wrap for its latest original series. However /Film confirmed with sources close to the studio that those two topics are unrelated to each other.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by steve_dave

Evidently not:

https://www.slashfilm.com/the-dc-uni...e-swamp-thing/

Yeah that's typical PR response right there, don't pay attention to it. Of course you're gonna get an "everything is great" response until it leaks that everything isn't so great.

[Goldensuitcase]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Yeah that's typical PR response right there, don't pay attention to it. Of course you're gonna get an "everything is great" response until it leaks that everything isn't so great.

Agreed. I call BS. I know of no one outside of a few people in here who actually have the service yet are well aware and ready to get the Disney Plus.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by InuYashaCrusade

Yeah that's typical PR response right there, don't pay attention to it. Of course you're gonna get an "everything is great" response until it leaks that everything isn't so great.

There might be concerns about competing with Disney+, but I don't think it's anything to overly worry about. The app is expanding Xbox and there are still a slew of shows that are in the works.

Plus, new users have outpaced expectations.

[TsMkLg068426]

WB/DC giving up so soon fear of competition? They need to expand the DC Universe app to other devices such as Xbox before quitting so fast not sure just because they cut down on episodes means end of DC Universe plus 10 episodes better 13 lost with fillers and remember how many have signed up.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by TsMkLg068426

WB/DC giving up so soon fear of competition? They need to expand the DC Universe app to other devices such as Xbox before quitting so fast not sure just because they cut down on episodes means end of DC Universe plus 10 episodes better 13 lost with fillers and remember how many have signed up.

Xbox One is this month.

They are not quitting.

[captveg]

I imagine that the DC streaming will end up being an add-on to the AT&T/WB streaming service in the end, kinda like how Criterion Channel will be.

[kemcha]

I like the idea postulated by captveg above. I don't really believe the stuff on youtube or slashfilm, but, it's hilarious watching them all speculate about the industry. Still, it begs the question about Warner's streaming service. Ever since the first streaming service outside Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, I knew that the streaming services economic model was going to eventually nothing more than consumer fatigue. With each streaming service charging between $6-$10+, there's only so much that the average consumer can afford.

Pretty soon, it all starts adding up and starts to become much more expensive than cable or satellite TV. But, the main problem I saw was that these streaming services have all been trying to act like their television networks, releasing a single episode each week and with each network having their shows only on their service. I've watched Titans, Star Trek Discovery, The Good Fight ... but not on network television or on any streaming service.

I think the better idea is for these streaming services to band under one streaming platform and just sell a TV series season to fans at around $6-10 per season for a 10-13 episode season and possible $14.99 for a complete season. It would be a direct strong competitor to Apple's iTunes service.

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by kemcha

I think the better idea is for these streaming services to band under one streaming platform and just sell a TV series season to fans at around $6-10 per season for a 10-13 episode season and possible $14.99 for a complete season. It would be a direct strong competitor to Apple's iTunes service.

That’s Apple TV+.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by captveg

I imagine that the DC streaming will end up being an add-on to the AT&T/WB streaming service in the end, kinda like how Criterion Channel will be.

That's what I was thinking as well, it makes more sense. Disney isn't gonna release a Marvel Universe streaming service when they have their own app coming out soon. Made no sense from the start.

[unsung122212]

WB streaming service will most likely include all DC universe movies/shows, HBO content, Cinemax?, LooneyTunes and I think have some Charlie Brown content along with their Archives collection and recent stuff. The main question would be if they keep DC universe and HBO as separate service, and if they do, will they include current seasons arms they air or wait till some time after the current season's finale.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by captveg

I imagine that the DC streaming will end up being an add-on to the AT&T/WB streaming service in the end, kinda like how Criterion Channel will be.

Bingo.

[Darkstream]

Originally Posted by captveg

I imagine that the DC streaming will end up being an add-on to the AT&T/WB streaming service in the end, kinda like how Criterion Channel will be.

I expected this would happen, too. I mean, there's no Marvel Channel or Star Wars Channel -- they're both under Disney's streaming network. It makes sense that DC would be under Warner Brothers' streaming network, rather than as its own channel.

[Petey Parker]

I don't think DC Universe would shut down. They are literally in the process of adding decades worth of DC comics. If anything the media will transition to the WB service and DC Universe will stay up as comic book service, a la Marvel Unlimited.

[glennstl]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

Xbox One is this month.

They are not quitting.

Do you know what date XBox is supposed to get the DC app?

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by glennstl

Do you know what date XBox is supposed to get the DC app?

They said it was supposed to be rolling out across users starting this past Monday. I still don’t see it on my system.

EDIT - Found it by going on my console, Apps > Search apps > Type DC

Make sure you are clicking on Search apps which should be under the first large tile. The search at the top of the screen doesn’t find it.

[dcfan88]

I don't think it's shutting down. I'm sure there are reasons behind Swamp Thing having its episode order cut
If it were being shut down I doubt Titans would be shooting season TWO at the moment. Not to mention Doom Patrol has also been greenlit for a second season.

I would not be surprised if DC Universe becomes part of the WarnerMedia streaming service but if it were in peril I highly doubt they would still be shooting other shows

[Desslok]

Originally Posted by Darkstream

I expected this would happen, too. I mean, there's no Marvel Channel or Star Wars Channel -- they're both under Disney's streaming network. It makes sense that DC would be under Warner Brothers' streaming network, rather than as its own channel.

What may hurt Warner Bros. is that DC, HBO etc will likely be add-ons to their core service, while Disney has put everything (Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar) under one roof at one price.

[Darkstream]

Originally Posted by Desslok

What may hurt Warner Bros. is that DC, HBO etc will likely be add-ons to their core service, while Disney has put everything (Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar) under one roof at one price.

Yeah, it'd be kind of funny if that's what happens. Disney allows Marvel and Lucasfilms to operate under their own studios, but then combines their productions under one streaming channel --- then you have Warner Brothers, who fully controls DC Films (no separate studio), and yet they give them their own streaming channel with limited content.