'DC Universe' Digital Streaming Service Entering Beta in August, Coming to iOS and tvOS [Updated With Pricing]

[MacRumors]

DC Comics today revealed new details about its upcoming "DC Universe" streaming platform, which will hit iOS and tvOS devices this fall. Before that time, the company will launch a beta of the platform in August, allowing a small group of users to test out DC Universe before a wide rollout.

The main draw of the service will be exclusive TV shows that feature popular DC characters, including live action shows like Titans, Doom Patrol, and Swamp Thing, and animated series like Young Justice: Outsiders and Harley Quinn.

Existing DC films and TV shows will also be available on DC Universe, like Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, the original Christopher Reeve Superman movies, Lois and Clark, and Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman series, available for the first time in HD.

"DC UNIVERSE is so much more than a streaming service. It's a welcoming place for everyone to immerse themselves in their own level of DC fandom, with the epic characters, stories, and experiences they have come to expect from DC," said Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher, DC Entertainment.

"We are investing in and creating original, high-quality shows including the new Titans series, and curating the most beloved nostalgic content, while at the same time elevating the comic reading experience to new heights. Nothing this robust has ever been offered to fans before."

Additionally, DC revealed that DC Universe will house more than just TV shows and movies, but also include comics, a merchandise shop, community forums, an interactive encyclopedia of DC characters, and more. Comics will include both modern and classic digital series, from Action Comics #1 and the first appearance of Superman to the recent "Rebirth" event -- and even support reading on big screen apps like Apple TV.

Members of DC UNIVERSE can:

WATCH exclusive originals and classic favorites;
READ from an extensive list of curated comic books;
CONNECT with the DC community;
EXPLORE the latest breaking news and the ever-expanding DC encyclopedia;
WIN premium rewards and participate in sweepstakes and contests;
SHOP for exclusive merchandise.

As of now, DC has not hinted at how much subscribers will be paying monthly for DC Universe. The platform will be entering a heavily saturated market of streaming services (soon to include Apple), but its focus on popular characters in the DC canon should prove to be favorable and worth a monthly subscription for some users.

Disney is also planning its own streaming service for launch at the end of 2018, which is rumored to bundle Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Walt Disney Animation Studios content under one monthly price. After Disney announced it will remove its TV shows and films from Netflix beginning this year, rumors swirled that Marvel would be getting its own dedicated service -- like DC Universe -- but Disney CEO Bob Iger quickly denied those rumors and confirmed Marvel will be found alongside Disney's content in the upcoming streaming app.

For DC Universe, the service will launch on desktop, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Google Chromecast this fall, and those interested can sign up to be among the first to receive beta news on the company's website.

Comic-Con Update: Warner Bros. has announced that DC Universe will cost $74.99 per year or $7.99 per month, and users are now available to pre-order their subscriptions for the service at the $74.99 annual fee. Anyone who chooses to pre-order before launch will also get an additional three months of DC Universe at no cost.

Article Link: 'DC Universe' Digital Streaming Service Entering Beta in August, Coming to iOS and tvOS [Updated With Pricing]

 

[Will.O.Bie]

As a lifelong DC fan, I have been very disappointed with them in terms of competing with Marvel. They have kicked our behinds for years now and much credit and respect to them for building an even bigger fan base with their productions. I hope this is a step in that direction in getting their act together and put out great DC tv, movie, and streaming products DC fans would be proud to defend.

 

[Kal El]

US only. What about all us UK fans?

 

[Westside guy]

Seems like something I might subscribe to for a month, binge watch everything I'm interested in, and then cancel.

 

[Corsig]

I’m very hopeful this is going to be a DC comic fans dream come true. So far the original programs look good but what’s on paper versus reality is different. Please don’t disappoint again...

Oh having access to digital comics is also a nice draw

 

[Giantscruz]

I'm in for this day one. I would love to be a part of the beta! DC is clearly behind when it comes to the big screen, but has always been able to maintain a lead when it comes to TV imo.

 

[makingdots]

... DC fans would be proud to defend.

No need to defend. Just enjoy what you love and just try to enjoy both universe. I actually find it silly for humans to choose a team or a side and defend it hard like they really a part of it - not only in comics, even in tech, sports, etc...

I mean, for example in sports. They only choose a team. They didn't contribute anything to make them win but they cheer and diss other people like they really did something to make their team win. You know, even their water/towel boy who contributed a bit, is not that happy as much as those kind of fans. Silly right?

 

[SAIRUS]

Heard their apps only work in dark mode.

 

[panjandrum]

No need to defend. Just enjoy what you love and just try to enjoy both universe. I actually find it silly for humans to choose a team or a side and defend it hard like they really a part of it - not only in comics, even in tech, sports, etc...

I mean, for example in sports. They only choose a team. They didn't contribute anything to make them win but they cheer and diss other people like they really did something to make their team win. You know, even their water/towel boy who contributed a bit, is not that happy as much as those kind of fans. Silly right?

For fun and profit (well, no, not unless people bribe you to stop your behavior) try rooting for whichever team is behind, no matter who they are. I do that whenever I've somehow gotten myself stuck in a group sport-watching scenario. It's truly a blast.

As for DC vs. Marvel, Corvette vs. Porsche, etc. etc. etc. I completely agree that exhibiting this type of tribal-behavior does nothing but reduce happiness in the world, whether it is you own or that of others.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Heard their apps only work in dark mode.

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[69Mustang]

No need to defend. Just enjoy what you love and just try to enjoy both universe. I actually find it silly for humans to choose a team or a side and defend it hard like they really a part of it - not only in comics, even in tech, sports, etc...

I mean, for example in sports. They only choose a team. They didn't contribute anything to make them win but they cheer and diss other people like they really did something to make their team win. You know, even their water/towel boy who contributed a bit, is not that happy as much as those kind of fans. Silly right?

It's human nature. To act otherwise is aberrant behavior. Depending on the level of fandom, some would say it's abhorrent behavior.

 

[smetvid]

Wait isn’t the DC universe already streaming on the CW?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Still amazes me that people are willing to shun physical media and pay $10-15 a month for seperate digital services. If you wanted Netflix, Amazon and the likes of DC, Disney... that’s like $40 a month lol.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

No need to defend. Just enjoy what you love and just try to enjoy both universe. I actually find it silly for humans to choose a team or a side and defend it hard like they really a part of it - not only in comics, even in tech, sports, etc...

I mean, for example in sports. They only choose a team. They didn't contribute anything to make them win but they cheer and diss other people like they really did something to make their team win. You know, even their water/towel boy who contributed a bit, is not that happy as much as those kind of fans. Silly right?

I agree and get your point but some people get pretty competitive with things they are passionate about. You're correct that what people say don't directly contribute to the eventual result of the product but you are equally as passionate about it as the other person you are having that discussion with. Some people take it to the next level and be jerks about it but some are just as passionate but not turn into beer guzzling jackarses and pretend like they discovered a new country and are claiming it as supreme to everyone else, I get it.

 

[roar08]

No need to defend. Just enjoy what you love and just try to enjoy both universe. I actually find it silly for humans to choose a team or a side and defend it hard like they really a part of it - not only in comics, even in tech, sports, etc...

I mean, for example in sports. They only choose a team. They didn't contribute anything to make them win but they cheer and diss other people like they really did something to make their team win. You know, even their water/towel boy who contributed a bit, is not that happy as much as those kind of fans. Silly right?

This. The majority (maybe all) of news media wants us to believe weighing in on any topic or issue requires complete polarization to such an extreme degree that simple disagreement is an act of hatred. This dynamic has bled into virtually all aspects of life, even into something as relatively mundane as MacRumors. I know some very intelligent people who have sacrificed critical thinking for letting their truth be governed almost exclusively by commercial news outlets. Silly indeed.

 

[star-affinity]

It's human nature. To act otherwise is aberrant behavior. Depending on the level of fandom, some would say it's abhorrent behavior.

I guess you're right, but I think a lot of the problems humanity face is because of the seemingly common lacking ability to try and think outside one's own head.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

This. The majority (maybe all) of news media wants us to believe weighing in on any topic or issue requires complete polarization to such an extreme degree that simple disagreement is an act of hatred. I know some very intelligent people who have sacrificed critical thinking for letting their truth be governed almost exclusively by commercial news outlets. Silly indeed.

Totally agree with you...It's hard to find healthy debates of subjects you are passionate about without being vilified as a hater. Just because I disagree with someone doesn't mean he/she is wrong. I have full respect to people who present their argument and prove me wrong. Sometimes, misinformation is the root of most disagreements and claiming their "truth" is THE truth. Especially, now in the US, you cannot disagree with someone's point of view without being branded by all sorts of things.

 

[2010mini]

Wait isn’t the DC universe already streaming on the CW?

Yes. WB owns CW. WB also owns DC comics.

 

[Jimmy James]

Moving from physical media to streaming service was a great move. Moving streaming to so many platforms with exclusive content is terrible.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

No mention of the all their television shows that average a 0.3 rating at all. No mention of paying $10/month for content that would get canceled on any network other than the CW. Good luck DC!
[doublepost=1530208659][/doublepost]

...Corvette vs. Porsche...

Wha...

Where on Earth is this a thing?

(Coke v Pepsi, Xbox v Playstation, Corvette v Porsche... you know all those classic rivalries we all hear about)

(cat person v dog person, yankees v red sox, east coast v west coast hip hop, pirates v ninjas... how hard is it to come up with a decent analogy for this)

(even sticking to vehicles: ford v chevy, ferrari v lambo... I could do this all day)

 

[TraceyS/FL]

My daughter wil want this... me? Don’t want another service and $10 payment.

 

[tonyr6]

Still amazes me that people are willing to shun physical media and pay $10-15 a month for seperate digital services. If you wanted Netflix, Amazon and the likes of DC, Disney... that’s like $40 a month lol.

Blame Netflix for that. They don't want to pay for licensed content but rather waste money on terrible original content which is why we have all of these extra streaming services.

I will however try this out when it comes. I just hope the video quality is at least 1080p.

 

[macduke]

So mostly nostalgia programming with a side of crappy TV shows and recent bombed movies? The only good DC thing I've seen in ages was Wonder Woman which was only about as good as the lower MCU movies.

 

[EdT]

I wouldn’t mind being able to watch Batman the Animated Series but I already own the Nolan Batman trilogy and other than the first Burton Batman I’m not interested in any of the other Batman movies. None of the Superman shows, movies or tv or animated really interest me. Tried watching Gotham but it never gelled for me. Probably going to pass on this.

 

[tonyr6]

I was wondering why the original Wonder Woman did not go onto Prime Video. It stinks but I will still sign up for this service as I like most DC content.