We’ve known for some time that DC Comics has been preparing its own digital streaming service, but today, the company revealed that the platform will go far beyond just TV shows. DC Universe isn’t a streaming platform so much as a subscription service for all things DC, including comics, TV shows, and movies. A beta version will be going live this August. The new original TV shows that will premiere on the service have already been announced: the live-action Titans is scheduled to debut later this year, with Swamp Thing and Doom Patrol scheduled for 2019. On the animated side, the third season of Young Justice: Outsiders and the new Harley Quinn series will debut in 2019, as well. But DC Universe will also feature other films and TV shows featuring DC Comics characters, including movies like Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, the four original Christopher Reeve Superman films, and TV shows like Lois and Clark and the Lynda Carter series Wonder Woman. Conspicuously missing are more recent DC film adaptations such as Man of Steel, Justice League, Suicide Squad, and Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman. Given that several of those films underwhelmed fans, however, that could be considered a feature rather than a bug. DC Universe will also be offering up many of the company’s animated films — Batman: Year One and Gotham by Gaslight are two of the titles mentioned — but what could make the service stand out is its selection of comics. At this point, the details are a little fuzzy as to which titles will be available. According to press materials, DC Universe will offer “a rotating, curated selection of digital comics” that will include various titles, stretching back to the introduction of Superman in the 1930s. The service will be available on the web as well as on phones, tablets, and TV screens, with support planned for iOS and Android devices, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. The complete service will launch this fall, but those interested in getting a sneak peek can sign up to be part of the August beta release at the DC Universe website. The idea of a subscription service dedicated to a specific brand or intellectual property isn’t new: MGM launched a Stargate service last year, and Disney is currently readying its own streaming service, which will be home to Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar shows and movies. But DC Universe’s ability to bring together so many different types of content, created across decades, does make it a unique proposition for hardcore fans of its characters. Whether the service will be successful, however, will no doubt come down to two things: pricing, which has yet to be announced, and whether the new original TV shows will be strong enough to draw those subscribers who want more than just legacy content.<doc-sep>DC has today announced a new streaming service called DC Universe that it hopes will deliver “a deeply engaging experience” for its fans. In addition to new original content, the service will feature video, news, comics, a DC encyclopedia, a members-only collectibles shop, and more. Announced in a blog post, DC is looking to give members of the upcoming service a unique and tailored experience. Here’s how the company describes DC Universe: DC UNIVERSE is a first-of-its kind digital subscription service that gives fans access to exclusive content and experiences not available anywhere else. With membership, fans will enjoy all-new original live-action and animated series, classic TV series and films, a curated selection of digital comic books, breaking news, an expansive DC-centric encyclopedia, and access to exclusive merchandise. Additional fan features include opportunities to connect with others in the DC community, earn premium rewards and participate in sweepstakes and contests. DC notes six ways that fans will be able to engage with content and the community: 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. DC Universe will launch on iOS, tvOS and more in a limited beta in August. Those interested can sign up to be considered for the beta here. Check out the video below and the full press release for more specifics, including details on these five upcoming original series: Titans, Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing, Young Justice: Outsiders, and Harley Quinn. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>
DC Entertainment is sharing more information today about DC Universe, a subscription service built around DC superheroes. The biggest draw remains the previously announced slate of original shows, starting with “Titans,” a series that brings the Teen Titans (a team led by Dick Grayson/Robin) to live action. There also will be live action “Doom Patrol” and “Swamp Thing” shows, as well as an animated “Harley Quinn” and the third season of “Young Justice: Outsiders.” The streaming library won’t be limited to new shows. It also will include the four Christopher Reeve-starring Superman films (the first “Superman” remains the greatest superhero movie ever made; fight me if you think otherwise), a selection of DC animated movies and older TV series like the classic “Wonder Woman” and the first two seasons of “Batman: The Animated Series.” Still, a devoted DC fan could probably tear through all of that in a month or two, so as DC’s publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee put it in the announcement, the goal is for DC Universe to be “so much more than a streaming service.” For one thing, it will include what DC describes as a rotating, curated lineup of digital comics, with classic issues like Action Comics #1 (Superman’s first appearance) and Detective Comics #27 (Batman’s first appearance), plus more recent work like the Geoff Johns/Jim Lee run on Justice League, Swamp Thing by Scott Snyder and Harley Quinn by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Plus, there will be an online community and forum, a digital storefront with exclusive access to DC Collectibles and additional content like news and a DC encyclopedia. DC isn’t announcing pricing yet, but the plan is to launch DC Universe on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and the web in the fall, with beta access starting in August. Fans can sign up now.