WarnerMedia’s company-wide restructuring has led to hundreds of employees being laid off across multiple divisions. Among the areas most impacted by the cuts isDCEntertainment, with a significant number of employees on both the publishing side and the DC Universe streaming service losing their jobs.
After a beta launch in August 2018, DC Universe officially debuted on September 15 of the same year and offered fans access to select titles from the company’s library of films, television shows, and a rotating selection of comics from DC Comics. The streaming service also included original television programming, starting withTitansin October 2018 before the separate premieres ofDoom Patrol,Swamp Thing,Stargirl,Harley Quinn,Young Justice, and a news program titledDC Daily. However,the future of DC Universe has been in questionever since the May 2020 launch of HBO Max, a video-on-demand streaming service containing original programming and titles from across WarnerMedia’s library.
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The Hollywood Reporter has learned that a majority of the DC Universe staff has been laid off along with approximately one-third of DC’s editorial staff. According to the outlet, the DC Universe cuts were expected as WarnerMedia is shifting its focus to HBO Max. “DC Universe was DOA as soon as the AT&T merger happened,” a THR source said.
Some of DC Universe’s original shows have alreadybegun making the move to HBO Max, includingHarley QuinnandDoom Patrol, the latter of which released new episodes on both platforms simultaneously for its second season. WarnerMedia’s layoffs also impacted DC Direct, with the company’s in-house merchandise and collectibles manufacturer shutting down after 22 years as Warner Bros. Consumer Products begins taking a more active role in DC merchandising.
News of the WarnerMedia layoffs comes just weeks before DC plans to unveil new details on its upcoming line-up of films, television shows, comics, and more at thevirtual convention dubbed DC Fandome. Although anticipation for the forthcoming announcements is high among DC fans, it now comes with the upsetting knowledge that hundreds of former DC employees won’t be moving forward with the company.
Of course, some have been bracing for entertainment companies to begin laying off employees as theybegin to focus their efforts on streaming. While it has been widely assumed that the future of the film and television industry would lean heavily into VOD platforms, it appears the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent demand for streaming content from people staying indoors has only sped up the process.
DC Fandome is scheduled to take place on June 21, 2025.
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