Whatever Happened to DC Digital Shows?

You’re likely already aware of Marvel’s 4 live action Netflix series coming this year. Daredevil, Luke Cage, AKA Jessica Drew and Iron Fist are all going to tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With DC and WB producing Gotham and the announcement of the Teen Titans show on TBS, it makes one wonder what happened to the digital content we had been promised to compete with Marvel.

"BURBANK, Calif. (April 23, 2014) — Warner Bros. Animation’s Sam Register has been promoted to the newly created position of President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series, it was announced today by Warner Bros. Television Group President and Chief Content Officer Peter Roth, to whom Register will report.In this new role, Register will head up a newly formed live-action digital content production unit and will now be responsible for spearheading the development and production of original live-action digital series, tapping the creative talent already working at the Studio while also identifying opportunities for collaboration with new writers and producers. In addition to these new responsibilities for live-action digital series development and production, Register will also continue to run the Studio’s television animation unit (WBA) as its new President, after having previously served for six years as WBA’s Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs.Peter Roth said: “Sam has done an outstanding job shepherding Warner Bros. Animation over the past six years, reinvigorating one of the most storied and accomplished animation production companies in this industry. His creative instincts coupled with boundless enthusiasm, passion and energy were all key drivers in WBA’s recent successes, and I know that he will bring the same level of leadership and commitment to his new mission of building and expanding our digital series business. The possibilities under his guidance are limitless.”"

Curious. Did they abandon the idea? Are there no actual plans for a Netflix, Hulu, Yahoo or Amazon original series? Was it a ploy to see how Marvel would react? All those questions remain unanswered as we have heard nothing from DC since. Not a rumor or rumble. Makes me wonder if no one would bite on a project they’d proposed.

Not tying their existing properties together is a huge mistake and perhaps no one wants to commit to a risky, standalone series. If that’s the case, DC and WB are once again squandering good opportunities to appeal to a wide audience. The only thing they’ve managed to do is split their fanbases even further.

Stay tuned for any news on this front and all other good things Batman.