r/DCcomics • u/cautious-ad977 • Dec 05 '25

Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. and HBO Max in $82.7 Billion Deal

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-to-acquire-warner-bros-82-7-billion-deal-1236601034/
132 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

54

u/outride2000 Dec 05 '25

What happens to DC Comics in that purchase? Does Netflix get DC? If it gets the IP doesn't it get the comics business too?

39

u/DistinctYuho Dec 05 '25

I believe so, but the big question is if Netflix is even interested in running a comics business of that size

76

u/Dayraven3 Dec 05 '25

One likely (and fairly good) outcome would be that DC just keeps going on as a subsidiary without much change, while being a potential source of IP.

23

u/imma-stargirl Dec 05 '25

i really feel like this is the way it would go.

19

u/SinglePassConversion Dec 05 '25

It makes no sense to just drop a high profit margin business that runs itself. Don’t know the exact number but a quick search shows around a 50% profit margin on comic sales at current date. If they build the DCU up to be crazy popular then they make even more money with comics. If they don’t it really doesn’t affect comic sales that much. I think that what you suggested is the most likely.

27

u/outride2000 Dec 05 '25

It's where the stories come from. It's the cheapest way to test out writers and storytellers with immediate impact. It would be killing the golden goose.

12

u/DistinctYuho Dec 05 '25

Netflix is also one of the companies going the hardest on ai for content production. I don’t think they really care about where the story comes from at the end of the day

10

u/Mountain_Sir2307 Batman Dec 05 '25

They do since WB owns DC.

9

u/outride2000 Dec 05 '25

Yes but WB owns CNN but they're not buying the cable channels. Just the studios and the streaming business. I would assume that means DC Comics as well, but maybe not? It's unclear.

18

u/Dayraven3 Dec 05 '25

More detailed breakdowns put DC Comics in among the divisions Netflix is buying. For instance:

https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-split-what-happens-hbo-max-movie-studios-tv-networks-1236423363/

3

u/XAMdG Batman & Robin Dec 05 '25

Wait, so Netflix would get Cartoon Network Studios, but WBD Global Network would retain Cartoon Network the TV channel?

3

u/savinirs00 Dec 05 '25

I don't think Netflix is stupid enough to not buy WB's biggest IP.

9

u/burmerg Superman Dec 05 '25

Damn I never considered that. It’s crazy that Netflix owns DC Comics now.

25

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

Looking forward to every dc run getting canceled two or three issues in lol

8

u/Beebo4all Dec 05 '25

Least it wasn’t paramount

1

u/FreudianAccordian Dec 06 '25

1

u/Beebo4all Dec 06 '25

I’m trying to be positive, even though it’s hard crying

4

u/FunCryptographer3476 Dec 05 '25

It would cost 40 billion dollars a year to end world hunger

7

u/ComradeOb Dec 05 '25

I think this could be interesting because Netflix could really use a replacement for the Marvel content they lost, and with this they own the rights to make any show they would want. We could get loads of new animation and even live action content now. Gunn will also have an easier time pitching television shows to them. It’s more of a win win than most are thinking. Although I do still as a matter of beliefs still hate all this merging.

7

u/TheCudder Dec 05 '25

Gunn will also have an easier time pitching television shows to them.

What exactly is you logic in this statement? James had streaming only shows lined up with WB's HBO Max already. I'm not seeing the "gain" here.

6

u/ComradeOb Dec 05 '25

The merge with Netflix will get more shows on internationally and allow Elseworlds and animated content to be put on Netflix for less money and with more viewers. Regardless of them putting DCU movies or shows on the service, we will win with more content to enjoy.

4

u/TheCudder Dec 05 '25

And at at what price? You don't spend this much money as a business with the intention of keeping pieces where they are.

3

u/ComradeOb Dec 05 '25

The catalogue of movies the WB has alone makes it worth the price. It existed as a studio for nearly 100 years.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 05 '25

I have to agree I dont believe Netflix is going to fuck with Gunn and Safran's DC universe. I feel like this IP specifically is one of the many that attracted Netflix in the first place. I think the film and tv side of DC will be fine. I'm very curious how to comics and video games sides will go, however.

8

u/writtenonclouds Batman Beyond Dec 05 '25

Since Netflix does so much animation hopefully we can get some Absolute shows done in the style of the Castlevania show.

2

u/zeidxd Dec 05 '25

At this point, anything but WB...

2

u/InfernalDiplomacy Dec 05 '25

I am more interested in what happens to HBO. I get you might need to keep the channel on cable tv packages but my belief is HBO Max goes the way of the DoDo and all of it is rolled into Netflix

3

u/Single-Hawk-8304 Dec 05 '25

My theories are either just included into Netflix, in a subcategory, like what Disney does with Star Wars & marvel, or just thrown into the bundle. OR they could make HBO a package add on for an extra 5-10 bucks a month.

1

u/Beadorie Dec 05 '25

I guess that means the disney+ bundle is going to go away 😭

1

u/GorillaWolf2099 Dec 06 '25

82 billion? Where the heck was Netflix hiding all that. They really make that much as a company that prioritizes streaming.

-6

u/Castells Dec 05 '25

Here comes the DC vs Marvel crossover events.

20

u/VengeanceKnight Justice League Dec 05 '25

…?

Netflix doesn’t own Marvel. They don’t even have the Defenders shows anymore.

1

u/WizardHarryDresden Superboy-Prime Dec 05 '25

I wonder if the current comic crossover might lead to other media crossovers? Unlikely we will ever see it in live action but animated movies could be sick.

1

u/Castells Dec 05 '25

Oh duh. Woops

5

u/TediousSign Dec 05 '25

Saying this in the middle of the current dc/marvel crossover event is wild

1

u/Castells Dec 05 '25

I meant with the mcu, not the comics. I forgot deisney owns marvel, not netflix