Since 2017, it has been full velocity forward at Warp 10 for the Star Trek franchise. Followers new and outdated have been blessed with a slew of content material, and there are nonetheless upcoming Trek exhibits and tasks on the way in which. Sadly, Paramount+ delivered some much less optimistic information in latest months, from the cancellation of ST: Discovery to the cancellation and removing of the animated collection Prodigy, and but optimism stays excessive amongst devoted viewers for a Picard follow-up and extra from Unusual New Worlds. However after the newest feedback from the streaming service’s prime brass, I’ve a foul feeling Trek‘s future could come up brief in comparison with such hopes.
Paramount International’s CEO Bob Bakish and CFO Naveen Chopra spoke throughout an earnings name in regards to the “evolving content material slate” and what meaning for the corporate going ahead. Chopra zeroed in on the streaming ramifications particularly, with feedback that seemingly pertained to Star Trek, if circuitously framed as such (by way of THR):
In streaming, we’re targeted on optimizing spending and content material and advertising, the 2 largest expense classes in our streaming P & L…We’re carrying out that purpose by leveraging content material throughout platforms an increasing number of by leaning into franchises and now that we’ve obtained extra knowledge, we’re more and more in a position to make use of analytics to know the best way to super-serve these key viewers segments. And so we will get away from — name it a volume-focused sport — and be extra targeted on ensuring that we’ve the best content material for the best viewers on the proper time.”
Moreover, they acknowledged a purpose in giving audiences causes to take care of Paramount+ subscriptions, however whereas additionally not over-delivering . Let’s not neglect that on the peak of this revival, 5 Star Trek exhibits ran concurrently. Quickly, we’ll be down to a few Paramount+ Trek exhibits, and it is doable that quantity will dwindle additional to make room for different tasks.
By way of reducing content material, the franchise has finished a few of that work already. Discovery will air its last season in 2024, Picard concluded earlier this yr, and whereas Prodigy could proceed, however it is going to be on one other community or streamer that is not Paramount+. Which means that Unusual New Worlds and Decrease Decks would be the solely exhibits for some time, although there is a live-action Starfleet Academy spinoff on the way in which and a one-off Part 31 film that can deliver again Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh.
Star Trek’s Akiva Goldsman On Whether or not He Can Get A Picard Spinoff Greenlit Like He Did With Unusual New Worlds
Can he work his magic once more?
If we’re speaking about exhibits that moved the needle within the franchise, each Unusual New Worlds and Picard cracked the Prime 10 a handful of occasions on Nielsen’s streaming charts. If Paramount+ is seeking to tighten the belt and serve solely the exhibits pulling essentially the most viewers, they’d prioritize Unusual New Worlds within the brief time period and doubtlessly work out a Picard follow-up that brings again showrunner Terry Matalas. Matalas famous that executives heard followers’ cries for extra adventures, which appeared like optimistic information on the time.
The fact, nevertheless, is that there is an ongoing WGA writers’ strike and SAG-AFTRA strike that would doubtlessly push a present like Unusual New Worlds that paused manufacturing on Season 3 to 2025 earlier than it airs. To imagine a challenge like Star Trek: Legacy might be negotiated, green-lit, written, forged, filmed, and edited in that very same timeframe is unrealistic, even when it occurred instantly after each strikes concluded. Who is aware of what the curiosity shall be over two years from now or what place Paramount+ shall be in to make it?
Finally, I don’t know what’s going to occur with Star Trek content material over the following yr. These feedback do make me really feel as if the one present secure is Unusual New Worlds, nevertheless, and the following period of this revival will not be fairly as bountiful and flourishing with content material because it as soon as was. I am desperately hoping I am mistaken as a result of I like watching Trek on Paramount+, however I might sooner watch new content material than the identical outdated repeats.
Except Prodigy, each Star Trek present is at the moment streaming on Paramount+. This is hoping that can proceed to be the case for a lot of future exhibits, and we’re not a number of years out from one other lengthy hole interval with no new content material.
