Star Trek Enterprise

New ‘Star Trek’ TV Series Premiering in 2017 – But There’s a Catch

Star Trek Into DarknessEthan Sacks over at the New York Daily News is reporting that a new “Star Trek” television series is launching on CBS in January 2017. But there’s a catch.

After the premiere airs on network television, successive episodes will only be available on CBS All Access subscription streaming service in the United States. Talk about a dumb move. I mean, not dumb for CBS because I’m sure fangirls and fanboys will be all over that streaming service. But seriously? With all the TV and streaming (i.e. Netflix) options out there, there may be fans who just won’t follow the series to CBS’ fledgling subscription streaming service. I do have a Netflix subscription, but I’m not sure I’d pay for another streaming service, even for beloved “Star Trek.”

Helming the series will be executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who produced and co-wrote the 2009 and 2013 “Star Trek” films, both of which were directed by J.J. Abrams. The series won’t debut in time for 2016’s 50th anniversary of the pilot of the original “Star Trek” series created by Gene Roddenberry. “Star Trek: Enterprise” was the most recent TV series, and that left the air in 2005.

“There is no better time to give ‘Star Trek’ fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” CBS Television Studios president David Stapf said in a statement.

“Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”

Not much is known about the plot yet, but I’m guessing it won’t star the film’s expensive cast, including Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg and Zachary Quinto. The actors just wrapped filming on “Star Trek Beyond,” scheduled to fly into theaters on July 22, 2016.

The network promises that the new “Star Trek” will “introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.”

Will you pay for CBS’ subscription service to watch the new “Star Trek” series? Sound off in the comments below.

 


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