Originally Posted by : The Next Chapter of the Legendary “Star Trek” TV Franchise Will Premiere on the CBS Television Network, Then Move to CBS All Access Digital Subscription Service
Alex Kurtzman, Co-Writer and Producer of the Blockbuster Films
“Star Trek” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” to Executive Produce
CBS Studios International to Distribute the Series Globally
For Television and Multiple Platforms
STUDIO CITY, CALIF. AND NEW YORK, N.Y. – Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.
The next chapter of the “Star Trek” franchise will also be distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms around the world by CBS Studios International.
The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. CBS All Access already offers every episode of all previous “Star Trek” television series.
The brand-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.
Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new “Star Trek” TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films “Star Trek” (2009) with Roberto Orci, and “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by J.J. Abrams.
The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and Heather Kadin will serve as executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the hit CBS television series SCORPION and LIMITLESS, along with Kadin and Orci, and for HAWAII FIVE-0 with Orci.
“Star Trek,” which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. The original “Star Trek” spawned a dozen feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a century later, the “Star Trek” television series are licensed on a variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the franchise still generates more than a billion social media impressions every month.
Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, the original “Star Trek” series debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons – a short run that belied the influence it would have for generations. The series also broke new ground in storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at topics including race relations, global politics and the environment.
“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,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “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.”
“This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run ‘Star Trek’ series has gone before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media. “We’ve experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic ‘Star Trek,’ and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series.”
“Every day, an episode of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise is seen in almost every country in the world,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group. “We can’t wait to introduce ‘Star Trek’s’ next voyage on television to its vast global fan base.”
CBS All Access offers its customers more than 7,500 episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets. Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.
The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film “Star Trek Beyond,” which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016
Well, it didn't suck as bad as I thought it would, but I'm still not impressed. Don't like the look of it, absolutely hate what they've done to the Klingons, and while I don't know how it will work online, if I have to pay to watch something that sticks me with this many commercial breaks, they can shove this shit.
I'll have to hear good things about more episodes before I even consider paying a cent for this crap. [Reply]
I thought it looked amazing. Had the look of a movie, not a TV show. The effects were top notch, and I thought the acting was really good. I enjoyed the interaction of the Discovery crew.
But why do they feel they need to redo the origin story of the Klingons to some faith based caste? Everyone that tuned in know who and what the Klingons are, we don't need a Kelvin type of reorganization of the Klingon Empire. And I just couldn't get over how cheaply they incorporated Sarek into the story. Spock had a sister in law that we've never known about? Pfffft.
Overall I liked it, but I'm not sure I liked it enough to pay to see the rest. [Reply]
Visually, these Klingons have more in common with the Goa'uld from Stargate than they do actual Klingons established by the previous series.
Yes, I know that the Klingons changed dramatically beginning with Star Trek The Motion Picture and continuing throughout the TNG - ENT, but that's the point. They changed the appearance of those aliens once already, and came up with a bizarre explanation in ENT to account for the smooth-headed Klingons in TOS. Now they're taking ANOTHER prequel and changing their appearances and culture and surrounding aesthetic yet AGAIN? [Reply]
It was better than I expected. I don't love the uniforms and canon is completely out the window, but that's more subjective. The only objective criticism I have is how thick the Klingon makeup is. Was the dead Klingon's brother supposed to be scared of taking his place? I don't know, because all I could see was immobile rubber mask. The Saru makeup is borderline, it only works because Doug Jones is one of the best acting-through-makeup actors ever. And I don't think even he could make the Klingon makeup work. [Reply]
Against my better judgment, I dropped the $10 for a commercial free month and watched the second episode. I am rather annoyed with myself for doing so. :-)
Excellent battle scenes, at least.
The Klingons are just so horribly done. It's jarring how awful that is. What the fuck were they thinking? I'd really like to know who the idiots are who thought that was a good idea and managed to sell it to everybody else. I'm hoping it will grow on me at least to the point where I don't think about it, but seriously, I don't know. [Reply]
Re: the Klingons the way the Created By credit is awarded on adapted material has everything to do with the crazy re-imagining -- that and too many cooks in the kitchen. I hate the Klingons and considering they're the backbone of the story it all just seemed rather pathetic. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Frazod:
Against my better judgment, I dropped the $10 for a commercial free month and watched the second episode. I am rather annoyed with myself for doing so. :-)
Excellent battle scenes, at least.
The Klingons are just so horribly done. It's jarring how awful that is. What the fuck were they thinking? I'd really like to know who the idiots are who thought that was a good idea and managed to sell it to everybody else. I'm hoping it will grow on me at least to the point where I don't think about it, but seriously, I don't know.
From my understanding, Bryan Fuller was the person that came up with the Klingon's new look.
Maybe it's best he stepped down as showrunner? [Reply]
If so, that's appalling. The way I understood it he was whacked because he complained that they weren't going along with canon.
The one thing that saves it for me, and will probably continue to, is the martial aspect of it. I don't want saving whales or battling the moral implications of violating the prime directive because somebody saw a Vulcan with his knit cap off. I want space battles. I want strong nasty villains. Keep that coming and I'll find a way to deal with gorilla klingons and the goofy uniforms and ship designs. [Reply]
