Posted on 11/02/2015 9:48:55 AM PST by Red Badger
Just in time for its 50th anniversary, Star Trek is returning to the small screen.
Prolific producer Alex Kurtzman is developing a new take on the beloved sci-fi classic for TV, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The new Star Trek has been picked up straight to series at CBS, with the premiere slated for the network in January 2017. Subsequent episodes will air on its digital and VOD platform, CBS All Access. The premiere and all subsequent episodes will then be available in the U.S. on CBS All Access, the network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service. Star Trek marks the first original series developed specifically for CBS All Access. 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.
The cross-platform streaming service, which hosts thousands of episodes from CBS' roster (both past and present) is available for $5.99 per month. Included in the fee is the ability to stream the local network live. All previous Star Trek series are currently available on CBS All Access. CBS Studios International will distribute the series for TV and multiple platforms around the world.
The drama is set up at CBS Television Studios and Kurtzman's Secret Hideout banner. Kurtzman and development head Heather Kadin will exec produce. A search is under way for a writer to take on the cult hit. The franchise is poised to celebrate its 50th anniversary as the original series debuted Sept. 8, 1966.
The new Star Trek TV series continues Kurtzman's relationship with the beloved franchise. He produced the Star Trek feature film series, co-writing 2013's Star Trek Into Darkness and 2009's franchise revival. The fourth in the franchise set for 2019, though Kurtzman is not attached.
CBS TV Studios distributed the original series, which was produced by Paramount Television and Desilu Productions. Created by Gene Roddenberry and starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, the series ran for three seasons and 79 episodes from 1966-67 on NBC and became a monster hit via syndication. It spawned an animated series (1973-74), a series of feature films — starting in 1979 — and four TV follow-ups including The Next Generation (1987-1994), Deep Space Nine (1993-99), Voyager (1995-2001) and Enterprise (2001-05).
News of a new Star Trek TV series comes as the franchise has been mired in rights issues between CBS and Paramount after Viacom merged with CBS in 2000. CBS Corp. absorbed Paramount for television, while Paramount Studios — the company that distributed the films — went to Viacom.
The Star Trek revival comes as reboots and follow-ups continue to be in high demand on broadcast (and cable/streaming). Kurtzman — and frequent partner Roberto Orci, who is not attached to CBSTVS' Star Trek — is behind CBS' follow-up to Bradley Cooper's Limitless and also exec produces the network's veteran Hawaii Five-0 reboot. The K/O banner currently has four shows on the air — Hawaii, Limitless and sophomore drama Scorpion as well as Fox's Sleepy Hollow. K/O is repped by CAA and Gendler Kelly. "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 vp and GM at 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.â€
More like they’re chasing the customers that have been moving away from the old distribution methods. Most of the networks already are following this path. Ironically these cheap little web options can quickly add up to a lot more money than cable.
Not within 5 miles of my house, it's NOT!!
Just the ones in the red shirts.
Tradition...
Sure, replicators which replicate real things out of .... what? So there is an economy somewhere supporting that fantasy tech.
It’s fantasy. As is socialism. Except that in real practice, socialism is theft.
Out of energy, which comes basically free out of dylithium crystals.
It’s really no more fantasy than spice. And again, it is NOT socialism.
Cashed and burned immediately after trying to sneak the gay pro-sodomist agenda.
The remote clamlicker romance subplot they very awkwardly interjected into Stargate Universe turned me off on the show, FOREVER... I have no clue how they ended the program, I just totally lost interest. Oh well. I just hope the fat geek kid got laid by some hot chick.
ST:NG already did space environmentalism. After that episode they had to fly at slower warp speed for some BS environmental reason. It was breaking space or something.
“I remember when I first really got into Star Trek when I was in college in the mid-70’s. I hadn’t watched it during its first run. By 1976 or so, everybody was watching it in reruns. I remember thinking how they should bring back the show, as it was more popular in reruns than anybody had ever imagined.”
There actually was a serious proposal at about that time (1976-1977) at Paramount with Gene Roddenberry and others concerning a revival of the series for a second five year mission, with the series being called “Star Trek: Phase II”. A number of episodes were scripted and some initial footage was shot, but all of this was cancelled in favour of a movie due to the success of “Star Wars”.
Link to article on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Phase_II
I always thought it was a banana clip ;)
I live rent free in your head, don’t I, Stu ? ;-D
I’ve watched just one of those so far, it’s rather enjoyable. They got the look of the sets and lighting perfectly. Too bad Star Wars fanboi Abrams crapped all over the franchise and the fans with his Faux Trek abortion.
Nope. Just saw you passing and know that _I_ live rent free in YOUR head. Remember, I’m making fun of you. I laugh AT you and your addiction to bitching about what you think is bad Trek. Tell me what I said wasn’t true. Tell me you won’t watch the new series, and that you won’t be still whining about it in 2020. Go ahead, I double dog dare you. We both know that’s what you’ll do, because your one of those fans that’s addicted to complaining. You would actually PREFER it to be bad-according-to-you Trek, because then it gives you purpose in life. If you actually liked it you wouldn’t get to complain.
Not really, since you don’t occupy a scintilla of space, except for the part marked “shits and giggles.” I knew my reply yesterday would set you off like a ballistic missile. You’re fun to bait. Mission accomplished.
You can go back to your JJ Abrams Faux Trek worship altar now.
Only ballistic person here is you. I’m laughing. And again, tell me I’m wrong. We both know you’ll watch every minute of it, and we both know you’ll bitch bout it for years and years and years. By making that post you’re the one that BIT, you took JJ’s their bate. They know there’s a big contingent of “worst episode ever” folks that can’t help but watch every minute just to complain. And of course your complaining will provide them with free advertising. You’re part of the guaranteed audience they know this show is going to get. They don’t care if you like it, heck they probably prefer you don’t, there’s no way you’ll spend nearly as many hours praising Trek you like as you do whining about Trek you hate.
CBS pwned you. The minute you clicked on this thread they won.
Michael Dorn has been pushing for that for years.
Heck - doesn't even need to be federation - do a klingon series!
They did a just Klingon book series a few years ago, it was pretty awesome.
KMS Gorkon or similar
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