What channel should a new Trek TV series be on?

Discussion in 'Future of Trek' started by jefferiestubes8, Aug 14, 2009.

?

what TV channel do you think would be most realistic in 2010-2013?

Poll closed Nov 22, 2009.
  1. Showtime - subscription TV channel (owned by CBS Corporation)

    15 vote(s)
    29.4%
  2. Spike [formerly Spike TV] cable/satellite TV channel (a division of MTV Networks, owned by Viacom)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. SyFy - cable TV channel- (part of the entertainment conglomerate NBC Universal)

    16 vote(s)
    31.4%
  4. CBS broadcast network (owned by CBS Corporation)

    14 vote(s)
    27.5%
  5. The CW broadcast network (owned by CBS Corporation)

    6 vote(s)
    11.8%
  1. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Ok here's the way to do it.

    1. One million Trekkies subscribe to Showtime.

    2. THEN they sign a petition, "I will cancel my subscription unless you show a Star Trek series by X date."

    3. If Showtime does not comply, they cancel on X date. THEN Showtime knows we're serious. :rommie:
     
  2. AviTrek

    AviTrek Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Assuming the 1m fans are willing to pay a Showtime subscription for the 12-18 months it takes to produce the first season.
     
  3. ConRefit79

    ConRefit79 Captain Captain

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    Syndicated. It worked well for TNG and DS9. Not to mention TOS after it was canceled.
     
  4. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Syndication is gone as a viable alternative. The business has changed since TNG.

    Basic cable would be the best option if only CBS had an appropriate basic cable outlet...
     
  5. Quinton O'Connor

    Quinton O'Connor Commodore Commodore

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    Wonderful plan, Temis. Hahah.

    And yes, Temis speaks the truth. Everyone is so quick to say 'syndication' because they read that that's how TNG got big, but the fact is, it's a dying art. The business is different.
     
  6. Jack Bauer

    Jack Bauer Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    The failure of Legend of the Seeker shows that syndication for hour long dramas is dead. It needs to be on cable. TNT and USA networks is where it's at. And Showtime, HBO and AMC.
     
  7. AviTrek

    AviTrek Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Yep, the problem is CBS doesn't own any basic cable channels. The only options right now are CBS, CW, or Showtime. If CBS owned an equivalent of TNT/USA then the question for where Star Trek belongs would be trivial.
     
  8. C.E. Evans

    C.E. Evans Admiral Admiral

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    Actually, it's very much alive and well, but it's gone back to how it was prior to TNG, with syndication consisting of repeats from network shows. You'll find Bones, the various CSI and Law & Order shows, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case, and others running throughout the country in syndication. Even TNG is back in syndication in some markets. Syndication is chock-full of hour-long dramas. Perhaps even too many, in a way.

    There just isn't much room (or demand) for original hour-long dramas in syndication, IMO. First-run syndicated dramas were pretty much dead too back in 1987, until TNG came along. It was successfully sold across the country as a sequel/continuation to TOS, which had been a proven hit in syndication since 1969. TNG's success paved the way for a slew of new original action/sci-fi/fantasy shows--including Babylon 5, Xena, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, etc.--that lasted for more than a decade.

    But the thing with Legend of the Seeker, IIRC, is that it was purchased mainly by Tribune, which aired it on their various stations across the country. When Tribune decided to pass on buying a third season of Seeker, the show no longer had enough stations for a syndication package to keep going. Pretty much all of Seeker's eggs had been placed with Tribune, and when Tribune cancelled it (which might had as much--if not more--to do with Tribune's thin wallets as it did with ratings), it was akin to a network show being cancelled, IMO...
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2010
  9. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Any of those would be fine except USA - their approach is too lightweight and silly.
     
  10. Quinton O'Connor

    Quinton O'Connor Commodore Commodore

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    That was a good read, C.E. Evans. It's almost nice to learn something.
     
  11. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    I wrote last year:
    also:
    AviTrek Showtime (CBS Television/Paramount) would have to take the first step and begin preproduction and then get the marketing folks to try to sell this thing (in the USA) as subscriptions. Not 12-18 months, but more like 6 months in advance only. Very similar to the subscription-only Howard Stern chanel on Sirius.
    There would be foreign TV sales but streaming video and eventually iTunes store paid episode downloads and guaranteed complete first season Blu-ray/DVD sales later.

    I think it is not really Showtime specific. So many people paying to watch a channel doing it mainly for one show? Is Trek too mainstream and commercial not 'premium subscription'-type?


    It's not just a cable-centric channel I think for the next option. For example Showtime does not offer streaming of it's shows when you already have a cable tv Showtime subscription...yet.

    What about if you could watch it on TV or streaming if you had a subscription?


    And this new network is started up and has that type of model:
    Epix TV channel [Autumn 2009] - on FiOS
    it is also partially owned by Paramount and has 'Star Trek' (2009) as a movie. EPIX now has carriage on satellite and about 3 major cable providers. It could really grow the EPIX brand in the USA.

    If people had the option say a special subscription in addition to Hulu Plus (already @ $9.95/month) of another $5. as a subscription to watch the next Trek TV series WITHOUT advertising would you do it?
    see this thread for other thoughts:
    Poll: provider for new Trek series as original series download
     
  12. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Why not? I'm a Showtime subscriber for Dexter and don't bother with anything else that they air.

    Star Trek is a rare thing on TV, a successful franchise with rabid fans who might pay to watch it.

    If Epix isn't owned by CBS, then we're right back to the old problem of CBS not making Star Trek for any outlet it doesn't own. The options are still CBS, Showtime and CW.
     
  13. C.E. Evans

    C.E. Evans Admiral Admiral

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    Not only isn't EPIX owned by CBS, it's actually the latest volley in the ongoing feud between CBS and Viacom (Paramount). Viacom co-created EPIX to compete against the CBS-owned Showtime...
     
  14. Quinton O'Connor

    Quinton O'Connor Commodore Commodore

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    What a terrible little predicament this all places Trek into.
     
  15. Temis the Vorta

    Temis the Vorta Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Ouch.

    CBS should sell Star Trek to Paramount. They're not doing bubkis with it, and won't, for the foreseeable future.
     
  16. AviTrek

    AviTrek Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    The problem is there is no amount CBS would accept that Paramount(or anyone else) would pay. Either the amount is so low that it's not worth it to CBS to lose the option for Star Trek in the future, or it's too high and the new company could never make money off of it.

    Also, Paramount no longer has a TV production studio. Star Trek would be better off with WB, since they will still make shows for other networks(including TNT).
     
  17. Avon

    Avon Commodore Commodore

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    BBC1. That is all.
     
  18. josh.heinrichs

    josh.heinrichs Ensign Red Shirt

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    Like I said in another topic on this same forum, the more likely of any network to air a new Star Trek series is the one it last aired on. Being that UPN isn't around anymore and got merged with the WB to make the CW and that their BIG GUN's player sitting in the decision making chair was the person in charge of UPN which aired TNG, DS9, VOY and ENT I think that the more likely solution is to put it back on it's home and being that it's home was bought, merged and re-named to the CW and the President of that network doesn't hate it. It's got one of the best chances on that network, given the storyline and all.
     
  19. AviTrek

    AviTrek Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    1) UPN did not air TNG or DS9. They were sold into first run syndication. They may have aired on the same station in your market, but in other markets they were on different stations.

    2) As long as CW is only interested in attracting teen girls, the only Star Trek they will show is a Starfleet Academy show filled with teen angst.

    3) USA and TNT are able to get more viewers than CW, so there is no real advantage to air on a "broadcast network" if that network is CW.
     
  20. Quinton O'Connor

    Quinton O'Connor Commodore Commodore

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    Yeah, USA and TNT would be more ideal, but the odds of CBS giving the franchise to them are... yeah.