• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

CBS says it CANNOT go forward with ANY new Trek series?

Does anyone know if CBS' streaming service actually produces original programming? Or is it just their old/current network stuff?
 
Yes... if CBS licensed it to them - is that likely? Never say never.

Is it more likely than "Hello I am a TOP ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER please consider our fan film... hello? hello?"

yes, infinitely.

Could it be that CBS doesn't actually have the rights at this moment? As I recall about 10 years back there was a problem between how the rights were setup between CBS and Paramount. CBS gets the TV shows they made and all marketing pertaining too them, and they also historically own the TOS Universe giving them rights to build off if it for marketing - potentially even movies (ADB also has some strange perpetual TOS universe rights). Paramount gets the movies and the universes they are set in as well as retained historical options on a show series. But then there was a problem with who owned the rights to "Star Trek" in the sense of moving forward and who owned marketing rights on cross-over materials.

Point being, it's a complicated mess.

I suspect the reboot complicated things further as it's a bridge between TOS universe and a new one. There may very well be an agreement in place (of the legal kind), and it could very well be that CBS can't move forward at this time without Paramount jumping on board. After all, Paramount doesn't want to see the roboots derailed and the rights commingling certainly means lawyers are making money.

As for folks that want to see fan fiction commingled with studio/network work. I think we are better of without it (my opinion). There is a nice relationship that allows fan fiction right now. Getting CBS, Viacom, Paramount, National Amusements, or whoever involved at best will lead to an "OK" product, and at worst will kill fan fiction rights (IMO).

BTW - Netfilx may not produce shows, but they can in general. I am pretty sure Amazon does. There is nothing stopping them other than rights and Licensing and resources.

Anyways, it's an interesting thread, but since no-one in authority seems willing to clarify, all we have is speculation.
 
No, CBS All Access produces no original content. It's really nothing more than a pay service for cord cutters who want CBS content online, or access to their library of old shows.
 
Yes... if CBS licensed it to them - is that likely? Never say never.

Is it more likely than "Hello I am a TOP ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER please consider our fan film... hello? hello?"

yes, infinitely.

Could it be that CBS doesn't actually have the rights at this moment? As I recall about 10 years back there was a problem between how the rights were setup between CBS and Paramount. CBS gets the TV shows they made and all marketing pertaining too them, and they also historically own the TOS Universe giving them rights to build off if it for marketing - potentially even movies (ADB also has some strange perpetual TOS universe rights). Paramount gets the movies and the universes they are set in as well as retained historical options on a show series. But then there was a problem with who owned the rights to "Star Trek" in the sense of moving forward and who owned marketing rights on cross-over materials.

Point being, it's a complicated mess.
Not really. CBS really owns all of Star Trek (as far as it being a IP--and that includes the Abramsverse). Paramount got a license from CBS to make and distribute movies based off Star Trek. That's pretty much it as far as Paramount's "ownership" of Trek goes.

Any confusion might be with an idea that CBS needs Paramount's cooperation or approval with any new Trek projects (it's the really the other way around).
 
There's little evidence, outside of international box office (which is far more important today than it was in the past), that NuTrek is driving more within the general audience to interest in Trek.

One useful set of data is available to CBS. I recall they were pleasantly surprised that sales of each Trek series' boxed sets went up as a result of new Trek fans (of the 2009 movie) researching what other Trek was out there. They expected TOS boxed sets to do well, but everything received a boost.
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know if CBS' streaming service actually produces original programming? Or is it just their old/current network stuff?

CBSN is a streaming only 24 hour CBS News.

It's HORRID. From a production standpoint it's up there with a recent fan-film that shall not be named.
 
Not really. CBS really owns all of Star Trek (as far as it being a IP--and that includes the Abramsverse). Paramount got a license from CBS to make and distribute movies based off Star Trek. That's pretty much it as far as Paramount's "ownership" of Trek goes.

Any confusion might be with an idea that CBS needs Paramount's cooperation or approval with any new Trek projects (it's the really the other way around).


You know where I can read up on that? Don't take that the wrong way - I am actually interested. It goes counter to what I have heard (which is certainly possible considering the sources) but also counter to what I have read and what I see on Models for Licensing.

In 2005/06 Movie and TV rights were split. Paramount was given rights to make more movies (rights, not license) - However, the "Abramverse" is TOS. CBS has all marketing right to TOS characters (even if it is a new Kirk). This caused problem for Abrams actually - and his long term ST plans.

And there is even this from Wiki (not the best source - I know):

"Paramount PicturesIn 2005, Viacom divided into CBS Corporation, whose CBS Television Studios subsidiary retained the Star Trek brand, and Viacom, whose Paramount Pictures subsidiary retained the Star Trek film library and rights to make additional films, along with video distribution rights to the TV series on behalf of CBS."

If paramount was given rights to make additional movies in the ST Universe, then the CBS hold on the brand for future work was tenuous.

So, if you have something about the rights history, I would love to read it. I have been fascinated ever since I found out NBC once offered the rights to GR.

Oh...and this:

http://www.thewrap.com/how-web-star-trek-rights-killed-jj-abrams-grand-ambitions-91766/
 
Not really. CBS really owns all of Star Trek (as far as it being a IP--and that includes the Abramsverse). Paramount got a license from CBS to make and distribute movies based off Star Trek. That's pretty much it as far as Paramount's "ownership" of Trek goes.

Any confusion might be with an idea that CBS needs Paramount's cooperation or approval with any new Trek projects (it's the really the other way around).


You know where I can read up on that? Don't take that the wrong way - I am actually interested. It goes counter to what I have heard (which is certainly possible considering the sources) but also counter to what I have read and what I see on Models for Licensing.
Here ya go.
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html
(The list of Trek properties that can be licensed from CBS)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_new_movie.html
(Star Trek 2009)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_into_darkness.html
(Star Trek Into Darkness)

Star Trek Beyond will probably join that list around the time it's released.
 
Here ya go.
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html
(The list of Trek properties that can be licensed from CBS)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_new_movie.html
(Star Trek 2009)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_into_darkness.html
(Star Trek Into Darkness)

Star Trek Beyond will probably join that list around the time it's released.


Um....Those only pertain to TOS products. Um...I was hoping for more stuff. But Thanks!
 
Here ya go.
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html
(The list of Trek properties that can be licensed from CBS)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_new_movie.html
(Star Trek 2009)
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_into_darkness.html
(Star Trek Into Darkness)

Star Trek Beyond will probably join that list around the time it's released.


Um....Those only pertain to TOS products. Um...I was hoping for more stuff. But Thanks!
Um...did you even look at the very first link?

Here it is again (look at the rather big blue list in the upper left corner. It features every Trek series, including TAS. You can click on them individually).
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html
 
No, CBS All Access produces no original content. It's really nothing more than a pay service for cord cutters who want CBS content online, or access to their library of old shows.

Yep - and they are also one of the slowest networks to sign distribution deals with the various streaming services.
 
Um...did you even look at the very first link?

Here it is again (look at the rather big blue list in the upper left corner. It features every Trek series, including TAS. You can click on them individually).
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html


Sorry....yes....and thank you!

I just clicked the links you gave at first. Apologies that I am slow at times. And thank you again.

I guess I was just hoping for something like a history. Like how did ADB get perpetual licenses for the TOS Universe? Enough so they were allowed to make modifications to it (non-canon of course). How did NBC have rights they were willing to sell to Roddenberry (but he didn't have the money)? What rights was Paramount actually given by Viacom in 2005. I have read things here and there. And I got a chance to talk to someone at a lunch once, but the lunch was for something else....so not really in depth. I figured there was a book or something.
 
No, CBS All Access produces no original content. It's really nothing more than a pay service for cord cutters who want CBS content online, or access to their library of old shows.

Yep - and they are also one of the slowest networks to sign distribution deals with the various streaming services.

Don't mistake the network CBS with the CBS Studios or their parent company CBS Corporation.

If anybody would want a new series, it would likely be made by CBS Studios. The network would have no say in it, unless it is the one licensing the show.
Since all those companies are related, they likely won't do anything that harms their siblings, though.

Also I guess you are just talking about the U.S.
 
Um...did you even look at the very first link?

Here it is again (look at the rather big blue list in the upper left corner. It features every Trek series, including TAS. You can click on them individually).
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/startrek/star_trek_original.html


Sorry....yes....and thank you!

I just clicked the links you gave at first. Apologies that I am slow at times. And thank you again.
No problem.
I guess I was just hoping for something like a history. Like how did ADB get perpetual licenses for the TOS Universe? Enough so they were allowed to make modifications to it (non-canon of course). How did NBC have rights they were willing to sell to Roddenberry (but he didn't have the money)? What rights was Paramount actually given by Viacom in 2005. I have read things here and there. And I got a chance to talk to someone at a lunch once, but the lunch was for something else....so not really in depth. I figured there was a book or something.
Most of it comes from various industry trade articles (and by looking at CBS' portfolio). It really wasn't considered that big of a deal to anyone other than those interested in the business side of Star Trek (the bigger story was really why CBS and Viacom went their separate ways more so than who got what in the divorce). When CBS acquired what was formerly Paramount Television, that included a ton of TV properties obtained over the years from multiple networks and syndication.
http://www.cbsconsumerproducts.com/properties.html

In that regard, Star Trek is just one of many properties in their arsenal.
 
This explains a long-running question I've always had as to why hasn't Lego produced licensed TOS kits and mini-figs.

The licensing must be a real b#tch to obtain.
 
This explains a long-running question I've always had as to why hasn't Lego produced licensed TOS kits and mini-figs.

The licensing must be a real b#tch to obtain.

Yet Simon and Schuster has no issues negotiating rights deals and neither do other companies.
 
This explains a long-running question I've always had as to why hasn't Lego produced licensed TOS kits and mini-figs.

The licensing must be a real b#tch to obtain.

Maybe the fact that LEGO is a foreign company and ST is *mostly* a US thing? I seem to recall the US is a big market for LEGO, but Japan, Australia, and Northern Europe are also. They need international appeal.

I have been trying to read the licensing PDF's from CBS, but they are not loading. It's possible they don't like making deals with foreign companies because of complications.

I've heard that if an IDEAS goes through they will consider licensing. But none ever makes it. And really, LEGO doesn't translate to the "roundyness" of ST ships.

Maybe someone around here can do a good IDEAS project and get it through. I would support it. Only 9999 to go!

EDIT: Megablox and KREO have products. The PDF was really no help.
 
And really, LEGO doesn't translate to the "roundyness" of ST ships.

Bullshit.

And my favorite!

Also, LEGO didn't exactly lend itself to Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Justice League, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, etc. until they finally launched those lines, introducing new pieces and parts.

Shit, I remember when it was just Castle, Town, and Space. I remember when Blacktron was the BFD on the LEGO scene, then Futuron, then Space Police, then M-Tron, then nuBlacktron... and the game changer when they introduced a whole new genre -- PIRATES! :lol:
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top