Oh Look - New Star Trek Is A Failure For CBSAA...(NOT!)

[Noname Given]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/media/star-trek-streaming-picard-cbs-all-access/index.html

"The two most important assets to have in streaming are franchises and money," McTernan told CNN Business. "Franchises are a great customer acquisition vehicle for streaming services because they already have a built-in fan base."

That's paid off for ViacomCBS. The January premiere of "Picard," which has Patrick Stewart reprise his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard, broke records for total streams and subscriber sign-ups for CBS All Access, ViacomCBS said in its earnings report last month.
The company is now taking the Star Trek franchise and "extending it across the house," Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS' CEO, said on the earnings call. That means developing new shows on All Access as well as an animated series for the company's family cable channel, Nickelodeon.
ViacomCBS also plans to release more Star Trek films at its movie studio, Paramount. The Star Trek film franchise has made roughly $2.2 billion at the worldwide box office, according to Comscore (SCOR).

...

But building around the Star Trek universe is what has worked well so far for ViacomCBS. Julie McNamara, the executive vice president and head of programming for CBS All Access, told CNN Business that "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Picard" are two of the most popular shows on the service.

Note: I put this in the Picard forum because the article mentions Picard; but that said, IF ST: D wasn't also popular, Picard may have never gotten the Green Light - and CBSAA wouldn't have tapped Michelle Yeoh for a "Section 31" series either, nor decided on start TWO animated shows, the Short Treks, or the two other Live action Star Trek series being developed.

Given all that, I find it hilarious Youtubers like Smallcock and Nerdidiotic get any traction with their "Trek is dead.." bit; and constant false sgtoruies of CBS "being so upset" that >Insert New Series Name Here< will never air; or the various "Yes, Kurtzman is FIRED...(But they're allowing him to remain on the lot...)" BS.

And yes, I have a particular type of Star Trek I prefer; but I certainly don't begrudge others who prefer a different type than I do - and that's the thing at this point:

CBSAA isn't trying to do 6 new versions of the same type of Star Trek; they're trying to vary it for a wider appeal across a broader audience; and I'm okay with that.

 

[BillJ]

Kurtzman is FIRED...

Man has been fired so many times in the last three years he has burn marks on his ass.

And yes, I have a particular type of Star Trek I prefer; but I certainly don't begrudge others who prefer a different type than I do...

Same here.

 

[XCV330]

won't lie though, I'm hoping for a out-in-the-frontier swashbuckling episodic Star Trek from whatever kind of Pike show we presumably get.

 

[BillJ]

won't lie though, I'm hoping for a out-in-the-frontier swashbuckling episodic Star Trek from whatever kind of Pike show we presumably get.

It doesn't have to be the Pike show for me, but I am in the mood for some episodic action-adventure.

 

[Campe]

Man has been fired so many times in the last three years he has burn marks on his ass.

ME is preparing a report suggesting a new crowdfunding campaign (run by Alec Peters of course) where you can donate to Axanar to fire Kurtzman yourself. (The Axanar lawsuit, after all, was just a cover-up while movements were happening against JJ Abrams.)

(Man, I should start a YouTube channel! )

 

[Bad Thoughts]

CBSAA isn't trying to do 6 new versions of the same type of Star Trek; they're trying to vary it for a wider appeal across a broader audience; and I'm okay with that.

I see that they are creating variety, but could at least one series be put on CBS for public consumption. Expand the brand, people!

 

[BillJ]

ME is preparing a report suggesting a new crowdfunding campaign (run by Alec Peters of course) where you can donate to Axanar to fire Kurtzman yourself. (The Axanar lawsuit, after all, was just a cover-up while movements were happening against JJ Abrams.)

I see the words, but they don't make any sense to me...

 

[Campe]

I see the words, but they don't make any sense to me...

Exactly how I feel when I watch one of Midnight's Edge's videos.

 

[Noname Given]

won't lie though, I'm hoping for a out-in-the-frontier swashbuckling episodic Star Trek from whatever kind of Pike show we presumably get.

I just hope the rumors are true that they ARE considering a 'Pike' based series ; and they can make a deal that allows all 3 of the 'Pike' principles (Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck) who appeared in ST: D Season 2 to return. If they have to recast one or more again, that will be a little disappointing to me; but not a 'deal breaker'.

 

[BillJ]

I just hope the rumors are true that they ARE considering a 'Pike' based series ; and they can make a deal that allows all 3 of the 'Pike' principles (Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck) who appeared in ST: D Season 2 to return. If they have to recast one or more again, that will be a little disappointing to me; but not a 'deal breaker'.

I think Harry Treadaway (Narek from Picard) would actually make a better Spock than Ethan Peck.

 

[thribs]

The show is getting better. I wouldn’t listen to those channels. They think everything is bad and about to die.

 

[BillJ]

The show is getting better. I wouldn’t listen to those channels. They think everything is bad and about to die.

I imagine most really don't think that way. They play to people that don't like the shows to garner clicks, which equals revenue.

 

[SG-17]

I didn't enjoy the first season of DIS but I liked the second and I'm loving every part of Picard, so I am looking forward to more of the modern era of Trek.

Especially if we get more post-24th century shows.

 

[rfmcdpei]

It is tragic how badly Star Trek is failing. They simply cannot stop producing new series. :-(

The odds are good, IMHO, that there will be a Pike series. There has been a report that filming is preparing in Ontario for a new series, and Romijn has hinted in an interview that she will be involved in Star Trek. Beyond that, a Pike series does make commercial and creative sense.

This is truly a golden age for Trek. I am glad to see it.

 

[Qonundrum]

When the lightning doesn't strike does one stop flying kites?

No.

Trek is mediocre and a bit superficial at times (an iron pyrite age, perhaps... IMHO, but YMMV) but not without some great moments, especially PIC and Hugh. But that aside, the article read more like a promotional ad to draw interest but, again, OHOMV*.

* one's humble opinion may vary

 

[Qonundrum]

The show is getting better. I wouldn’t listen to those channels. They think everything is bad and about to die.

Compared to what I'm about to opine, assuming they're sincere or getting overdramatic or whatever, their perceptions aren't entirely in la-la-land next to those who abuse Lurasidone (that's no relation to Lursa.) It's lovely to see smoking in Star Trek decades after all the movies and shows that had big "no smoking" signs everywhere. Probably grape-flavored too...

I imagine most really don't think that way. They play to people that don't like the shows to garner clicks, which equals revenue.

^^this

They're not always right and they probably help get people to sign up as well as getting others to not sign up. Which they would want and, indeed, one of them even said as much -- and more than once -- when griping about one extraordinarily bad actor of recent that said youtube channel clings to like an obsessed security blanket.

And from the clips I have seen, some are taken well out of proportion (or context, like "I like science now. Science is cool, har har huh har" to sell another narrative, though either way and of what I saw I wasn't a fan of pre-TOS Spock's handling (but YMMV, never mind I'm not much for prequels in general unless there's real meat there). Even rewatching TNG I am seeing, albeit to a lesser extent, some of the issues the bulk of "the fanwanky menace" gripes on about. Not that they're always wrong but they're not always right.. and do have their own narratives and want those clicks.

 

[nicholasm]

I think Harry Treadaway (Narek from Picard) would actually make a better Spock than Ethan Peck.

I would be totally up for this recasting, but imagine the rants people would put out...
"SpOCk DoEsN'T HavE CrOOkEd TeEth!"
On the other hand, it would mean more free post-show entertainment.

 

[Danja]

Given all that, I find it hilarious Youtubers like Smallcock and Nerdidiotic get any traction with their "Trek is dead.." bit; and constant false sgtoruies of CBS "being so upset" that >Insert New Series Name Here< will never air; or the various "Yes, Kurtzman is FIRED...(But they're allowing him to remain on the lot...)" BS.

https://twitter.com/J4m3s1701/status/1237768268846444544/photo/1

https://twitter.com/J4m3s1701/status/1237513049352712193/photo/1

 

[KennyB]

I just hope the rumors are true that they ARE considering a 'Pike' based series ; and they can make a deal that allows all 3 of the 'Pike' principles (Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck) who appeared in ST: D Season 2 to return. If they have to recast one or more again, that will be a little disappointing to me; but not a 'deal breaker'.

If some rumors are to be believed, it starts filming in October.......I hope it is true. Taking Section 31s slot as next new show to film.

 

[Jadeb]

There's very little worth watching on All Access, so I'm not surprised Trek is the biggest draw. To me, it's the only draw. I'm not worried about the Trek shows failing so much as All Access failing.

DC Comics has a similar niche streaming service, and they're shifting a lot of the programming to HBO Max. Better than cancellation, but goes to show that streaming service tentpoles can become small fish quite quickly.

I would guess Star Trek has great value in that it has a built-in fanbase that will pay to see it, and pay handsomely. But I'm skeptical that its audience is growing. It's keeping All Access up and running, for now, but I imagine the CBS folks are desperately looking for breakout hits that will eclipse it.