A lot of this is about Discovery, but...
It was if you watched much on TV at the time other than Star Trek...Everything except the guy with the pointed ears and the name of the ship.
Well, I was hoping for some actual discussion, but whatever. Yeah, maybe DS9 wasn't some production like David Lynch would throw out, but it wasn't bland.
I don't think there's much chance that Discovery will fail commercially or that it won't be widely embraced by the Trek fan base. Trek fans are like American Republicans in that old political remark: eventually they fall in line.
I think this is rather reductive and without foundation. Sure there are some individual Trek fans that are forgiving and willing to watch most any Trek (I for one enjoy most of Trek, and I really only bailed on 1.5-2 seasons of Enterprise, but have enjoyed everything else, except STID). But I think the viewership numbers and polls of which series fans like most indicate that the fanbase evolves/rotates/etc. Some people watch early stuff, some watch a smattering, some watch only the newest stuff, and some start on the newest but grow to embrace the rest of the franchise. Just because there is a core that views a lot and buys a lot doesn't mean all the fans have ever "fallen in line" with anything. I think the endless arguing over every aspect of Trek - its quality, where it should be going, the tone, the settings, whether it is or isn't Trek - proves this.
...Personally I remember when Stargate Universe came out, and there was a similar "whatever, the fans may be angry, but they'll watch it anyways"-attitude from the producers of SGU. And that ended up as a monumental flop.
I hope you aren't saying that the Discovery producers are saying/implying this. The cast and crew has seemed very enthusiastic about the quality and intent of their show. At worst, the producers have been saying "give us a chance" regarding canon, and defending the partial focus on diversity, but I don't see them saying "you'll take it and like it".
I keep hearing this, but it makes me think people are unaware of Discovery's merchandising push. We are getting novels, comics, props next year and I believe we're getting action figures. Eaglemoss is going to do miniatures.
What else is really needed?
Yeah I agree, there was an extensive list of licencees released not too long ago. I am no expert in the field, but it seemed like there was as much buy-in as you would see with any major property.
As for The Orville:
I apparently have been used to the idea that there is no new Trek other than movies for the past 12 years, that I didn't really think about how in only 3 days there will be more light, optimistic sci-fi to view and critique.

And in 12 days there will be regular Star Trek!