So it's come to this-a petition to bring Star Trek back to TV...

[Third Nacelle]

And it will be set either in the JJverse or a new universe entirely. The prime universe is done and will never be seen on the screen again.

What makes you say that? You're not the first person I've read make the claim that the "prime universe is done," but nobody ever seems to base it on anything.

I sure I am not alone in feeling that I would rather see a continuation of the first ~725 installments of Star Trek rather than a rehashing of the old in a "new universe." I love the characters from TOS, but I feel their stories have already been told. We don't need a retelling with new special effects. Ditto for TNG, DS9, VOY.

A new TV series need a fresh start, not a re-start.

 

[Dukhat]

What makes you say that? You're not the first person I've read make the claim that the "prime universe is done," but nobody ever seems to base it on anything.

I base it on how a television network producer thinks, not how an average Star Trek fan thinks. Just like this guy who made this petition, and as the OP correctly stated, people simply do not understand how television works, at least in regards to a future Trek series.

Not only is the prime universe considered a failure (thanks to Insurrection, Nemesis, and Enterprise), but AbramsTrek is considered a success, and CBS suits want to emulate success, not failure. They don't give a crap about the Borg, the Klingons, the Romulans, etc. They only care about the bottom line. What is working now is Kirk, Spock, Uhura, the Enterprise, and action. Expect any new Trek show to have the same elements.

 

[Hartzilla2007]

The worst thing about this petition is the nasty attitude that the petitioner has taken towards other sci-fi shows that don't have the optimistic future of Star Trek (check out the comments below, too):

DEFIANCE - Another TV show about a post-apocalyptic hell-world I would not want to live in. Failure to entertain.

Nothing wrong with that opinion. The overuse of "angst" and "end of the world" stories is what drove me away from broadcast TV almost a decade ago.

Except outside of the "end of the world" thing everyone has basically moved on from, none of that stuff really makes it sound like that guy has actually watched Defiance.

And the end of the world stuff was more about setting up their Western with Aliens and stuff world.

 

[BillJ]

What makes you say that? You're not the first person I've read make the claim that the "prime universe is done," but nobody ever seems to base it on anything.

A new TV series need a fresh start, not a re-start.

Modern Trek has the stink of failure attached to it since "Enterprise" left the airwaves with less than two million viewers a week and "Nemesis" got its ass handed to it by a J.Lo flick. Besides what producer is going to want to handcuff himself to seven-hundred plus hours of material he/she didn't produce?

That chapter of Star Trek (1966-2005) is over. It was alot of fun but all good things must come to an end.

 

[Third Nacelle]

I'm sorry, I don't follow. Nemesis was a dud, and Enteprise didn't pull in ratings.... so the Original Series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and ST I - IX are failures?

There's plenty more to see in the Prime Universe. I wouldn't worry too much about how a traditional network television producer thinks, because traditional television is dying.

If there is a new series, it probably won't be any time soon, and by the time it happens TV won't be dying, but dead. It'll be released on Netflix or a similar service, and if they want people to pay for episodes, they'll have to appeal to fans.

 

[BillJ]

I'm sorry, I don't follow. Nemesis was a dud, and Enteprise didn't pull in ratings.... so the Original Series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and ST I - IX are failures?

Nope. But entertainment, much like any other business, carries a "what have you done for me lately?" mentality.

There's plenty more to see in the Prime Universe.

As much as I love the Prime timeline, it's over. There's nothing left that I want to see and I think that's true of the fanbase as well which is why Enterprise and "Nemesis" failed.

If there is a new series, it probably won't be any time soon, and by the time it happens TV won't be dying, but dead. It'll be released on Netflix or a similar service, and if they want people to pay for episodes, they'll have to appeal to fans.

The end of Modern Trek has shown that the last thing you want to do is too overtly pander to the fans because you pretty much chase everyone else off and the fanbase isn't enough to keep the franchise afloat. If a new series is made, whether it be on a cable or streaming service, it will still be built with long-term syndication in mind which is where the studios make their profits. The Network model may be dying, but strip syndication is not and shows no signs of going anywhere for a long time.

 

[Dukhat]

I'm sorry, I don't follow. Nemesis was a dud, and Enteprise didn't pull in ratings.... so the Original Series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and ST I - IX are failures?

Again, you're thinking like a Star Trek fan. A television producer will think, "Yeah, TNG was ok, but what have you done for me lately?" *EDIT* BillJ beat me!

There's plenty more to see in the Prime Universe. I wouldn't worry too much about how a traditional network television producer thinks, because traditional television is dying.

Huh? People are watching television more than ever. That's why there are huge LCD and plasma screen TVs selling for cheaper and cheaper prices.

If there is a new series, it probably won't be any time soon, and by the time it happens TV won't be dying, but dead. It'll be released on Netflix or a similar service, and if they want people to pay for episodes, they'll have to appeal to fans.

Well, that's your entitled opinion, but I don't think TV is going to go the way you think it will.

 

[Third Nacelle]

Yes, people are buying LCD and plasma screens so they can watch the shows they stream. Fewer people than ever are watching scripted network broadcasts - and the advertisements that pay for them. That's not my opinion, that's ratings.

 

[Infern0]

All of those ideas sound dreadful to be quite honest.

Anyway if there is to be a new T.V Series and we are pitching ideas, I think they should base it on Vanguard. Anyone who's read the books knows that'd be good TV

 

[BillJ]

Yes, people are buying LCD and plasma screens so they can watch the shows they stream. Fewer people than ever are watching scripted network broadcasts - and the advertisements that pay for them. That's not my opinion, that's ratings.

Those ratings are sliding right now, but I believe they'll stabilize at some point for one simple reason: people are going to continue to want scripted material. And what will happen is that at some point the cost of doing business for streaming service is going to begin to swell as they try to keep a varied back-catalog and pay for new scripted shows. Also some cable and telecommunications companies are beginning to tinker with metered internet fees (based on usage) which is going to push that cost higher for folks when they are streaming 1080p material.

As streaming costs rise, people will go back to watching the networks/cable.

 

[Third Nacelle]

Just like the NY Time's paywall is going to drive people back to printed news?

There are too many broadband options now for people to stick with a telecom company that meters service. Bandwidth is not going anywhere but up, and internet access is only getting more ubiquitous.

 

[Dukhat]

Just like the NY Time's paywall is going to drive people back to printed news?

Er, what? People read tons of newspapers all the time.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

Yes, people are buying LCD and plasma screens so they can watch the shows they stream. Fewer people than ever are watching scripted network broadcasts - and the advertisements that pay for them. That's not my opinion, that's ratings.

Those ratings are sliding right now, but I believe they'll stabilize at some point for one simple reason: people are going to continue to want scripted material. And what will happen is that at some point the cost of doing business for streaming service is going to begin to swell as they try to keep a varied back-catalog and pay for new scripted shows. Also some cable and telecommunications companies are beginning to tinker with metered internet fees (based on usage) which is going to push that cost higher for folks when they are streaming 1080p material.

As streaming costs rise, people will go back to watching the networks/cable.

And when that happens, the networks will have to step up the the plate creatively and start putting on more scripted drama and comedy (as well as variety shows/specials and retrospective special on older TV shows) like they used to, and cut down on the police shows and reality TV shows.

Just like the NY Time's paywall is going to drive people back to printed news?

Er, what? People read tons of newspapers all the time.

I concur with Dukhat on that last point.