Tawny Newsome and Justin Simien developing new live-action Trek series

[Danja]

Three reasons:

• More episodes of an established show are, as I noted, cheaper than an entirely new show. You already have most of the standing sets in the studio. You've already designed uniforms, props, makeup and prosthetics, etc. Even VFX are likely a bit cheaper, because you already have high-texture renders of things like the ship available off the shelf. There are also probably some savings related to payroll and staging. Balanced against this is that the salaries for the cast for SNW is likely higher than Starfleet Academy (or whatever), but I don't think it will cancel out these other savings.

The CEO of Starz would disagree (Take it from a guy who has to meet payrolls every single week. His job is to get into the weeds of the financials. He knows more about what it takes to produce a TV show than any of US ever will. If he says it's more expensive to indefinitely renew an existing show than it is to produce a new one, I believe him.)

If an earthbound show like Power is expensive after four seasons, how much would a VFX-heavy show like SNW cost?

If shows are cheaper over the long haul, why were Disco and Lower Decks each cancelled after five seasons?

 

[eschaton]

The CEO of Starz would disagree (take it from a guy who has to meet payrolls every single week).

If an earthbound show like Power is expensive after four seasons, how much would a VFX-heavy show like SNW cost?

If shows are cheaper over the long haul, why were Disco and Lower Decks each cancelled after five seasons?

He's not exactly saying the same thing though, as he's talking about how costs escalate from season to season.

If SNW had 20-episode seasons from the getgo, there would be twice as many episodes already in the can. However, the cast would still be on season 3 in terms of their compensation. Obviously the aggregate cost of the show would be higher, but the cost per episode would not. So the escalating cast/crew compensation in later years is actually an argument in favor of longer seasons, not against it.

As for why DIS and LDS were canceled, I'd guess it was because they weren't getting the viewing numbers out of them they wanted. Though it's all speculation, since no streaming service releases genuine viewership metrics.

I was not making any sort of argument that shows were cheaper the longer they ran. I was saying that adding more episodes to a season of an already successful show seems like a safer bet to get viewers interested then trying out an entirely new show.

 

[Danja]

He's not exactly saying the same thing though, as he's talking about how costs escalate from season to season.

If SNW had 20-episode seasons from the getgo, there would be twice as many episodes already in the can. However, the cast would still be on season 3 in terms of their compensation. Obviously the aggregate cost of the show would be higher, but the cost per episode would not. So the escalating cast/crew compensation in later years is actually an argument in favor of longer seasons, not against it.

I was not making any sort of argument that shows were cheaper the longer they ran. I was saying that adding more episodes to a season of an already successful show seems like a safer bet to get viewers interested then trying out an entirely new show.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

I feel like Star Trek: Prodigy was pulling something like this, with how it ran for four years with 40 episodes but only had two seasons. No need to give anyone a contractually mandated raise if it's not technically a new season!

 

[Firebird]

As for why DIS and LDS were canceled, I'd guess it was because they weren't getting the viewing numbers out of them they wanted. Though it's all speculation, since no streaming service releases genuine viewership metrics.

I'm pretty sure it's been said - multiple times - that it was due to the streaming bubble bursting and escalating costs.

For someone who keeps going on and on about how simple and cost-efficient it would be to produce more SNW, I'm surprised you didn't realize that.

 

[Tuskin38]

And JAG ran for ten fucking years.

People know what they like and like what they know.

NCIS is still one of the most watched shows for the network IIRC

 

[Commander Troi]

^Something I will never understand.

 

[The Wormhole]

It has a fun cast.

 

[Firebird]

Yup, the cast is what kept me watching, at least until DiNozzo left. After that, Gibbs can only take you so far.

 

[EnderAKH]

NCIS is still one of the most watched shows for the network IIRC

Actually, the bloom seems to be off of that rose:

Midseason Ratings Report Card: CBS’ Most- and Least-Watched Shows

TVLine's look at how each network’s shows are stacking up thus far continues with CBS.

tvline.com

 

[Tuskin38]

Yup, the cast is what kept me watching, at least until DiNozzo left. After that, Gibbs can only take you so far.

I stopped watching for ~4 years, but then came back to it in 2018 or 2019 and have been loving it.

I think I just needed a break after watching it for 15 years straight lmao

 

[Agony_Boothb]

Actually, the bloom seems to be off of that rose:

Midseason Ratings Report Card: CBS’ Most- and Least-Watched Shows

TVLine's look at how each network’s shows are stacking up thus far continues with CBS.

tvline.com

View attachment 44040

I think this is because a lot of the old people who watch it died. NCIS is the Matlock of the boomer generation.

 

[fireproof78]

I think this is because a lot of the old people who watch it died. NCIS is the Matlock of the boomer generation.

Interesting.

My wife and I and one of our daughters qualify as boomers while my parents can't stand NCIS. Fascinating

 

[Nerys Myk]

I think this is because a lot of the old people who watch it died. NCIS is the Matlock of the boomer generation.

Then what is Matlock (2024)?

 

[oktay]

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NEW - Exclusive: Alex Kurtzman Gives Live-Action Comedy Update, Says Star Trek Can “Broaden”

 

[Daedalus]

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NEW - Exclusive: Alex Kurtzman Gives Live-Action Comedy Update, Says Star Trek Can “Broaden”

Reading that, I feel like it's definitely going to maybe happen, probably? I could be right or wrong....possibly.

 

[Dukhat]

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NEW - Exclusive: Alex Kurtzman Gives Live-Action Comedy Update, Says Star Trek Can “Broaden”

CBS/Paramount still hasn’t green-lit it yet.

And apparently Kurtzman didn’t learn anything from Section 31’s failure about using Star Trek for people’s vanity projects.

 

[Turtletrekker]

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NEW - Exclusive: Alex Kurtzman Gives Live-Action Comedy Update, Says Star Trek Can “Broaden”

I can't wait to see what they come up with!

 

[Nerys Myk]

CBS/Paramount still hasn’t green-lit it yet.

And apparently Kurtzman didn’t learn anything from Section 31’s failure about using Star Trek for people’s vanity projects.

I thought he came to her? Or maybe Simien pitched to Alex and Alex teamed him with Tawney?

Vanity projects are doing okay. Mike and Lower Decks. Akiva and SWW. Even Patrick and Picard.

 

[Dukhat]

I thought he came to her? Or maybe Simien pitched to Alex and Alex teamed him with Tawney?

Vanity projects are doing okay. Mike and Lower Decks. Akiva and SWW. Even Patrick and Picard.

When I say ‘vanity project,’ I’m talking about using the Star Trek name for things that have very little to do with Star Trek.

Although Stewart’s self-indulgent nature was straddling the line. But I would still hardly call PIC ‘Star Trek in name only.’