Who would air a new series?

[Amasov]

CBS currently owns the Star Trek series. If a new show came along, I can't imagine CBS airing it, but if they did, I think we all know what would happen. Syndication doesn't seem to be as viable as it used to be, so that's out.

Sci-Fi channel, maybe? USA? My money would be on a Cable TV network.

 

[AviTrek]

CBS doesn't own any cable stations besides some movie channels and the college sports network. But CBS-Paramount Television would be producing the show, it doesn't mean it has to air on a CBS owned network. If you go back to a Viacom network, Spike would be the best choice. Once you go beyond that, the sky's the limit. SciFi, USA, TNT, TBS are all possible.

But, I'm not convinced Trek couldn't work on CBS itself. If the show is done well, I could see Trek finding a space with all the procedurals on CBS. It would have the highest exposure, the largest lead in audience it could hope for, and the best shot at making enough money to justify its budget.

 

[dave_R_treker]

My bet will be on the CW. Don't they own a part of that network anyways.

 

[AviTrek]

Yep, but unless you want a Starfleet Academy series it won't work on CW.

 

[Kelso]

The new Viacom cable network might be a good fit.

 

[AviTrek]

I was doing a little more research and it looks like CBS Paramount Television is working on/has worked on shows for multiple networks[link]. So there is no reason why a new Trek show couldn't be on A&E, Sci-Fi, Showtime, FX, AMC, or USA also. So basically any network that is willing to pay for the show could air it.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

But, I'm not convinced Trek couldn't work on CBS itself.

CBS has a geriatric audience that wouldn't go for sci fi. They've tried branching out from procedurals and it hasn't worked. It's important that shows synch up with the network so that it will make sense to run ads during the other shows on the network - if that's not the right audience, then the ads will flop.

Star Trek belongs on NBC or Fox. On cable, it would get a smaller audience, but that's not a deal-breaker. AMC would be my perference over Skiffy.

My bet will be on the CW.

Nope that's for girls.

 

[cybersoldier]

CBS currently owns the Star Trek series. If a new show came along, I can't imagine CBS airing it, but if they did, I think we all know what would happen. Syndication doesn't seem to be as viable as it used to be, so that's out.

Sci-Fi channel, maybe? USA? My money would be on a Cable TV network.

No Networks period that what killed TOS,VOY, and ENT. Syndicated, no network interference and allows the show to grow like it should like TNG and DS9

 

[AviTrek]

CBS currently owns the Star Trek series. If a new show came along, I can't imagine CBS airing it, but if they did, I think we all know what would happen. Syndication doesn't seem to be as viable as it used to be, so that's out.

Sci-Fi channel, maybe? USA? My money would be on a Cable TV network.

No Networks period that what killed TOS,VOY, and ENT. Syndicated, no network interference and allows the show to grow like it should like TNG and DS9

The market for first run syndicated programming is very different now than it was in the 80s/90s. There are no stations to air the show, and you would be left fighting for space on Saturdays. Also, with internet filesharing a scifi show will be destroyed if some cities decide to air a show later than other cities.

 

[cybersoldier]

CBS currently owns the Star Trek series. If a new show came along, I can't imagine CBS airing it, but if they did, I think we all know what would happen. Syndication doesn't seem to be as viable as it used to be, so that's out.

Sci-Fi channel, maybe? USA? My money would be on a Cable TV network.

No Networks period that what killed TOS,VOY, and ENT. Syndicated, no network interference and allows the show to grow like it should like TNG and DS9

The market for first run syndicated programming is very different now than it was in the 80s/90s. There are no stations to air the show, and you would be left fighting for space on Saturdays. Also, with internet filesharing a scifi show will be destroyed if some cities decide to air a show later than other cities.

Then if there is a new series and stuck on a network, expect alot of network input. And we seen what happened with network input into trek, but if a cable network wants the show without adding its input lets see it work, but I can't see a new trek series on the CW it UPN all over again

 

[jgdst]

Star Trek belongs on NBC or Fox.

Fox is the one network I hope will never get their hands on the franchise. Even though we don't get Fox in the UK, we all know about their penchant for randomly cancelling good shows, or carrying them on so long that you wish they would give the show a mercy killing. There doesn't seem to be a decent middle ground with them. The thought of Foxtrek upsets and scares me

What would be the chances of getting someone like BBC America involved? Do they produce homegrown programming in the US?

 

[AviTrek]

Star Trek belongs on NBC or Fox.

Fox is the one network I hope will never get their hands on the franchise. Even though we don't get Fox in the UK, we all know about their penchant for randomly cancelling good shows, or carrying them on so long that you wish they would give the show a mercy killing. There doesn't seem to be a decent middle ground with them. The thought of Foxtrek upsets and scares me

What would be the chances of getting someone like BBC America involved? Do they produce homegrown programming in the US?

No, they only air British content. They will sometimes co-produce a show with BBC, but they will not air a random American show.

Fox is not as bad as people make it out. You get a lot of complaints from Joss fans for how Firefly was handled, but beyond that the only reason they cancel more scifi shows is because they air more scifi shows.

 

[Penta]

Which is to say, they're the rare American channel to air scifi at all.

 

[C.E. Evans]

CBS currently owns the Star Trek series. If a new show came along, I can't imagine CBS airing it, but if they did, I think we all know what would happen. Syndication doesn't seem to be as viable as it used to be, so that's out.

Sci-Fi channel, maybe? USA? My money would be on a Cable TV network.

No Networks period that what killed TOS,VOY, and ENT. Syndicated, no network interference and allows the show to grow like it should like TNG and DS9

The market for first run syndicated programming is very different now than it was in the 80s/90s. There are no stations to air the show, and you would be left fighting for space on Saturdays.

In many ways, syndication has gone back to the way it was pre-TNG with local broadcast stations airing re-runs of prime-time shows. First-run action/dramatic shows have once again become rare, with Legend of the Seeker being the first outing in several years.

There are still independent broadcast stations out there, but they're few and far between these days. Affiliated broadcast stations have a nasty habit of preempting syndicated shows or constantly flashing giant weather bulletins every five minutes to tell you its raining outside.

Personally, I'd rather see a new Trek series on a cable network (preferrably on SPIKE or A&E--all the NBC/Universal networks run way too many promos during their shows, IMO).

 

[Starbreaker]

Sci-fi would air it... as long as it sucks.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Sci-Fi would air it, get great initial ratings, then the suits would fuck with it, move it all over the schedule, make people wait over a year between seasons, and then quit interfering only once the decision to cancel the show has been made.

*bitter BSG fan*

 

[casey]

I honestly think HBO or Showtime might be the way to go. In general I have been impressed with the quality of the original programming on both networks.

And I think it would be good for the network because they would have a huge spike in subscribers.

 

[Penta]

It'd also cut off the series from a lot of viewers. Plenty of people don't subscribe to those channels.

 

[casey]

^^That is true. It certainly wouldn't draw new or casual viewers. Die hard fans will pay for the subscription, but everyone else will be left out.

Which would mean DVDs would sell well.

My main argument for a premium channel is only that the quality will be significantly better.

Even if we don't get a new series, perhaps a six part miniseries, set after Nemesis. It could air on HBO, and then shortly thereafter released on DVD like John Adams.

I think a miniseries would probably be a lot more successful in general than a new full series. Look at how many people tuned in to Broken Bow, but then trailed off.

Putting out a major trek event every year would conceivably draw similar numbers and not saturate the market with trek.

 

[BoxWhatBox]

I honestly think HBO or Showtime might be the way to go. In general I have been impressed with the quality of the original programming on both networks.

And I think it would be good for the network because they would have a huge spike in subscribers.

I agree with your analysis. Although, I have to admit that I would prefer Showtime over HBO. Overall, Showtime seems more dedicated to allowing their series to blossom, and become truly entertaining shows. Although, I love me some True Blood.