Why is there such certainity that there will be another show?

[Temis the Vorta]

That truckload of money is the only reason there's a possibility of a new series. But movies and TV are different businesses. I'd say that Star Trek on TV now is do-able but there's a huge question whether anyone would bother to do it, and if they did, how they would do it, the how not being the content - it would have to be Starfleet-centric, set in the 23rd C and not using the movie characters as regulars - but rather the business and scheduling aspects - where do you put it so that it will be a viable business proposition?

Ideas like direct-to-DVD, downloads, miniseries, etc are way off target. None of them have the potential for financial success that will not only pay for the production a primo Star Trek series, but more importantly, offer better return on investment for whatever CBS could be doing instead. Star Trek has to convince CBS that it is a more lucrative notion than CSI: Hoboken or some cheap-ass reality TV show.

The essential problem is that network TV would be inhospitable (Nielsens expectations would be too high, especially on CBS) but basic cable's smaller audience might not pay for production. Premium cable won't touch anything as mainstream as Star Trek because HBO and Showtime have promised their audiences that "we give you stuff you can't get elsewhere" and that has snob appeal in return for their high subscription fees.

Unless there's an answer to the question of "how" that seems like enough of a slam-dunk financially, nobody with the power to do anything will risk their career on Star Trek.

 

[NIUPonyBoy]

I am still certain there will NOT be another show before 2012-13.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

I am still certain there will NOT be another show before 2012-13.

NIUPonyBoy I don't think anyone is in disagreement with you there. This is more of a big picture 5-year thread.
With JJ Abrahams announcing so many projects Paramount knows they won't get another Trek feature film out to the cinemas until 2012 anyway.

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

Why would I pay to go the cinema to watch something that I'm pretty much getting on TV?

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but... umm... to see that particular story? Hello..

It's a fair point but it's not an event to the other 90% of the cinema going public, it's just more of the same.

It has to engage everyone all of the time for that to work.

Doesn't it?

And to date, it demonstrably has not.

I don't want to see a Star Trek show that "Engages everybody all of the time." People are stupid, and they like crap. I wouldn't want to see Star Trek pandering to everyone that wouldn't otherwise watch it. Might as well make it a reality show.

 

[ThePlumsofWrath]

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but... umm... to see that particular story? Hello..

It's a fair point but it's not an event to the other 90% of the cinema going public, it's just more of the same.

It has to engage everyone all of the time for that to work.

Doesn't it?

And to date, it demonstrably has not.

I don't want to see a Star Trek show that "Engages everybody all of the time." People are stupid, and they like crap. I wouldn't want to see Star Trek pandering to everyone that wouldn't otherwise watch it. Might as well make it a reality show.

I agree with you completely on reflection, you make a lot of sense.

However;

The stupid people generally get what they think they want, it stops them realising what's really wrong with them and their stupid, stinking and meaningless lives.

It's a conspiracy my friend.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I don't mean to sound like a jerk, but... umm... to see that particular story? Hello..

It's a fair point but it's not an event to the other 90% of the cinema going public, it's just more of the same.

It has to engage everyone all of the time for that to work.

Doesn't it?

And to date, it demonstrably has not.

I don't want to see a Star Trek show that "Engages everybody all of the time." People are stupid, and they like crap. I wouldn't want to see Star Trek pandering to everyone that wouldn't otherwise watch it. Might as well make it a reality show.

Sci fi in TV and movies need to address this in different ways because theyare very different businesses.

Sci fi movies really do need to engage a broad audience. But that can be accomplished simply by a competent action script and some nice SFX. The integrity of the material doesn't need to be compromised. But the flip side is, with 2 hours every couple of years, there isn't a lot you can do with the material other than bam-kapow and maybe character arcs for a couple characters.

Sci fi on TV is specialty genre stuff. It shouldn't try to engage a broad audience. It should get itself someplace where 2-3M viewers are a sustainable business, and then make damn sure to engage that tiny subset of the people who will be going to see the movies every couple of years. The benefit is that there will be plenty of time to do the material justice.

 

[therealfoxbat]

I am still certain there will NOT be another show before 2012-13.

That sounds about right...

It would be right after the networks find out how well the next Star Trek movie does at the box office...

 

[Red Ranger]

I'm not convinced either that a new ST show is in the cards in the immediate future. Maybe after a second or third movie. Also, as I mentioned in another thread, I think it'll be some kind of spin-off set up by a movie. -- RR

 

[Navaros]

when ENT ended its run, it was more along the lines of 4-5M viewers iirc. BSG didn't even get that when it premiered.

I'm pretty sure that is incorrect. This quotation from Blacock comes to mind:

"I mean, we started out with 13 million viewers on the pilot, and we somehow managed to drive 11 million of them away."

I'm pretty sure she is correct, and ENT ended with slightly over 2 million viewers.

It is correct, however, that nuBSG always had abysmal ratings to the tune of 2 million and less, even though fans and critics often erroneously call it a hit with a huge fan base.

 

[DaveyNY]

The only way a new Trek series will work, is if it is released "dependent On" Multiple Viewing Outlet's and Format's at the same time or at the very least, within a short time frame.

Who ever does it, is going to have to realize that the Major Network-Viewing Audience is only going to be a very small part of their income projection. (Regardless of future DVD/Blue-ray sales.)

They will have to have a business plan that includes releasing the product through several iterations of mass audience availability, at the same time.

Perhaps as some new version of Syndication, through a combination of Network/Cable/Satellite/Internet viewership.

This of course means They will have to hype this version of Star Trek as the new "Messiah" which will bridge all forms of immediately-viewable media at the same time, such as has never been seen before.

It seems HULU is already somewhat heading in this direction, as they are considering/going to be announcing a pricing schedule for their content within the next twelve months or so.

Working out the revenue details and convincing others to jump on the band-wagon for this kind of project is probably going to drive some executive number-cruncher insane.


But, Hell... that's what He/She gets the Big Bucks for.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

The only way a new Trek series will work, is if it is released "dependent On" Multiple Viewing Outlet's and Format's at the same time or at the very least, within a short time frame.

It seems HULU is already somewhat heading in this direction,

daveyNY check out the poll/thread
provider for new Trek series as original series download
i have not included Hulu as I wasn't sure until I heard about it in November what their initial paid-subscription plans were.
As many people on TrekBBS have mentioned that they think a new series will be anchored to television and I agree. Along with television these content providers will offer a 6th Trek series as a paid download or possibly advertising sponsored streaming.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I'm pretty sure she is correct, and ENT ended with slightly over 2 million viewers.

Fair enough, I remember it as more like 3-4M even towards the end but the point is the same that ENT was doomed while BSG could flourish at that level, which is a lesson for all space operas on TV. ENT had been cancelled before S4, when the audience certainly was above 2M. (ENT was doomed anyway because it attracted the wrong audience for the CW's new strategy).

even though fans and critics often erroneously call it a hit with a huge fan base.

By Skiffy standards, 2M is decent. Recently, Skiffy has been bragging that SG:U gets an astounding 2.6M viewers (figures that are wildly fudged by adding DVR viewing, but that shows you what Skiffy thinks is worth bragging about - and SG:U has been renewed so even considering the real figures are less, it's good enough for Skiffy.) Dexter gets around 2M (maybe more like 3M by now) on Showtime, and that makes it a monster hit. Network, basic cable and premium cable all have different economic models so 2M one place is not the same as 2M elsewhere.

 

[Broccoli]

even though fans and critics often erroneously call it a hit with a huge fan base.

By Skiffy standards, 2M is decent. Recently, Skiffy has been bragging that SG:U gets an astounding 2.6M viewers (figures that are wildly fudged by adding DVR viewing, but that shows you what Skiffy thinks is worth bragging about - and SG:U has been renewed so even considering the real figures are less, it's good enough for Skiffy.) Dexter gets around 2M (maybe more like 3M by now) on Showtime, and that makes it a monster hit. Network, basic cable and premium cable all have different economic models so 2M one place is not the same as 2M elsewhere.

This.

 

[startrekrcks]

But what would the new series involve a new crew and new missions

 

[jefferiestubes8]

new crew & missions

But what would the new series involve a new crew and new missions

Is this a question? Definitely not a topic for this thread.
There are so many threads in the Future of Trek forum for what the next Trek TV series could be setup/missions/characters/actor choices try to narrow it down startrekrcks and post in a new series thread or start one with an idea.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

But what would the new series involve a new crew and new missions

Yes, it would involve a new crew and new missions. A new crew because the Trek XI movie actors wouldn't all join a TV series and it's really gotta be all or none; and new missions because I doubt anyone wants to see old scripts performed by new actors. Kinda spoils the suspense.

 

[stonester1]

I'm not at all sure that there will be another Trek TV series.

I am. What form it will take, etc etc, dunno. But I AM sure there will be another Trek TV series.