As Goes ‘Star Trek: Prodigy,’ So Goes The Whole Franchise?
Maybe Netflix would prove to be a better home for Trek than Paramount Plus
Star Trek fans just proved that sometimes resistance isn't futile.
Fans fought back against the surprise and unceremonious cancellation of Star Trek: Prodigy since the moment from the moment Paramount Plus not only killed further seasons of the animated series but pulled existing episodes off the streaming service entirely.
We launched a #SaveStarTrekProdigy fan campaign, 21st century-style, complete with the social media hashtag, mass purchasing of the existing season of Prodigy on physical media — and even a campaign to hire a Star Trek: Prodigy banner flown over the Netflix offices back in August, all in an effort to save the series.
Apparently it did the trick as Paramount announced Wednesday that Netflix was picking up Prodigy, streaming the existing first-season episodes beginning later this year and streaming the nearly complete second season next year.
Star Trek executive Alex Kurtzman posted the news to his social media, along with Prodigy's co-showrunners, Dan and Kevin Hageman.
The most immediate next question will be, of course, if Trek fans follow Prodigy to its new home in sufficient quantities to convince Netflix to order a third season.
But beyond that, could Netflix eventually become a better and more-stable home for the entire Star Trek franchise than Paramount Plus is turning out to be?
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It's no secret that Paramount's been mired in financial trouble for a while. Not only did it kill Star Trek: Prodigy, but its streaming service has been cancelling other series all year. It just ended its other main tentpole franchise, iCarly, by recently killing the reboot series after its recently concluded third season.
One has to wonder just how much original content Paramount Plus can pare back before subscribers lose much of their motivation to keep paying the monthly fees.
Equity analyst Steven Cahall raised serious questions just a few months ago about Paramount's ability to continue as a going concern, in a research note picked up in the media.
By contrast, Netflix is in a much healthier financial position. Revenue, profit, and even change in cash are all trending higher.
Becoming the new home to the entire Star Trek franchise would have to be nothing but a further boon for Netflix.
Meanwhile, Star Trek has never lived anywhere other than Paramount, and its predecessor, Desilu Studios.
So moving to Netflix would be a momentous and historic change, but perhaps one most in the long-term best interest of the franchise to ensure that it can thrive for years to come.
This isn't even an academic question given that the showrunner for Star Trek: Lower Decks has been worrying aloud whether his series gets additional seasons beyond a planned fifth year.
Otherwise we fans could find ourselves next scrambling to save that series next.
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