Netflix to Be Exclusive One-Stop Shop for All Things Star Trek
By Leo Barraclough
LOS ANGELES (Star Trek" television series. The streaming platform will be the exclusive home of the series in 188 countries, excluding the U.S. and Canada, where CBS and Bell Media, respectively, have the exclusive rights. Each episode of the series will be available globally within 24 hours of its U.S. premiere.
Additionally, all 727 episodes of the previous "Star Trek" TV series, including "Star Trek: The Original Series," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Star Trek: Enterprise," will be available on Netflix around the world by the end of this year.
The new series will begin production in Toronto in September for its January 2017 premiere. "The franchise will return to television for the first time since 2005 with a new ship, new characters and new missions, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation," according to a press statement.
In the U.S., the series will launch with a special premiere episode on the CBS Television Network in January. The premiere episode and all subsequent episodes will then be available in the U.S. exclusively on CBS All Access, the network's digital subscription video-on-demand and live-streaming service.
Bell has acquired the exclusive linear TV and SVOD rights in Canada. Each episode of the new series will be available simultaneously with its release in the U.S. Bell has also licensed all episodes in the "Star Trek" TV library.
"The launch of the new 'Star Trek' will truly be a global television event," Armando Nunez, president and CEO, CBS Studios Intl, said. "'Star Trek' is a worldwide phenomenon and this international partnership will provide fans around the world, who have been craving a new series for more than a decade, the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the U.S. Thanks to our world-class partners at Netflix, the new 'Star Trek' will definitely be 'hailing on all frequencies' throughout the planet."
"'Star Trek' is one of the most iconic shows in television history and we're thrilled to partner with CBS to bring the beloved series to Trekkies around the world," Sean Carey, VP of global television at Netflix, said. "The newest chapter of the story promises to continue the rich tradition of adventure and is sure to excite fans everywhere Netflix is available."
Alex Kurtzman and Bryan Fuller are co-creators and executive producers for the new "Star Trek," based on Gene Roddenberry's original series. Fuller launched his career writing for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Voyager." Kurtzman is co-writer and producer of the blockbuster films "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness."
The series is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman's Secret Hideout, Fuller's Living Dead Guy Prods., and Roddenberry Entertainment. Kurtzman, Fuller, Heather Kadin, Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers.