4 ms·

Strange that CBS is going to be putting this only on streaming (CBS All Access). I'm not sure if that's a brilliant bet on the future or a foolhardy miscalculat

Strange that CBS is going to be putting this only on streaming (CBS All Access). I'm not sure if that's a brilliant bet on the future or a foolhardy miscalculation.

gkoberger 11y ago
You wouldn't like Star Trek on CBS proper. Shows on TV need to be mainstream to work, given how advertisement works. By putting it online, they're changing the expectations: it doesn't have to appeal to everyone. Rather, it can be made for a niche audience, which is good for Star Trek. That's why Arrested Development (in theory) can work on Netflix but not FOX.
- WorldMaker 11y ago
  Yeah, I don't think Star Trek meshes with CBS demographics right now. They'd likely end up with NCIS: Star Trek Edition. That said, I probably wouldn't mind a young adult soap opera Star Trek for the CW network. The issue with CBS' digital efforts is that they are a strange island unto themselves and Star Trek alone is unlikely to get too many more visitors to their island. They really need to consider a partnership with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or something left field like Vudu or HBO Now. But of course they are stubborn and probably won't. (Does it make financial sense to anyone right now to spend $5/month on just CBS shows when the same could go to most of a Netflix or Hulu subscription with a much broader content base?)
  - WorldMaker 11y ago
    What's with all the downvotes? Was it the CW comment? If so, are the downvoters not currently watching CW's Flash? That sort of light-hearted, inter-personal drama-fueled show would work for Star Trek, I think.
- voidlogic 11y ago
  >Shows on TV need to be mainstream to work, given how advertisement works. Counter point, the extremely strong viewing numbers of ST TNG...
- yk 11y ago
  Hopefully but I am a lot more cynical. I guess they want to start with what they believe is their strongest franchise. The job of the new Star Trek is to draw the audience to streaming, and the series needs mass appeal for that.
untog 11y ago
CBS has a rich history of using Star Trek to promote new methods of giving viewers content. The track record is... spotty.
rhino369 11y ago
It's the perfect way to capture revenue from a somewhat niche audience that has a strong demand for the content. 72 bucks a year for Star Trek is a no brainer compared to other star trek fan spending. It's how sports leagues fund their streaming: you pay a lot for the content. Sure not many sign up, but the real fans more than make up for it. The real problem I foresee is the large overlap in star trek fandom and internet pirates.

Strange that CBS is going to be putting this only on streaming (CBS All Access). I'm not sure if that's a brilliant bet on the future or a foolhardy miscalculation.

gkoberger 11y ago

You wouldn't like Star Trek on CBS proper. Shows on TV need to be mainstream to work, given how advertisement works. By putting it online, they're changing the expectations: it doesn't have to appeal to everyone. Rather, it can be made for a niche audience, which is good for Star Trek. That's why Arrested Development (in theory) can work on Netflix but not FOX.

WorldMaker 11y ago
Yeah, I don't think Star Trek meshes with CBS demographics right now. They'd likely end up with NCIS: Star Trek Edition. That said, I probably wouldn't mind a young adult soap opera Star Trek for the CW network. The issue with CBS' digital efforts is that they are a strange island unto themselves and Star Trek alone is unlikely to get too many more visitors to their island. They really need to consider a partnership with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, or something left field like Vudu or HBO Now. But of course they are stubborn and probably won't. (Does it make financial sense to anyone right now to spend $5/month on just CBS shows when the same could go to most of a Netflix or Hulu subscription with a much broader content base?)
- WorldMaker 11y ago
  What's with all the downvotes? Was it the CW comment? If so, are the downvoters not currently watching CW's Flash? That sort of light-hearted, inter-personal drama-fueled show would work for Star Trek, I think.
voidlogic 11y ago
>Shows on TV need to be mainstream to work, given how advertisement works. Counter point, the extremely strong viewing numbers of ST TNG...
yk 11y ago
Hopefully but I am a lot more cynical. I guess they want to start with what they believe is their strongest franchise. The job of the new Star Trek is to draw the audience to streaming, and the series needs mass appeal for that.

untog 11y ago

CBS has a rich history of using Star Trek to promote new methods of giving viewers content. The track record is... spotty.

rhino369 11y ago

It's the perfect way to capture revenue from a somewhat niche audience that has a strong demand for the content. 72 bucks a year for Star Trek is a no brainer compared to other star trek fan spending. It's how sports leagues fund their streaming: you pay a lot for the content. Sure not many sign up, but the real fans more than make up for it. The real problem I foresee is the large overlap in star trek fandom and internet pirates.