Multiple Star Trek Shows Being Canceled By Paramount? Streaming Announcement Is Bad News For The Franchise
As Paramount looks to save money and cut expenses, spectators believe that the Star Trek franchise might be in trouble.
Several Star Trek series may be canceled amid spending cuts at Paramount. The news comes as the company experienced weaker-than-expected financial results in 2022. At the time, CEO Bob Bakish told Deadline the entertainment giant was dealing with a “complex environment and economic period.” As a result, precise actions would be needed to improve efficiency.
“These will yield cost savings as well as long-term strategic benefits,” Bakshi told the publication. “We’re taking advantage of the current market to accelerate these efforts.” However, he did not share the extent of the reductions, and it’s unclear if the fleet of Star Trek content will be canceled. In January 2022, Paramount+ announced franchise plans which included more seasons for each series.
But due to looming spending cuts, Star Trek offerings on the streamer may be canceled. According to TrekMovie, the current slate fulfills a vision previously outlined by CBS All Access which is now Paramount+. At the time, executives discussed the possibility of year-round content revolving around the space explorers.
Along with the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, there will also be a second outing of Strange New Worlds and the fifth installment of Star Trek: Discovery. The streamer’s animated offerings will see the fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks hit screens later this year, along with 10 episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy season two.
If any of these Star Trek shows are canceled, it contradicts comments made by executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who said each series had been crafted to expand the franchise’s programming for years. Due to the spending cuts, which came after the promise of more space adventures, fans are left with more questions than answers.
Besides the second batch of episodes for the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy, none of the other series have been renewed, leading some to believe they will be canceled. The only way the entire slate will be saved is if Paramount executives believe new seasons will turn a profit by attracting new subscribers.
But with the conclusion of Star Trek: Picard on the horizon, 2024 could see several existing series being canceled. Fortunately, that might not be the end of adventures related to the Enterprise. Shows are usually axed en masse when a studio or network feels like the talent is overpaid. For fans, all it means is a new batch of content with new faces that require smaller paychecks.
While it may sound harsh, this is a standard move in the entertainment industry. Another factor that may lead to Star Trek shows being canceled is pressure from investors for streaming services to show a profit. It might seem obvious, but decent revenue has eluded studios from entering the market.
The financial outlook from Wall Street experts has had a ripple effect across the industry, with Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery opting for drastic cost-cutting measures. Pending an official announcement about Star Trek shows being canceled, the popular franchise is still relatively safe.
