STUDIO CITY, Calif. and
NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- CBS Television
Studios announced today it will launch a totally new "Star Trek"
television series in January 2017.
The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on
the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent
first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in
the United States on CBS All
Access, the Network's digital subscription video on demand and
live streaming service.
The next chapter of the "Star Trek" franchise will also be
distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms
around the world by CBS Studios International.
The new program will be the first original series developed
specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a
cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of
episodes from CBS's current and past seasons on demand, plus the
ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for
$5.99 per month. CBS All
Access already offers every episode of all previous "Star Trek"
television series.
The brand-new "Star Trek" will introduce new characters seeking
imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the
dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the
franchise since its inception in 1966.
Alex Kurtzman will serve as
executive producer for the new "Star Trek" TV series. Kurtzman
co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films "Star Trek" (2009) with
Roberto Orci, and "Star Trek Into
Darkness" (2013) with Orci and Damon
Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by
J.J. Abrams.
The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in
association with Kurtzman's Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and
Heather Kadin will serve as
executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the
hit CBS television series SCORPION and LIMITLESS, along with Kadin
and Orci, and for HAWAII FIVE-0
with Orci.
"Star Trek," which will celebrate its 50th
anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment
franchises of all time. The original "Star Trek" spawned a dozen
feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a
century later, the "Star Trek" television series are licensed on a
variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the
franchise still generates more than a billion social media
impressions every month.
Born from the mind of Gene
Roddenberry, the original "Star Trek" series
debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired
for three seasons – a short run that belied the influence it would
have for generations. The series also broke new ground in
storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at
topics including race relations, global politics and the
environment.
"There is no better time to give 'Star Trek' fans a new series
than on the heels of the original show's 50th
anniversary celebration," said David
Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. "Everyone here has
great respect for this storied franchise, and we're excited to
launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled
hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who
knows this world and its audience intimately."
"This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience,
then boldly go where no first-run 'Star Trek' series has gone
before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All
Access," said Marc DeBevoise,
Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media.
"We've experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access,
expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short
time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this
growth with the iconic 'Star Trek,' and its devoted and passionate
fan base, as our first original series."
"Every day, an episode of the 'Star Trek' franchise is seen in
almost every country in the world," said Armando Nunez, President and CEO, CBS Global
Distribution Group. "We can't wait to introduce 'Star Trek's' next
voyage on television to its vast global fan base."
CBS All Access offers its customers more than 7,500
episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and
classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to
stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets.
Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via
CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on
connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku
players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.
The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature
film "Star Trek Beyond," which is scheduled to be distributed by
Paramount Pictures in summer 2016.
About CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and
CBS) is a mass media company that creates and distributes
industry-leading content across a variety of platforms to audiences
around the world. The Company has businesses with origins that date
back to the dawn of the broadcasting age as well as new ventures
that operate on the leading edge of media. CBS owns the
most-watched television network in the U.S. and one of the world's
largest libraries of entertainment content, making its brand — "the
Eye" — one of the most recognized in business. The Company's
operations span virtually every field of media and entertainment,
including cable, publishing, radio, local TV, film, and interactive
and socially responsible media. CBS's businesses include CBS
Television Network, The CW (a joint venture between CBS Corporation
and Warner Bros. Entertainment), CBS Television Studios, CBS Global
Distribution Group (CBS Studios International and CBS Television
Distribution), CBS Consumer Products, CBS Home Entertainment, CBS
Interactive, CBS Films, Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network, Pop
(a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Lionsgate),
Smithsonian Networks, Simon & Schuster, CBS Television
Stations, CBS Radio and CBS EcoMedia. For more information, go to
www.cbscorporation.com.
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SOURCE CBS Corporation