Home › downthetubes News › New Star Trek TV show heads to Netflix in world rights deal outside US and Canada

New Star Trek TV show heads to Netflix in world rights deal outside US and Canada

By John Freeman on July 18, 2016 • ( 1 )

Streaming network Netflix and CBS Studios International have inked a landmark international licensing agreement for the new Star Trek TV series, expected to launch in early 2017 and “introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilisations”.

Netflix – already to shows such as Marvel’s Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Voltron and the recently-launched Stranger Things will be the exclusive premiere home of Star Trek in 188 countries (excluding the US, where it will air on the new CBS All Access and Canada, where broadcast rights have been acquired by Bell Media).

Each episode of the new series will be available globally within 24 hours of its US premiere, thanks to a deal that also includes screening rights to all 727 existing episodes of the classic Star Trek TV library which will be available on Netflix globally by the end of 2016. This includes Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise.

The new show is a major part of the 50th Anniversary of the franchise, which kicks off with the release of the new feature film, Star Trek Beyond on 22nd July.

Filming on the new TV series begins this autumn, with Bryan Fuller, who previously worked on Deep Space Nine and Voyager, on board as co-creator (with Alex Kutzman) and executive producer of the new show. It’s believed – although not yet confirmed – that the new show will be set in the original Trek universe at some point between The Original Series and The Next Generation.

Den of Geek reports Nicholas Meyer will return to Star Trek to help with writing and producing the new TV series, best known for writing Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and as director of Wrath of Khan and The Undiscovered Country.

Speaking to the web site Collider last month, Fuller indicated the show’s first 13 episodes would have an overall ‘arc’ story and that casting details would start to be revealed at San Diego Comic Con.

“It’s interesting because normally I love talking about everything,” Fuller told and I’m sort of relieved I’ve been muzzled by CBS on it because I do less interviews, so I can spend more time writing, but I love talking about Star Trek and I love being involved in it, so I’ll be very excited to share when the muzzle comes off of me.

“… I’ve met with a few actors, and it’s an interesting process. There’s a few people that we like and we want to carry on what Star Trek does best, which is being progressive. So it’s fascinating to look at all of these roles through a colourblind prism and a gender-blind prism, so that’s exciting.”

In the US, the new Star Trek will launch with a special premiere episode on the CBS Television Network in January 2017. The premiere episode and all subsequent episodes will then be available in the US exclusively on CBS All Access, the network’s digital SVOD and live streaming service.

“The launch of the new Star Trek will truly be a global television event,” said Armando Nuñez, the president and CEO of CBS Studios International of the Netflix deal. “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 US.

“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,” added Sean Carey, the VP of global television at Netflix. “The newest chapter of the story promises to continue the rich tradition of adventure and is sure to excite fans everywhere Netflix is available.”

• For all the latest official news on the series visit StarTrek.com or check out Titan Magazine’s Star Trek Magazine

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.