Some bad news for Star Trek: Prodigy fans in the U.K.
After Paramount+ in the U.S. announced that it was removing Star Trek: Prodigy from its service as well as cancelling plans for the upcoming second season, fans in the U.K. were hopeful that maybe the series would stay on Paramount+ UK, however, it has been confirmed that the show will indeed be leaving in a few days time.
In the US, the groundbreaking animated children’s show set in the Star Trek universe has already been removed from Paramount+, on June 26 due to the service's merger with SHOWTIME.
In the UK, Paramount+ has confirmed to Cord Busters that Star Trek: Prodigy will be removed from the streaming service on June 30, 2023.
So fans who still want to watch (or rewatch) the show – will have to hurry up. There are, however, other ways to watch the show in the U.K. (see below).
Star Trek: Prodigy was among four shows that were not only cancelled but also scheduled for removal from Paramount+.
The other series include The Game, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and Queen of the Universe, as well as movies Snow Day (2022) and Fantasy Football.
The decision was reportedly data-driven, although Paramount has not shared any specific data to highlight why these shows are being cancelled and removed.
This action is in line with a recent trend of streaming platforms removing content, a movement led by Warner Bros. Discovery and also observed on Disney+.
Star Trek: Prodigy marked a significant departure from the traditional Star Trek format.
Targeting a younger demographic, it was the first show in the franchise’s history to be explicitly aimed at children.
Prodigy focused on a group of young aliens who discover a derelict Federation starship, using it as a means to explore the galaxy. This novel approach to the Star Trek universe was seen as a fresh take on the classic science fiction series.
The series also featured a character voiced by Kate Mulgrew, who reprised her role as Kathryn Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager.
Serving as a kind of holographic mentor to the alien characters, her presence provided a familiar face for long-term fans of the franchise.
The show was produced by Kevin and Dan Hageman, and directed by Ben Hibon.
Star Trek: Prodigy was renewed for a second season back in 2021. Despite this, it has now been confirmed that the show will not be returning to either Paramount+ or Nickelodeon, where it had been airing alongside Paramount+.
The team behind the series will complete post-production on Season 2, and then CBS Studios and Nickelodeon will be free to shop it to other streaming outlets.
Paramount+, The Home Of Star Trek
Paramount+, a streaming service by Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), launched in the U.S. in 2014 as CBS All Access. It expanded globally in 2022, reaching the U.K. in June 2022, and boasting over 77 million customers by the year’s end.
The service is accessible via the Paramount+ app and as an Amazon Prime Video Channel. To use it through Prime Video, an Amazon Prime subscription is needed, followed by a Paramount+ subscription.
Paramount+ costs £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the U.K., with a free 7-day trial. It is advert-free, unlike its U.S. counterpart.
Promoted as “The Home Of Star Trek,” Paramount+ was expected to be the go-to platform for Star Trek content, with most of the Star Trek franchise available on Paramount+ U.K.
The Trek shows on Paramount+ include The Original Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds, which launched its second season two weeks ago.
However, with Star Trek: Prodigy now cancelled and soon to be removed, this position is called into question.
In response to the show’s cancellation, a statement from Paramount+ said:
“Star Trek: Prodigy will not be returning for the previously announced second season.
“On behalf of everyone at Paramount+, Nickelodeon and CBS Studios, we want to thank Kevin and Dan Hageman, Ben Hibon, Alex Kurtzman and the Secret Hideout team, along with the fantastic cast and crew for all their hard work and dedication bringing the series to life.”
While the fate of the series remains uncertain, many Star Trek fans have taken to social media with a “Save Star Trek Prodigy” campaign.
In the meantime, once Star Trek: Prodigy leaves Paramount+ U.K. on June 30, fans will still be able to watch it:
- Fans can watch Star Trek: Prodigy on the Nickelodeon channel, where it's currently scheduled to air up until Friday 7th July 2023.
- Fans can also purchase it directly via Amazon’s Prime Video VOD store, where all 20 episodes of Season 1 are available. Although I'm not entirely sure what happens when the show is removed from Paramount+.
Back in the U.S., Paramount+ has also removed a slew of Nickelodeon content, including: Becca's Bunch, Bella and the Bulldogs, Digby Dragon, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, and Ride, as well as Big Time Rush seasons 3-4. At the moment, these titles are still available to stream on Paramount+ UK, however, they're future on the service is currently unknown.
Paramount+ UK & Ireland is HERE! Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favourites! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Paramount+ is also available with Sky Cinema at no extra cost.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have your say by leaving a comment below! NickALive! welcomes friendly and respectful comments. Please familiarize with the blog's Comment Policy before commenting. All new comments are moderated and won't appear straight away.