CBS's decision of airing "Star Trek: Discovery" through its streaming platform, CBS All Access, may be irrevocable as the network's higher-ups already expressed the reason behind it. This left fans deeply dismayed over the network's announcement, and some hope that the decision isn't yet written on a stone. Could it be because CBS knows they can profit even more through the digital platform rather than through broadcast?
Gizmodo says in a report that if "Star Trek: Discovery" will be running on CBS All Access, viewers are required to pay $6 a month or $10 for an ad-free streaming. CBS Interactive CEO Jim Lanzone said that the decision stemmed from the fact that sci-fi series are made for the digital viewers, and not for TV viewers.
Lanzone further said that "Star Trek: Discovery" won't be successful as it doesn't fit the network's broadcast channels, the CW and Showtime. But considering the success of other sci-fi series' on the small screen, like the CW's "Supergirl," HBO's "Westworld," and the long-running "The X Files" of Fox, the executive's statement may not be true and applicable.
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The executive added that sci-fi is not done traditionally on broadcast. However, it must be taken note that original "Star Trek" series and its follow-ups aired on TV starting in 1966, particularly through NBC. Since then, the futuristic TV show continued to rake countless viewers and loyalists, which after almost half a century, can be up to a million-strong fan base.
Another reason behind "Star Trek: Discovery" being shown on CBS Access is its compliance with the FCC. As promised by Lanzone, and just like any other "Star Trek" installments, there will be lots of swearing and nudity. There will be futuristic swearing, however, it will be 300 years prospective and possibly raunchy scenes between humans and aliens.
Nonetheless, Recode notes that Lanzone added during his podcast interview that "Star Trek: Discovery" will be debuting as a broadcast show. The first two episodes will be running on the small screen before it gets transferred to CBS All Access.
"Star Trek: Discovery" airs on May 2017. What do you think about the show running only on CBS Access? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!
