Streaming giant Netflix has announced today that outside of North America, they will be the exclusive carrier of next year’s STAR TREK television revival, which will be exclusive to CBS All Access in the USA.
Netflix to Beam New CBS “Star Trek” Television Series in 188 Countries Around the World
Each Episode of the Highly Anticipated New Series to be Available to Netflix Members Exclusively in All Licensed Territories Within 24 Hours of the U.S. Premiere on CBSLOS ANGELES and AMSTERDAM– July 18, 2016 – Netflix and CBS Studios International today announced a landmark international licensing agreement for the new “Star Trek” television series. Netflix will be the exclusive premiere home of “Star Trek” in 188 countries (excluding the US and Canada). Each episode of the new series will be available globally within 24 hours of its U.S. premiere.
Additionally, all 727 existing episodes of the iconic “Star Trek” television library – including “Star Trek: The Original Series,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Star Trek: Enterprise” will be available on Netflix around the world by the end of 2016.
The all-new “Star Trek” will begin production in Toronto in September for its January 2017 premiere. The iconic and influential global franchise will return to television for the first time since 2005 with a new ship, new characters and new missions, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation.
“The launch of the new ‘Star Trek’ will truly be a global television event,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Studios International. “‘Star Trek’ is already 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 U.S. 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,” said Sean Carey, Vice President 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.”
The show will be available outside of North America within 24 hours of each episode’s American release, which should dramatically reduce international piracy issues that a delayed rollout would likely create.
In addition, this will save any existing international Netflix subscriber from having to pay any new costs to view the show – unlike fans in the United States, which will need to pay teh $5.99 monthly subscription to CBS All Access.
In Canada, the series will be available via Space, and streaming on CraveTV.
The Bell Media rollout for the new Star Trek series in Canada will mirror the launch in the United States. The first episode will premiere on Canada’s most-watched broadcast network, CTV, on the same night as CBS.
All remaining episodes will initially be televised on Bell Media’s cable networks, Space (in English) and Z (in French), and then later exclusively on CraveTV, Bell Media’s streaming video-on-demand service. The Star Trek television library will return to Space (in English) and debut on Cinépop (in French), and will also be found among CraveTV’s leading lineup of premium television series.
This Netflix-based international distribution model is one that’s been happening with many popular shows being exported from the USA; for example, acclaimed AMC drama Better Call Saul and BBC America series Orphan Black are both distributed via Netflix outside of the United States.