It does seem like Paramount+ has a problem with drawing younger people - stuff aimed at younger demographics doesn't seem to last long (with the exception of Spongebob). I always thought SFA's success was a bit of a long shot for that reason.

And ironically, merging with HBO Max might actually help with that, but it won't come soon enough.

This is depressing, if accurate, in that it may also be a signal that the new owner is looking for a new production company to manage the franchise just when things had finally and consistently stabilized with Secret Hideout.

I'm sure they are, and suspect that this would be the trajectory regardless of Academy's viewership. The new ownership will be looking to develop a new, more fascism-friendly flavour of Star Trek in the next few years. Tremendous shame, but not a surprise.

The odd thing is that Variety seems to be saying that, according to the same unnamed inside source, negotiations are still underway for Kurtzman and Secret Hideout to continue production for CBS Studios (which I failed to notice on my initial read of the piece).

According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Kurtzman and CBS Studios are currently in talks for a new deal that will keep him in the CBS fold. In addition to his work on “Star Trek,” he has produced shows like the “Hawaii Five-O” reboot, “Scorpion,” and “Salvation.”

If so, I’m wondering if someone leaked the specific detail of the termination of Starfleet Academy with the hope of a fan campaign to save it…

A more measured take VS than I can manage at present.

My partner commented “It wouldn’t take much with the Ellisons” when I said it was reportedly canceled but, I have been hoping that there just might be more sophistication in the analysis of the show’s potential in a bigger, broader streamer.

My own thoughts go to women like my mother-in-law now in her 90s, or the superfan Bjo Trimble, who watched and supported Star Trek and other science fiction media, decade after decade, without seeing many women like themselves in principle roles.

They weren’t watching because of their husbands or kids, they were enjoying science fiction for themselves and their views, and all the related licensed media and merchandise they bought produced exactly the same advertising and other revenue.

Yet, entitled middle aged guys — who aren’t even in the key youth demographic anymore — want to define the franchise and seem to be being listened to.

Older person that I am, I recall the boys in the neighborhood would take their toys and wouldn’t join imaginative play unless they got to be the hero. I guess they never changed.

Here's the first (big FWIW/grain of salt/etc) thing on the decision that's I've seen (besides the TrekMovie article note that 'it's no secret that the show didn't Nielsen chart'). From author Mike Chen on Bluesky.

From the few insiders I know, viewership was actually above expectations and this was more of a "future of the franchise" corporate decision. I'm expecting Trek to be in flux as there are SO MANY variables. Everything from tech stocks to Iran to midterms is impacting Paramount.

Leaving the link to his post here for reference but he has his posts hidden unless you're logged into Bluesky.

That's how I felt about half way through the pilot, I said to my partner "I don't think I can handle a grimdark trek," but then they started introducing the actual premise of the show, how starfleet had a dark time, but was now rebuilding and reaffirming it's ideals.

I personally liked the vibe, it felt hopeful. Dark times don't last forever and things do get better, but still leave an impact.

"no but like, where are you from"

Couldn't read your comment beyond the first few letters, 0/10.

There is still a utopia though, it has just been tested and they failed some of the tests and now they're trying to rebuild.

It's back to basics hopeful, a society trying to live up to it's ideals again.

The first episode is not a good sample of the rest of the show and genuinely feels like an entirely different writing team. The rest of the show feels more like finding and fighting for a utopia, where the first episode feels a lot more pessimistic at the idea that a utopia is even possible. I genuinely recommend skipping through the first episode as much as you want just to get the setting and characters out of it, then start actually watching from the second episode on.

That’s not in the announcements

Variety confirmed that CBS Studios and Kurtzman are continuing to be in negotiations for a renewed partnership.

Unfortunately, they did a cliffhanger.

Now you have to wonder if they can untangle it into one coherent finale episode, and if Paramount will even give them the approval to untangle it in the first place.