Paramount+ has canceled a number of shows, including the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. The show, which brought Kate Mulgrew back as Captain Kathryn Janeway, is the only Star Trek show in the current slate to target a younger audience. Besides canceling the Star Trek series, Paramount+ has also canceled The Game, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and Queen of the Universe. Furthermore, the company will soon be removing the four series from the streaming service entirely.
The news comes right before Paramount+ and Showtime launch as a single service. A spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter the following:
As we prepare to combine Paramount+ and Showtime later this month in the U.S., we are refining our content offering to deliver the best streaming experience for subscribers. This is consistent with our content strategy since launch and across our business, which ensures we make smart, efficient choices, informed by audience data and insights. We are removing select programming as we look to optimize Showtime’s robust slate of premium originals.
Star Trek: Prodigy was renewed for a second season in November 2021. The good news is the series will still complete post-production for that season and maybe find life elsewhere. CBS Studios will shop both seasons around. Still, it could be a while before we see Prodigy continue. This trend of streamers dropping content as if it never existed is troubling, but unfortunately, as long as it continues to offer a cost savings, we don’t anticipate it changing.
Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, who write on the show, shared the above hopeful message on Twitter. They make a great point about how Prodigy serves younger fans. It introduces a whole new generation to the wonderful Star Trek universe.
Additionally, Aaron J. Waltke, an executive producer on the show, shared an in-depth thread about what fans can do to help the canceled Star Trek: Prodigy. You can check out his Twitter for a complete list of ideas, but among them, Waltke suggested streaming the show while it’s available, using viral hashtags, and purchasing Prodigy digitally and in physical form.
We will keep our fingers crossed for this Star Trek series!
Originally published on June 23, 2023.
