In recent times, the streaming landscape has seen major shifts, with content owners pulling their properties from various platforms to consolidate on their own streaming services. One such significant move is the departure of the Star Trek franchise from Amazon Prime. But why is Star Trek leaving Amazon Prime? This comprehensive article will dive deep into the reasons behind this move, its implications, and what it means for Star Trek fans worldwide.
Star Trek is leaving Amazon Prime primarily due to ViacomCBS’s consolidation strategy. The company, which owns the Star Trek franchise, is focusing on consolidating its content on its own streaming platform, Paramount+. This move is part of a broader trend of content owners pulling their properties from third-party platforms to strengthen their own streaming services.
ViacomCBS’s Consolidation Strategy
The primary reason Star Trek is leaving Amazon Prime is due to ViacomCBS’s strategy to consolidate its content on its own streaming platform, Paramount+. ViacomCBS, the corporation that owns the Star Trek franchise, has stated that the company is not renewing third-party licensing deals as they expire. Instead, they are focusing on leveraging their franchises and original productions for their own platforms, primarily Paramount+. This trend started earlier in 2021 when three Star Trek shows left Netflix in the USA in September.
The Departure from Amazon Prime
In January 2022, all five classic Star Trek series, including The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, were removed from Amazon Prime. This was a part of a consolidation effort to make Paramount+ the exclusive subscription streaming service for Star Trek content. However, the new series Star Trek: Picard remains available on Prime Video for international viewers outside of North America.
Impact on Other Streaming Platforms
This acquisition of most Star Trek content by Paramount Plus will affect the availability of Star Trek series and films on other streaming platforms. Paramount Plus has become the primary streaming platform for most Star Trek TV series and movies. However, some Star Trek films may still be available on other platforms like Amazon Prime for rent or purchase.
Star Trek’s Streaming Future
As of now, Paramount+ holds the streaming rights for most Star Trek TV series and movies. However, the first 10 Star Trek feature films have been licensed to other streaming services, such as HBO Max. It is worth noting that the streaming landscape is constantly changing, and the rights to Star Trek content may shift between platforms in the future.
Alternatives for Star Trek Fans
Star Trek fans have several alternatives to continue watching their favorite series and films. Paramount+ is the primary platform for streaming Star Trek content, offering TV shows like Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Prodigy. Additionally, Paramount+ hosts all Star Trek movies, including the original 10 films and the Kelvin Timeline films starring Chris Pine.
Conclusion
The departure of Star Trek from Amazon Prime is a significant shift in the streaming landscape, reflecting the growing trend of content owners consolidating their properties on their own platforms. While this move may be disappointing for some fans who accessed Star Trek content through Amazon Prime, it opens up new opportunities for Paramount+ to become the go-to platform for all things Star Trek.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is an American subscription video-on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by CBS Interactive, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS. It offers live TV, sports, news, and entertainment from CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, and more.
Will the new Star Trek series also leave Amazon Prime?
As of now, there is no information about the new Star Trek series, Star Trek: Picard, leaving Amazon Prime for international viewers outside of North America. However, the situation may change as the streaming landscape continues to evolve.
Is Paramount+ available worldwide?
Yes, Paramount+ is available in many countries worldwide, but the content available may vary depending on the specific region due to licensing agreements.
Will Star Trek fans need to subscribe to multiple platforms to watch all Star Trek content?
Currently, most Star Trek TV series and movies are available on Paramount+. However, some Star Trek films have been licensed to other streaming services, such as HBO Max. Therefore, fans may need to subscribe to multiple platforms to access all Star Trek content.
Why are some Star Trek films still available on other platforms like Amazon Prime?
Some Star Trek films may still be available on other platforms like Amazon Prime for rent or purchase due to existing licensing agreements that have not yet expired.
