Jun 5, 2013 at 7:10 p.m. PST
Star Trek is now available on Netflix streaming! This is a great addition to an already impressive collection of content. Netflix streaming continues to make great strides in content acquisition. If you subscribed in the past and cancelled due to lack of selection, it’s worth revisiting Netflix. They’re taking streaming seriously and it will eventually replace their DVD rental service.
Netflix recently added all of the Star Trek series, as well as some of the better Star Trek movies. Here’s what they have:
TV Series:
Star Trek (1966-1968)
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1993)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1998)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2000)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2004)
Movies:
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013)
That’s a lot of Trek — hundreds of hours of content. The die-hard Trekkie has a compelling reason to join Netflix. However, a true Trekkie would probably have all of this and more on DVD or Blu-Ray.
Make sure to take advantage of this while it lasts. Netflix content often disappears due to temporary licensing. I have a feeling that Star Trek will not only be around, but that Netflix will add more Trek to its large, yet incomplete collection. They have all of the Star Trek series, but only a handful of the movies. They do have Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which I feel is the best of the classic Star Trek movies. I still cringe when I see the Ceti eel larvae crawl into their ears.
I can finally watch Star Trek on my Apple TV, without using my Mac and AirParrot. I used to watch the episodes on startrek.com. Now I can watch them directly on my Apple TV with much better quality and without commercial interruptions.
This is a good business move for Netflix. Common sense would dictate that Netflix subscribers are inclined to enjoy science fiction. After all, people who watch programming on a computer or set-top box tend to be more technically inclined than a cable subscriber. A look at Netflix subscriber demographics reveals that they may be in to science fiction. Netflix subscribers tend to be 25-44 years old and have a college or grad school education. They’re geeks.
It is surprising that most Netflix subscribers are female, however, the stereotype of the male science fiction geek is obsolete. There is the recent phenomenon known as “geek chic”. Science fiction and video games are no longer the almost-exclusive domain of men. Female science fiction heroines like Seven of Nine, River Tam (Firefly), and Rose Tyler (Dr. Who) have made the formerly male-dominated genre more appealing to women. The new Battlestar Gallactica even appeals to those who tend to dislike science fiction. Starbuck is female in the new version. Classic Star Trek episodes tended to objectify women. The new science fiction heroine is empowered and intelligent.
The proof is in the pudding. Netflix subscribers must love sci-fi, because Netflix has a lot of it. Beyond Star Trek, which is a new arrival, shows such as Firefly, Dr. Who, X Files, Stargate: Universe, Battlestar Gallactica, and many more are available on Netflix.
Star Trek may even have a new life on Netflix. There is an online campaign to persuade Netflix into producing new episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise. The series was cancelled in 2004. After Netflix took on producing new episodes of Arrested Development, fans of other shows have been petitioning the streaming media service to produce new episodes of their favorite shows. There’s also a large movement to bring back Stargate: Universe. I think it would be great if Netflix could produce new episodes of Firefly. Unfortunately, Netflix said they will not bring back Firefly. Arrested Development was a rare case where the cult following grew years after the show was cancelled. Shows like Firefly tend to have a smaller, but more intense following over time. Netflix is a business. They produce shows and acquire content in order to get more subscribers. The Star Trek addition comes on the heels of the new Star Trek movie, Into Darkness. The Trek fan can only hope that Netflix will continue adding to its Star Trek collection. Only time will tell. If the content doesn’t attract subscribers, it will likely be discontinued.
UPDATE: Netflix has acquired rights to broadcast the new, upcoming Star Trek series in 188 countries. Unfortunately, American and Canadian viewers won’t be able to catch the new show on Netflix. The show will be accessible to Americans and Canadians on CBS and the CBS All Access streaming service.
