IMO the core issue started with script writers and produces wanting to tell a story and trying to mold that story into a trek universe.
That’s sadly been a very common thing in recent years. Writers noticed that fewer and fewer original shows were being made, and latched onto existing IPs or adaptations. And then try to force their idea onto that, which drastically change how people act in comparison and often entire premises of how story-universes work. And Discovery had staff officers acting more over-the-top with emotional outbursts than in Lower Decks. So I might finish it with the “they’re high on spores all the time” headcanon.
I wouldn’t necessarily blame the writers for the shift. The bigwigs making the decision believe that using existing IP means that half the marketing job is already done.
Look at Babylon 5 vs DS 9- the networks aired them opposite each other and DS9 dominated. Even though ds9 was more or less inspired by an early show bible for bab5, that was left with UPN.
The problem is… people know what Star Trek is, and when it’s “not trek”… well, people walk away pissed.
Edit to add: with the prevalence of streaming on demand, there’s a lower amount of completion. If DS9 and Bab5 came out today, most of us would happily watch both.
I dunno about you, but I didn’t have the ability to watch one show and record a second channel back in the day. DVRs didn’t exist until '99, and most of us only had one cable feed, limiting our ability to record one show on VHS, and/or record both.
with access to DVRs, multiple setboxs/receivers/etc, and (now) streaming, that’s changed. but being aired opposite of DS9 was one of the reasons babylon 5 had a lower viewership starting out.
that’s not the experience of many, if not most, would-be viewers at the time. certainly not in the US.
You can blame the US viewers if you want. It’s totally our fault for not having the then-expensive and relatively-uncommon cable plans, or service agreements; and it’s totally our fault that PTEN chose to use bab5 as counter programming to UPN’s DS9.
But the reality is that part of the reason Bab5’s viewership suffered was because PTEN elected to use Bab5 as counter-programing to UPN’s DS9. Which was as lamentable as what Fox did to Firefly’s airing order.
And the point of all this being, there’s absolutely no real need to compete like that today. Not with a gazillion options for streaming on demand, or the ability to record multiple channels simultaneously basically baked into modern DVRs, etc. Ergo, producers shouldn’t be nearly as scared of picking up fresh IP as they are.
I wouldn’t necessarily blame the writers for the shift. The bigwigs making the decision believe that using existing IP means that half the marketing job is already done.
I don’t blame them for the shift at all, that’s all on the higher ups who only see dollars. I do however blame them for doing things like not engaging with the source material and actively changing character personalities to fit their own idea of the story. Specially when it is so drastic that it goes against the overall story and it has to be retconned or explained in unbelivable ways.
That’s sadly been a very common thing in recent years. Writers noticed that fewer and fewer original shows were being made, and latched onto existing IPs or adaptations. And then try to force their idea onto that, which drastically change how people act in comparison and often entire premises of how story-universes work. And Discovery had staff officers acting more over-the-top with emotional outbursts than in Lower Decks. So I might finish it with the “they’re high on spores all the time” headcanon.
I wouldn’t necessarily blame the writers for the shift. The bigwigs making the decision believe that using existing IP means that half the marketing job is already done.
Look at Babylon 5 vs DS 9- the networks aired them opposite each other and DS9 dominated. Even though ds9 was more or less inspired by an early show bible for bab5, that was left with UPN.
The problem is… people know what Star Trek is, and when it’s “not trek”… well, people walk away pissed.
Edit to add: with the prevalence of streaming on demand, there’s a lower amount of completion. If DS9 and Bab5 came out today, most of us would happily watch both.
Doesn’t need to be a “today” question, most of us do, and did even back in the day. Division is a construct
I dunno about you, but I didn’t have the ability to watch one show and record a second channel back in the day. DVRs didn’t exist until '99, and most of us only had one cable feed, limiting our ability to record one show on VHS, and/or record both.
with access to DVRs, multiple setboxs/receivers/etc, and (now) streaming, that’s changed. but being aired opposite of DS9 was one of the reasons babylon 5 had a lower viewership starting out.
Well, here’s a tip:
I was in a country that ran them on different days
Oh, and free to air.
Bully for you.
that’s not the experience of many, if not most, would-be viewers at the time. certainly not in the US.
You can blame the US viewers if you want. It’s totally our fault for not having the then-expensive and relatively-uncommon cable plans, or service agreements; and it’s totally our fault that PTEN chose to use bab5 as counter programming to UPN’s DS9.
But the reality is that part of the reason Bab5’s viewership suffered was because PTEN elected to use Bab5 as counter-programing to UPN’s DS9. Which was as lamentable as what Fox did to Firefly’s airing order.
And the point of all this being, there’s absolutely no real need to compete like that today. Not with a gazillion options for streaming on demand, or the ability to record multiple channels simultaneously basically baked into modern DVRs, etc. Ergo, producers shouldn’t be nearly as scared of picking up fresh IP as they are.
Ok dude, you’re getting weird about other people’s experiences in the 90’s. I’m out
I don’t blame them for the shift at all, that’s all on the higher ups who only see dollars. I do however blame them for doing things like not engaging with the source material and actively changing character personalities to fit their own idea of the story. Specially when it is so drastic that it goes against the overall story and it has to be retconned or explained in unbelivable ways.
(Yes I’m still bitter about The Witcher show)
And their constant virtue signalling that they need for marginalized groups,
Spores were the plot distraction for the first 2 season, they almost stopped using it in 3rd going forward