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Netflix may have saved Star Trek: Prodigy but its release schedule is problematic

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Netflix may have saved Star Trek: Prodigy but its release schedule is problematic

As a die-hard Star Trek fan with decades of fandom under my belt, I must say that Star Trek: Prodigy has been a breath of fresh air in the ever-expanding universe of Star Trek. The fact that it survived the chopping block once already is nothing short of miraculous.

Star Trek: Prodigy has been an absolute joy to watch, and it’s quite fortunate for fans that there might be a third season on the horizon. Despite facing cancellation during its second season, the show managed to survive a close call. Unfortunately, Paramount+ opted for cost-cutting measures in an attempt to increase profitability, and Prodigy was one of the casualties due to the termination of the toy deal with Playmates. The higher-ups were banking on merchandising to make the show a lucrative asset.

Despite being a popular series with impressive viewership, it seems that the additional income they anticipated didn’t materialize, leading to its unexpected cancellation during the production of season two. The show had already begun animation and voice recording, with reports suggesting that half of the season was completed before the sudden termination.

At the last minute, Netflix took over the production of Prodigy and eventually broadcasted its second season on their platform. This marked the debut of a fresh Star Trek season exclusively on Netflix.

There’s optimism that the fanbase stuck around and even more people joined due to the increased popularity on the widely used streaming platform, but Netflix can be unpredictable regarding viewership. They have a history of canceling shows, even successful ones, if they didn’t meet the required standards or gained popularity too close to their end cycle.

If you aren’t immediately into a Netflix series early, you run the risk of it being canceled.

As a gamer, here’s my take on that: Instead of keeping Star Trek fans hooked week by week like a TV series, you release new episodes for Prodigy one at a time over a period of 12 to 22 weeks. If the show is good enough, we’ll stick around and watch every episode. However, Netflix drops all their episodes at once, just as they did with Prodigy. This ‘binge-watching’ approach might be appealing to some, but for me, I enjoy the anticipation and discussion that comes from waiting for each new installment.

Because fans are used to discussing episodes they’ve watched for an entire week with friends and online communities, the change in Netflix’s release schedule significantly impacted their social experience, which is crucial for a show’s success. The connection and sense of community it provides. That’s what often makes a show stand out.

As time passes, even if the initial pace is gradual, an increasing number of people discussing the show can attract more and more viewers. This growing buzz fuels excitement, creates suspense, and eventually leads to a passionate fanbase eagerly awaiting the series finale.

The Netflix model is great for binge-watching, but much like other things you can do with “binge” in front, it’s not healthy or a good idea to watch 10 hours of content in one day. Netflix’s model is outdated and non-conducive to creating and encouraging fandoms around their more beloved series and films.

If a series maintains audience interest over a span of 20 weeks instead of being released in its entirety within two weeks, it not only manages to retain subscribers, but also observes a steady increase in the show’s viewership ratings.

In simpler terms, it’s common sense for businesses, but Netflix might be hurting Prodigy by releasing it without a proper build-up period. This lack of advance promotion makes it difficult to draw in fans.

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2024-08-24 02:23

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