The kid-centered animated series that debuted in Fall 2021 will hopefully find a new home after the streamer cancels the show prior to launching the previously greenlit sophomore season.
So much for ‘boldly going on.’ Despite a 2021 second season greenlight, the kid-centric Star Trek: Prodigy series has been cancelled at Paramount+, with the first season soon to be removed from the platform. The show is the latest victim of tax write-off axing, as the streamer joins a list of companies seeking to cut costs by parting ways with underperforming shows.
According to the streamer, the new season will complete post-production and the studio will be looking for a new home for the series. It also noted Season 1 will be coming off the service shortly.
“On behalf of everyone at Paramount+, Nickelodeon and CBS Studios, we want to thank Kevin and Dan Hageman, Ben Hibon, Alex Kurtzman and the Secret Hideout team, along with the fantastic cast and crew for all their hard work and dedication bringing the series to life,” said a Paramount+ rep in a statement.
In addition to Prodigy, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Queen of the Universe and The Game have also concluded their runs and will not be returning to the service. The similarly underperforming shows will be removed soon as the streamer prepares to incorporate Showtime onto the platform.
“In the unified Paramount+ with Showtime plan, the Showtime portfolio of edgy, critically acclaimed programming will complement the broad and popular Paramount+ library in a seamless offering that appeals to everyone, enables more discovery between the brands and builds overall viewership,” a Paramount+ spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
The original animated series Star Trek: Prodigy is the first of its franchise aimed at a younger demographic. The show follows a group of lawless teens as they utilize a derelict Starfleet ship to search for adventure, meaning, and salvation. The series will now search the universe for a new platform to call home after post-production is completed.
Star Trek: Prodigy is produced by Nickelodeon Animation, led by President of Animation Ramsey Naito; and CBS Studios’ Eye Animation Productions; and Rod Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Katie Krentz, Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers, alongside co-showrunners Kevin and Dan Hageman (Trollhunters and Ninjago) and Ben Hibon (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1), who also directs and serves as executive producer and the creative lead of the animated series.
Paramount+ and Paramount Global will continue to invest in growing the Star Trek franchise with recently announced new titles Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, geared towards young adult audience, and the special movie event Star Trek: Section 31, in addition to its current slate. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has been confirmed for a third season, while animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks will return for its fourth season later this year, in addition to the upcoming final season of Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Picard. The franchise is consistently one of the most watched on Paramount+.
Other, yet unannounced, series are also expected to be removed in the coming weeks.
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