Unexpected Destinations Await Star Trek: Prodigy After Paramount+ Streaming Shake-Up

Star Trek: Prodigy's unexpected cancellation and removal from Paramount+ necessitates finding a new streaming platform, with various options available, some more favorable than others. Despite a successful first season and a prompt renewal for a second season, Prodigy has fallen victim to the current challenges faced by streaming services. Paramount+, like many others, is striving to reduce spending on original content to maintain financial viability. However, discontinuing Prodigy seems counterproductive considering its acclaim from both critics and fans. It's worth noting that Star Trek, along with Taylor Sheridan's flourishing Yellowstone TV universe, plays a crucial role in Paramount+'s success.

Fortunately, Prodigy's cancellation at Paramount+ doesn't spell the end for the show. Season 2 was nearly finished production when the decision was made, and discussions have already begun among the show's producers about relocating it to another streaming service. While no final decisions have been made, the initial talks have been promising. However, there is still uncertainty about which streaming platform would be the most suitable for the series, although any platform would be fortunate to have Prodigy.

7 Max

6 Disney+

at this stage, the streamer formerly known as HBO Max, is facing significant challenges. The joint venture between Warner Bros and Discovery has had a turbulent start, plagued by problems such as a glitchy user interface, incorrect creator credits, and the jarring juxtaposition of high-quality HBO shows like Succession and Barry with lesser-known Discovery programs like My Five Wives and Breaking Amish. Moreover, HBO Max has also made the unfortunate decision to reduce its once-impressive content library without considering the artistic merit of each project. These issues should raise serious concerns for the producers of Star Trek: Prodigy. Considering the current state of affairs, HBO Max is undoubtedly the least desirable platform for Dal R'El (Brett Gray) and the USS Protostar crew.

Disney+ started off strong with hits like The Mandalorian and various Marvel series, but the initial excitement has since dwindled. It's no secret that Disney has struggled to maintain consistent quality with its Star Wars projects, although Andor has been praised as a standout. Moreover, recent MCU offerings on the streaming service, such as Secret Invasion and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, haven't reached the same level of success as previous Marvel series. Disney+ also seldom features third-party content, except for well-known shows like Bluey and Doctor Who from the BBC. While there are numerous logical reasons why Star Trek: Prodigy should steer clear of Disney+, it also feels somehow inappropriate for both Star Trek and Star Wars to coexist on the same platform. However, considering the early associations made between Prodigy and Star Wars, it might actually be a more suitable match within the realm of Lucasfilm's content.

5 Hulu

Hulu is presently a joint venture between Disney and NBCUniversal, although NBCUniversal is set to divest its stake to the House of Mouse, indicating that Hulu will probably soon be wholly owned by Disney. Hulu collaborates with a few additional third-party studios compared to Disney+, although not many, and that practice is expected to become more constrained once Disney assumes full ownership. Moreover, it is improbable for Disney to maintain two distinct streaming services, making a merger between Disney+ and Hulu highly likely in the near future. Given these circumstances, it would be prudent for Star Trek: Prodigy, Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), and their associates to steer clear of any involvement with Disney in general.

4 Peacock

Although an underdog in the streaming wars, Peacock is currently a solid contender. It boasts acclaimed titles like Rian Johnson's Poker Face and the mind-bending sci-fi miniseries Mrs. Davis, alongside beloved sitcom classics like The Office and Parks & Recreation. Additionally, Peacock has a partnership with Paramount and offers licensed series such as Everybody Hates Chris and Ray Donovan. However, the main concern for Star Trek: Prodigy would be Peacock's uncertain future. It is at risk of either shutting down or merging with a larger streaming platform in the near future.

3 Netflix

2 Prime Video

: Although Netflix was once the undisputed leader in streaming, its dominance has waned. However, it still remains a relatively good option for Star Trek: Prodigy. Netflix had previously been the international platform for the first three seasons of Star Trek: Discovery, a series that they also co-financed. The collaboration between Netflix and Paramount came to an end due to Paramount's focus on expanding internationally, rather than any animosity between the two companies. It is possible that both parties would be open to working together again if they saw it as mutually beneficial. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that Star Trek: Prodigy will have a long-term future on Netflix beyond its second season, as Netflix has gained a reputation for canceling shows early and prefers to create its own original content.

Star Trek: Prodigy has been voted as the top choice among fans in a recent poll, with Prime Video standing out as the preferred platform. This comes as no surprise considering Paramount's successful collaboration with Prime, which served as the international platform for all three seasons of Star Trek: Picard. Prime Video is not only backed by its strong partnership with Paramount, it also has the advantage of being part of Amazon Prime, ensuring its stability even during the current industry slowdown. Known for its reliability, Prime Video offers a user-friendly interface and an extensive collection of content. Star Trek: Prodigy would truly benefit from finding its home on Prime Video.

1 Paramount+

Content: Paramount+'s decision to end Star Trek: Prodigy is a perplexing and avoidable mistake. The streaming platform initially aimed to be the exclusive destination for all Star Trek series and films, making their choice even more puzzling. Additionally, Paramount+ will require more Star Trek content in the near future. With Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery coming to an end after their upcoming seasons, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 concluding, the only new Star Trek content scheduled for the remainder of 2023 is Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4. Paramount+ should acknowledge their error and bring Star Trek: Prodigy back to its rightful home.