Netflix Obtains Exclusive International Rights To New "Star Trek" Series

CBS Studios International and Netflix have signed an international licensing agreement that will bring the new "Star Trek" television series exclusively to the popular streaming platform. The new series will be available to subscribers in 188 countries, excluding the U.S. and Canada, where CBS will still have the rights to the show, according to Variety.

By the end of this year, Netflix will be the home for a wide variety of "Star Trek" content including: all 727 episodes of the previous "Star Trek" TV series, "Star Trek: The Original Series," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Star Trek: Voyager," and "Star Trek: Enterprise."

Armando Nunez, president and CEO at CBS Studios International stated regarding the recent deal with Netflix: "The launch of the new 'Star Trek' will truly be a global television event. 'Star Trek' is a worldwide phenomenon and this international partnership will provide fans around the world, who have been craving a new series for more than a decade, the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the U.S. Thanks to our world-class partners at Netflix, the new 'Star Trek' will definitely be 'hailing on all frequencies' throughout the planet."

According to a press statement: "The franchise will return to television for the first time since 2005 with a new ship, new characters and new missions, while embracing the same ideology and hope for the future that inspired a generation."

The new series is set for a January 2017 premiere as production will begin in September in Toronto. In the U.S., the series will launch in January as well but on the CBS Television Network.

Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman are co-creating the upcoming show and will be taking on executive producer duties. The show will be based on Gene Roddenberry's original series. Fuller previously kickstarted his career writing for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Voyager." Kurtzman co-wrote and produced on the "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness" theatrical releases.

Do you plan on tuning in for the new "Star Trek" series in January 2017?