trekcore:

trekcore:

BREAKING: Upcoming 5th Season of Star Trek: Discovery to be it’s last…

Star Trek: Discovery to Conclude with Fifth and Final Season in Early 2024

Celebrate one of its longest-running original dramas globally with events in key markets around the world leading up to the series’ finale!

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To Our Dearest Disco Family

A message from Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise

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For everyone who was expecting 7 seasons, I think just like the 26 episodes a season era, 7 seasons are a thing of the past. If you look at even the most successful streaming series, there are very few who get to 7 seasons. This is because of the business model of streaming (cancel quickly + prioritize new shows that bring in new subscriptions) and the long standing contract lengths. As far as I understand (and if anyone knows better, please correct me) the length of a Hollywood series contract is 6 years. There is a renegotiation/exit option at 3 years? But 6 is the standard term Hollywood expects and prepares a successful show to go.

TNG, Voyager and DS9 all had to sign everyone for that extra 7th season, often with pay raises. Jeri Ryan has stated she was prepared to leave after her 3 years, and decided to do season 7 for the significant salary increase because her mother was ill. There was speculation Patrick Stewart and Kate Mulgrew would leave during their negotiations for their 7th years. There was also speculation Patrick Stewart would leave after 3 seasons (Best of Both Worlds) though he’s said he never even considered it.

All this is to say: Discovery ending in 5 seasons is a bit of a surprise (I expected 6) but sadly it is the norm now. In fact, it’s actually an indicator of it’s success that it got 5 seasons. Most streaming series do not get to 5. Many do not get to 4. A generally successful streaming series is 3 seasons at this juncture.