The Rise and Fall of Star Trek: A Deep Dive into Its Origins and Revival

Star Trek, a series that has captivated audiences for decades, experienced a significant moment in its history when it was canceled in the late 1960s and later brought back in 2009-2017. This article explores the reasons behind its cancellation and resurgence, analyzing various factors such as television scheduling, audience measurement, and the show's demographic appeal.

History of Star Trek on NBC

Star Trek first aired on NBC in 1966, marking its debut on American television. The show was a cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for a future that seamlessly blended science fiction with social commentary. Despite its initial success, Star Trek faced challenges in the following years. Much of the commentary on the history of the show is focused on perceived low Nielsen ratings and a lack of performance in other audience measuring fields. Yet, a careful study of the television landscape at the time reveals that these ratings results were not the only determining factor for the show's cancellation.

Why Was Star Trek Canceled?

The cancellation of Star Trek was not solely due to its ratings. An analysis of television schedules at the time shows that the show was often up against powerful situation comedies and CBS movies, which made its chances minimal. The early lead-off slot might have helped, but NBC likely favored the 8:30 pm slot for Star Trek due to its more adult themes in comparison to other space operas.

By the time the third season came around, Star Trek had its last big chance for an 8:00 pm opening. However, this was overshadowed by the network's firm decision to keep Jerry Lewis's early Tuesday time period. Additionally, NBC was trying to save High Chapparal by giving it a Friday 8:00 pm slot. The producers of the network's powerhouse show Bonanza also played a role in packaging High Chapparal.

Alternative Time Slots and Their Challenges

Considering Star Trek's cancellation, one could argue that in a conventional sense, it never had a chance. Yet, other science fiction shows in prime time were renewed despite low ratings, thanks to satisfied sponsors and adequate demographics. However, for some reason, Star Trek was deemed unsatisfactory.

Other alternative time slots were considered, such as Monday 8:00 pm, but the success of Laff in the mid-1967-1968 season ruled that out. Saturdays at 8:00 pm were also considered viable, but the opposition would have been the Jackie Gleason show, which was still strong in its closing days. Furthermore, NBC was keen on airing the new Adam 12 and reruns of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir at the beginning of the weekend.

Customer Satisfaction and Technical Partners

Despite the cancellation, it is noteworthy that RCA, the color set maker and NBC partner, was one of the few satisfied players in this game. This is evident from the print ads that appeared on line.

Recent information from authors' texts and university broadcast records also provide more insights into why Star Trek faced such challenges. It appears that the shows were required to deliver at least 30% of the mass audience every night. Perhaps this large audience was simply not captivated by Star Trek. This topic merits further study to better understand the cultural and social factors that influenced the show's fate.

While Star Trek was canceled in the late 1960s, its journey doesn't end there. Years later, in 2009-2017, the show was revived through various means, including a rebooted series, movies, and other media. The reasons for its revival are a different story, which will be explored in another article.

In conclusion, Star Trek's cancellation and subsequent revival highlight the complex interplay between commercial decisions, audience preferences, and cultural trends in the television industry. The show's enduring popularity and influence in the field of science fiction continue to inspire fans and creators alike.