Is Star Trek: Discovery's Transfer to E4 a Vindication or a Sign of Struggles? Debunking the Myth

As the article notes, Netflix continues to have 'first window rights' for Star Trek: Discovery, meaning new episodes will show up on the platform first before being released on E4, a British free-to-air channel. This move sparks the question: Is it a sign that Discovery is struggling on pay-per-view, or a vindication that it would eventually be sold to standard TV and I was right not to pay?

First Window Rights and Popularity on Netflix

According to data, Star Trek: Discovery was the 5th most popular show on Netflix in 2019. This suggests that the show has a significant following and successful viewership on the platform. CBS and Netflix's deal, which likely only covered exclusivity on content for a few years, is likely behind the move to release the show on E4. This is the conventional method by which rights holders to TV shows make money.

Are You Right Not to Pay Subscription Fees for Discovery?

Deciding whether to pay a subscription fee for Netflix to watch Star Trek: Discovery is a personal judgement call. Personally, while enjoying the show, one would not be willing to pay a tenner a month just for Discovery, but the platform has enough other content to keep the subscriber entertained. It's a matter of weighing the cost against the benefits and whether you would derive enough enjoyment from the subscription to justify it.

Release Patterns and TV Series Rights

Many TV series, including Star Trek: Discovery, follow a windowed release pattern. Initially, they are released on premium platforms like Netflix, designed to drive subscriptions. When the value from these platforms is maximized, rights holders often sell the content to free-to-air channels as the next window. This pattern is common and implies that your prediction that Star Trek series would eventually end up on FTA channels in the UK is sound.

As with most entertainment products, the longer you are willing to wait, the less you tend to pay. This is why many popular shows eventually find their way to free-to-air channels, making their content accessible to a broader audience at a lower cost.

Furthermore, the process of moving content from premium platforms to free-to-air is often driven by the desire to recoup the costs of production and maximize revenue. CBS, the rights holder, likely sees an opportunity to make more money by selling the show to E4, which can be done more cost-effectively than maintaining exclusive rights on premium platforms.

Conclusion

Star Trek: Discovery's move to E4, while potentially concerning for those expecting the show to remain exclusive to Netflix, is a common practice in the entertainment industry. It signifies an effort to maximize revenue and reach a broader audience, rather than a sign of struggling content. Understanding the windowing process and the reasons behind such moves can help viewers make more informed decisions about their entertainment consumption.