The Next Generation May Be More Popular, But Star Trek: Discovery Has It Beat In 1 Specific Way

By John Orquiola

Published Feb 8, 2025

Followed

Thread 19

Custom image by Ana Nieves

Star Trek: The Next Generation may be more popular, but there's one specific way that Star Trek universe on network TV and syndication.

Like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Discovery also kicked off a new era. With its 2017 premiere, Star Trek: Discovery ended a 12-year drought of Star Trek: Enterprise. Discovery also brought Star Trek into the streaming era, where new Star Trek is now found exclusively on Paramount+ (and Netflix in the case of Star Trek: Prodigy). Like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Discovery was the flashpoint of another expansion of the Star Trek universe that could become even bigger than what TNG built.

Star Trek: Discovery Created More Spinoffs Than TNG

More Discovery Spinoffs May Still Be On The Way

Star Trek: The Next Generation continues to be more beloved by legions of Star Trek fans, but Star Trek: Discovery has created more spinoffs than TNG. Discovery's successful 5 seasons on Paramount+ led to the advent of Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Section 31, and soon, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Holly Hunter, Michelle Yeoh as Emperor Georgiou in Section 31, and Captain Pike in Strange New Worlds

Star Trek’s Next 2 Shows Have Nothing To Do With Section 31

Star Trek: Section 31 doesn't factor into the next two Star Trek shows scheduled on Paramount+, which are set in different Star Trek eras.

Posts 5

In addition, Star Trek on Paramount+ also produced Star Trek: Short Treks and the animated Star Trek: very Short Treks. Although only Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, and Section 31 are directly tied to Discovery, it's an impressive count of eight spinoffs in a variety of formats, with more potentially on the way.

In development is a live-action Star Trek comedy from Star Trek: Lower Decks' Tawny Newsome and Justin Simien.

In contrast, Star Trek: The Next Generation spawned three spinoffs, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. DS9 and Voyager were set concurrently with TNG, and together they opened up the breadth of Star Trek's 24th century universe. Star Trek: Enterprise was the franchise's first prequel set 200 years before TNG that helped build the foundation of Starfleet's history of exploration.

TNG Has Discovery Beat With Star Trek Movie Spinoffs

Star Trek: The Next Generation Had 4 Movies

However, Star Trek: Discovery's streaming era is far behind Star Trek: The Next Generation when it comes to Star Trek movie spinoffs. TNG made the leap to feature films in 1994 with Star Trek Generations. Three more followed: 1996's Star Trek: First , 1998's Star Trek: Insurrection, and 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis. While TNG's movies vary in quality and audience affection, Star Trek: First is generally regarded as a classic and one of the best overall Star Trek movies.

Captain Seven of Nine in Star Trek Picard season 3 and Emperor Georgiou in Star Trek Section 31

I'm Afraid Section 31 Just Killed Star Trek Streaming Movies

Star Trek: Section 31 is the first Star Trek streaming movie on Paramount+, and it could also be the last after its critical and audience reception.

Posts 28

Thus far, Star Trek: Discovery has led to one Star Trek movie made for streaming on Paramount+: Star Trek: Section 31. Star Trek movies stalled after Star Trek Beyond in 2016, and there has not been a new Star Trek theatrical movie release in almost a decade. Star Trek: Section 31 is hopeful to spawn a sequel and more Star Trek streaming movies, but that future is in doubt after the poor reception Section 31 received from critics and Star Trek fans.

TNG’s Star Trek Era Is Something Discovery's Spinoffs Can’t Match

Streaming Star Trek Can't Compete With Network & Sydincation Era Volume

Star Trek: Discovery's total spinoffs may outnumber Star Trek: The Next Generation's, but Star Trek's streaming era can't match the franchise's network TV and syndication era. Star Trek TV shows from TNG's time period typically produced 22-26 episodes a year, with only Star Trek: Enterprise airing for four seasons instead of seven. TNG's Star Trek shows produced hundreds of episodes which streaming simply can't equal.

Longtime Star Trek fans also lament the lack of "filler episodes," low-stakes stories that focus on minor characters.

Star Trek: Discovery's 5 seasons totaled 65 episodes, but Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' seasons only consist of 10 episodes each. Star Trek: Prodigy's 2 seasons also delivered 20 episodes. It would take many more years and more Star Trek TV shows for Star Trek: Discovery's era to equal the total output of Star Trek: The Next Generation and its spinoffs.