In a depressingly increasing trend, Paramount+ is removing some of its original programming from its platform, including the first season of Star Trek: Prodigy, to get a tax write-off.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the streamer has canceled Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, the competition series Queen of the Universe and The Game, and reneged on its season two order for Star Trek: Prodigy. To add insult to injury, all of the existing seasons of those shows will be removed from Paramount+ imminently so the company can get a sweet tax benefit and also to provide a “seamless offering” when Paramount+ combines with Showtime next week. Here’s the company’s fully jargoned statement to The Hollywood Reporter:
“In the unified Paramount+ with Showtime plan, the Showtime portfolio of edgy, critically acclaimed programming will complement the broad and popular Paramount+ library in a seamless offering that appeals to everyone, enables more discovery between the brands and builds overall viewership. As we prepare to combine Paramount+ and Showtime later this month in the U.S., we are refining our content offering to deliver the best streaming experience for subscribers. This is consistent with our content strategy since launch and across our business, which ensures we make smart, efficient choices, informed by audience data and insights. We are removing select programming as we look to optimize Showtime’s robust slate of premium originals.”
Sounds great, Paramount+, but it’s also hard not to notice that all of these shows are either animated and/or heavily feature those from the queer or Black community.
The good news for Prodigy fans (of which I am one), is that season two of the show will complete its post-production work and will be shopped somewhere else, so there’s a very good chance we’ll see more episodes, just not on Paramount+.
