Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Loses Steam on Paramount+

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The new Starfleet Academy series, which has proven controversial among fans, started strong on streaming platforms. However, its initial popularity seems to be fading quickly, just three days after its release.

According to data from FlixPatrol, a TV show on Paramount+ was popular in the United States on January 16th, ranking among the top 10. However, its popularity quickly declined – it fell to number 6 by January 17th and remained there on the 18th. This trend was also seen in other countries, like the United Kingdom, where the show went from 3rd to 5th, and eventually to 10th place.

By January 10th, just four days after its release, the show had reached number 10 in the U.S., but it quickly disappeared from the top charts on Paramount+ worldwide. Interestingly, despite being part of a well-known science fiction series, it hasn’t managed to become the most popular show.

I’ve been following Starfleet Academy, and while it hasn’t been doing great on Paramount+, I’m happy to see it’s found a bit of success on Amazon Channels! According to FlixPatrol, it started at number 7 on January 16th, and even climbed up to number 3 by January 18th. It’s good to see some positive movement for the show.

The show continued to be number one in Germany, where it premiered at the top on January 16th and stayed there for three days before moving to second place. Unexpectedly, it also climbed to second place on Amazon Channels in the U.S. by January 19th.

The streaming performance of Starfleet Academy is mirroring the mixed reactions from fans. The show, a new installment in the Star Trek universe, has proven controversial, with some viewers criticizing it as being too focused on current social issues. Set nearly 300 years in the future, the series follows a fresh group of Starfleet cadets as they train to become officers.

The new series features a cast of newcomers playing Starfleet Academy cadets, such as Sandro Rosta, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, and Bella Shepard. It also stars Holly Hunter, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr.

Alongside the core cast of Starfleet Academy, Mary Wiseman, Rebecca Quin, Jeremy Culhane, Brian David Gilbert, and Rekha Shankar will appear as guest stars, including Mary Wiseman as Nus Braka, a character with Klingon and Tellarite heritage and a mysterious link to one of the students.

Critics and Fans Remain Heavily Divided on Starfleet Academy

Whether Starfleet Academy will improve its viewership or continue to decline remains unclear. However, the new series, which premiered on Paramount+ on January 15th with its first two episodes, is currently “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting an 87% approval rating from critics. Despite this, audience reactions have been notably more critical.

With over 500 ratings, the audience score for Starfleet Academy is currently low at 43%. While critics have liked the show’s humor and fresh approach, viewers are split on whether it’s a success. Online reviews show a wide range of opinions, from strong disapproval – one fan called it a ‘disgrace’ to the Star Trek legacy – to enjoyment of its new direction. As one longtime fan put it, ‘It’s not the same…and that’s okay. It’s something new and different. I enjoyed it.’

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount+.

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2026-01-19 17:06