William Shatner Ceral Post on X Outperforms Starfleet Academy Premiere as Audience Rejects Modern Star Trek

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William Shatner caused a huge spike in viewers for the Starfleet Academy premiere on YouTube with a single post on X (formerly Twitter) emphasizing the benefits of dietary fiber.

It’s now clear that viewers aren’t enjoying Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The negative response isn’t just coming from a few online critics – it’s showing up everywhere you look, in all types of feedback and data.

And yes, it was Raisin Bran. 😉 @KelloggsUS #Ad

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 23, 2026

The new Star Trek series has faced further embarrassment. After a livestream showing just a plastic Spock action figure attracted more viewers than the show’s debut, it was outperformed by—of all things—a Kellogg’s cereal commercial starring William Shatner.

This is not a comparison Paramount wants to be part of — but the numbers make it unavoidable.

William Shatner Kellogg’s Ad Draws More Engagement Than Starfleet Academy

William Shatner recently explained a photo of himself eating cereal in his car in a sponsored post on X (formerly Twitter). He said he was simply enjoying a healthy and fiber-rich breakfast.

Even though the post was informal, upbeat, and didn’t mention the current Star Trek shows, it surprisingly received more attention than the main series produced by Paramount.

And yes, it was Raisin Bran. 😉 @KelloggsUS #Ad

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 23, 2026

As of today, William Shatner’s post about Kellogg’s on X (formerly Twitter) has received 318,000 views, 10,000 likes, and 1,000 shares.

A single sponsored post on social media actually got more attention than the initial launch of a big-budget TV show based on a famous movie or brand.

Starfleet Academy YouTube Numbers are Terrible

I was really excited when Paramount put the first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on YouTube for free! It seemed like a great way to get people like me hooked on the new show.

The response was overwhelmingly negative.

Currently, the official YouTube video has received 218,000 views in the first 9 days, along with 8,000 likes and a significant 27,000 dislikes.

This release has far more negative feedback than positive – over three times as many dislikes as likes. This is unusual for an established franchise, particularly since it’s available to watch for free.

Starfleet Academy Quickly Fell Off Paramount+ Streaming Charts

The disappointing results weren’t just on YouTube. The new series Starfleet Academy launched at only number three on Paramount+’s own streaming charts – a weak beginning for a show expected to be a key part of the service’s offerings.

The show dropped quickly in popularity. Just four days after it premiered, Starfleet Academy disappeared from Paramount+’s list of the top 10 most-watched shows.

Mass Cultural Rejection of Kurtzman-Era Star Trek

When viewed together, the data tells a consistent story.

Look, people still love Star Trek, the idea itself is totally solid. But let’s be honest, the recent films and shows – what many call the ‘Kurtzman-era’ Trek – just aren’t hitting the mark with audiences. It’s not a rejection of the universe, it’s a rejection of this version of it.

William Shatner, best known as Captain Kirk from the original Star Trek, still easily captures the public’s imagination. Surprisingly, newer characters and actors haven’t managed to create the same level of genuine excitement.

Legacy Star Trek Icons Still Have Cultural Power

While Hollywood claims the key to Star Trek‘s success is attracting new fans with fresh stories and characters, box office results tell a different story.

I couldn’t believe it when a simple cereal commercial with William Shatner talking about fiber actually got more positive reaction online than the announcement of a free Star Trek premiere! It really hit me then – people are responding to authenticity and a bit of fun, and it doesn’t always matter what the product is. It was a surprising realization!

This isn’t review bombing. It’s mass audience disengagement.

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2026-01-24 18:58