Who Owns the Star Trek Franchise

Who Owns Star Trek Today

The Star Trek franchise is owned by Paramount Global, which controls the television series, films, and licensing through its various divisions. The franchise originated with creator Gene Roddenberry and has changed hands through corporate mergers, but Paramount Global remains the central rights holder as of now.

History of Ownership

Original production was handled by Desilu Productions, which became part of Paramount Pictures in the 1960s. Over subsequent decades, corporate restructurings, including the formation of Viacom and later ViacomCBS and Paramount Global, shifted the franchise under the same parent company umbrella. Each transition preserved Paramount's control over the brand and its expanding library of content.

Key Divisions and Production

Paramount Pictures handles the film slate, while Paramount Television Studios produces the series. Licensing and merchandising are managed through separate arms of the company, which also oversees streaming distribution, primarily through Paramount+.

Streaming and Distribution

Paramount+ serves as the primary streaming home for current Star Trek series, including titles such as Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. Licensing agreements for older content have shifted over time, with past availability on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, but Paramount Global retains ownership of the core library.

Licensing and Future Ownership

The franchise's future ownership structure will depend on corporate strategy, potential studio acquisitions, and ongoing negotiations with talent and production partners. For now, all major creative and commercial decisions flow through Paramount Global and its subsidiaries.