More homework for “Star Trek: Inspiring Culture and Technology”.

To what extent did the business model of network television enable Star Trek: The Original Series to appeal to such a wide range of audiences? In ways did that same model constrain it?

Network television, and especially the syndication concept, made it possible to reach a lot of different audiences. Viewers would know when the show would air. Broad, family friendly programming filled the need at the networks to cater to a very wide range of audiences – to hit all segments of society with advertising. And Star Trek provided a narrative of a positive future. With a cast that covered almost all segments of viewers.

Network television and syndication also hampered the series. Or rather the lack of information about what demographics actually watched it. That meant that it appeared to get too few viewers, and was subsequently cut.

And that should get me to the rank of ensign: