After a highly active rumor mill regarding a proposed ‘new’ Star Trek series finally quieted down earlier this year, it would appear CBS *is* actually developing a new TV show in Federation Space.  Let me first say, this is not entirely unexpected.  With so many amazing and professional “fan projects” continuing the lore and story of Star Trek, it makes complete sense the current owners of the franchise rights would want to capitalize on the resurgent popularity.  And just to make it completely clear, as it stands right now, J.J. Abrams has nothing to do with this new show.

The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for “CBS All Access“, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. (CBS All Access already offers every episode of all previous Star Trek television series)  Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek 09, Star Trek: Into Darkness) will serve as executive producer for the new Star Trek TV series.

“There is no better time to give Star Trek fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”

“This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run Star Trek series has gone before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media. “We’ve experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic Star Trek, and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series.”

In all honesty, I will believe this project when I see it, this is not the first time a new series has been ‘officially announced’ only to be burned to the ground in the following weeks.  If you want new classic Trek fare RIGHT NOW, check out Axanar, check out Continues, check out all the amazing professional independant productions that continue the lore and excitement of that first set of voyages put forth by Gene Roddenberry.

The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film Star Trek: Beyond which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2016.