Netflix is where South African viewers will have to watch the new Star Trek TV series from early 2017, with Netflix that has grabbed the exclusive international licensing rights for the new drama series.
While the expectation was that either M-Net or Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) ShowMax would secure the 13-episode first season from CBS Studios International, its Netflix that grabbed the international rights.
While CBS All Access will show Star Trek in America, Netflix will be the home of Star Trek in 188 countries. Each episode of the new Star Trek - no cast or time period setting has yet been announced - will be available globally within 24 hours after an episode is shown in The United States.
Unlike most Netflix series where whole seasons and series are available for binge-watching, Star Trek will roll out a new episode weekly for online streaming.
Besides grabbing the new Star Trek, Netflix in a statement says that by the end of this year all 727 existing episodes of the iconic Star Trek television library - Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise will be available on Netflix around the world.
Both Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation that were remastered into a new high definition (HD) version, as well as Star Trek: Enterprise will be available on Netflix in HD.
Filming on the new Star Trek with Alex Kurtzman and Bryan Fuller as co-executive producers will start in September in Toronto, Canada, with the first episode show in January 2017.
"The launch of the new Star Trek will truly be a global television event," says Armando Nuñez, president and CEO of CBS Studios International.
"Star Trek is already a worldwide phenomenon and this international partnership will provide fans around the world, who have been craving a new series for more than a decade, the opportunity to see every episode virtually at the same time as viewers in the United States."
"Thanks to our world-class partners at Netflix, the new Star Trek will definitely be 'hailing on all frequencies' throughout the planet."
"Star Trek is one of the most iconic shows in television history and we're thrilled to partner with CBS to bring the beloved series to Trekkies around the world," says Sean Carey, the vice president of Global Television at Netflix in the statement.
"The newest chapter of the story promises to continue the rich tradition of adventure and is sure to excite fans everywhere Netflix is available".
