"These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise... Its five year mission..."

(setting -- the 23rd century)

This is where it all began. The founding Star Trek series ran from 1966 through 1969, for a total of three seasons and 79 episodes. Sometimes referred to as "a Wagon Train to the stars," classic STAR TREK features the adventures of the crew of the Constitution-class Starship Enterprise on its five year mission to explore outer space.

Star Trek was produced for the US NBC network by Desilu studios, since merged into Paramount Pictures. The series ran for three seasons, from 1966 to 1969. The last show went to air a few weeks before Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. The series was never terribly popular while on air in the US, but it soon became a cult hit when repeated endlessly on local stations across the US and around the world.

On board the starship is a diverse set of shipmates, which include many varieties of human and non-human individuals. Star Trek followed the lives of the Captain and crew of an interstellar spaceship, the U.S.S. Enterprise, on a mission of discovery and exploration in our galaxy.

In command of the starship is Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), followed by his half-Vulcan first officer Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and by their side, the opinionated Doctor Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley). To keep the warp engines humming at top speed is the Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (James Doohan), to choose a star to steer by is Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) at the helm, and the young Ensign Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) arms phasers and photon torpedoes to protect all in a crunch. Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) is in charge of all the ship's communications. There to aid the ship's doctor is Nurse Christine Chapel (Majel Barrett).

The ship used faster-than-light 'warp' drive to move through space with ease, and teams from the ship would 'beam down' to planets or other objects of interest through the use of molecular transporter technology, which dematerialised then re-materialised atoms in their correct form.

The five year mission lasted only three years in Earth time. But the legacy of those three years of Star Trek gave the world a phenomenon yet to be matched by any other single television series. While Star Trek lasted only three seasons on first-run television, in syndication the series spawned a fan following that numbers in the millions. From that first series has sprung an incredible number of spin-offs: an animated series, three television series, seven (soon to be eight) feature films, and hundreds of novels and consumer products.

Following their late success, Star Trek was resurrected as a Saturday morning animated show in 1973, with 22 half-hour episodes produced. A new TV series, planned to anchor a new Paramount TV network in the late 1970s, was abandoned when Paramount failed to go through with their network plan (they did, eventually- Star Trek: Voyager anchors the new United Paramount Network, launched in 1995).

At the present time, the original Star Trek series is broadcast regularly in over 100 different countries around the world.

These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise... Its continuing mission..."
(setting -- the 24th century)

CHARTING NEW TERRITORY. "STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION" HAS BOLDLY GONE BEYOND A CULT FOLLOWING TO BECOME A TELEVISION ICON.

Following the success of the previous Star Trek series, which ran on the US NBC network from 1966 to 1969. The Next Generation is set in the years 2364-2370, more than ninety years after the original series. It ran from1987 until 1994, the producers of the second STAR TREK series dared to try in first-run syndication what had only been done once before on the television screen. This time, they produced a weekly series focusing on the adventures of the crew of a newer and bigger starship, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. 178 television hours were produced by Paramount Pictures, and the show was syndicated across the United States and around the world. The show was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 1994 Emmy awards.

This ship would fly under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, support a larger crew, and feature, on a weekly basis, some of the most technologically advanced special effects.

Ratings and Demographics Out-of-this-World

Since its premiere in 1987, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION has been breaking non-network boundaries and setting precedence for syndicated television, while admirably competing in its own right against network series. Comparable to network fare on many levels, the series has won 16 Emmy awards (more than any syndicated series ever), a Peabody, a Hugo, and was the first non-network show to be endorsed by the Viewers for Quality Television. Its 46 Emmy nominations to date make it the most-nominated dramatic series currently on television surpassing "Murder, She Wrote," "Northern Exposure" and "LA Law."

A bonafide hit since its first season, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION set ratings history during its sixth season as it ranked number one for an unprecedented four consecutive weeks, marking the first time in Nielsen ratings history that King World's "Wheel of Fortune" had been shut out of the top spot consecutively.

Ironically, the original "Star Trek" was discarded after criticism for attracting the wrong demographics while STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION has remained the number one hour-long series among the prized demographic groups of men, ages 18 - 49 and 18 - 34. It consistently out delivers all network prime-time hours including "60 Minutes" and "Northern Exposure." And, in fact, during the November 1992 sweeps period, beat all network prime-time programming in men 18 - 34 including "ABC Monday Night Football," "The Simpsons" and "Roseanne."

In 1993, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION posted stronger household ratings than the average prime-time network hour. The series captured an enormous viewing audience, 66 percent of which were between the ages of 18 - 49.

The seventh season premiere captured an extraordinary 15.4 rating/22 share in Los Angeles beating season premieres of CBS's "Murphy Brown" and "Love & War," with other markets mirroring Los Angeles's success with their own airings. As STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION finishes its seventh season, it remains one of television's top 10 hour-long series, amassing some of its highest ratings to date.

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION's appeal encompasses more than just the series itself. When Patrick Stewart graced the cover of TV Guide January 2, 1993, millions sold ranking it as the best-selling regular issue of 1993. Additionally, Patrick Stewart's stint at guest-hosting "Saturday Night Live" February 5, 1994 brought ratings above that show's average and ranked among the top five "Saturday Night Live" programs.

Because of its sweeping interest in the prosperity of the human race, the cache of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION has been instrumental in beaming aboard an eclectic slate of guest stars from sports, science, pop culture, music, film and television. A sampling of those who have made an Enterprise expedition a part of their career: world renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, Los Angeles Laker James.

The series stayed in production for a total of seven seasons, thanks to an ever-increasing populous of loyal STAR TREK fans, and ended with a total of 177 episodes. Star Trek: The Next Generation became the highest rated syndicated dramatic series on television as its run progressed, and is still in high demand today, running in syndication around the world.

The Galaxy-class Starship Enterprise is guided by a leader who is both an intellectual and an explorer, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). The second in command -- often referred to as "Number One" -- is First Officer William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), with their science officer, the android, Lieutenant Commander Data (Brent Spiner). Counsellor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) serves as the ship's psychologist, and seeing that all is well with the warp engines is Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton). Overseeing sickbay is Chief Medical Officer Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden). An interesting twist, Chief of Security Lieutenant Worf (Michael Dorn) serves as the only Klingon on the ship. Down below, in Ten Forward lounge, Whoopi Goldberg appears as the recurring character of Guinan. Frequently taunting the crew is the seemingly omnipotent being known simply as "Q" (John de Lancie).

Worthy, Mae Jemison, the country's first African-American woman in space, Emmy and Tony award winner Bebe Neuwirth, "Entertainment Tonight"'s John Tesh, Fleetwood Mac's namesake, Mick Fleetwood, all-around entertainer Ben Vereen, film legend Jean Simmons, comic Joe Piscopo -- as well as the recurring guest star, Oscar-winning comedienne Whoopi Goldberg.

Incarnations Orbiting Film, Television and Publishing

After its initial run, "Star Trek" came back to television before STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, in a Saturday morning cartoon which ran from 1973 - 75, with the original cast supplying the voices.

Then, "Star Trek" segued to the big-screen in 1979 with "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," which grossed an astonishing $112 million. The film's success inspired five sequels: "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn " (1982), " Star Trek III: The Search for Spock " (1984), " Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986), "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" (1989) and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991). Each motion picture was subsequently released on video cassette with 10 million video cassettes sold in 1991 alone.

In 1993, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION began to spin tales with its own heritage. By offering elements like the Bajoran race, the characters of Chief O'Brien and his wife, Keiko, and a Picard confrontation for its pilot, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION provided the impetus for another 24th century show, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," starring Avery Brooks. An instant success on more than 200 stations covering more than 99 percent of the country, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" -- chronicling the adventures of a team of Starfleet officers who take command of a remote alien space station -- set ratings history as it became the highest-rated series premiere in syndication history and stands poised to continue the trends of its predecessor. Capitalising on its indefatigable lure while seeking to quench its fans' unending appetite for more, principal photography begins this Spring on "Star Trek: Generations" scheduled for a Thanksgiving 1994 release. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" executive producer Rick Berman will serve as producer, Bernie Williams as executive producer; David Carson directs.

And "Star Trek" adds another docking point to its programming travels when a third instalment, "Star Trek: Voyager," begins production in August 1994. An hour-long action adventure, the series will premiere in January 1995 as the linchpin of the new Paramount Network. "Star Trek: Voyager" will veer in a different direction by taking place aboard a new class of Starfleet vessel. In the story line, the heroes join a renegade team of former Starfleet officers when both groups are trapped at the galaxy's edge leading them to find a new way home.

A Galaxy of Treasures

A 1993 study from Purdue University found that children learn more about science from "Star Trek" than anything else outside the home. That revelation symbolizes the public's voracity for products radiating with the show's ideals, technology and characters which have elicited $750 million in retail sales during the past five years.

After limited success with a few products from the series' initial run in the late 1960s, the first signs of "Star Trek"'s long-term impact on merchandising came in 1979 when Pocket books began releasing a series of "Star Trek" paperbacks. To date, the novels have sold close to 30 million copies, making it the best-selling series in publishing history. In addition to the novels, a variety of "Star Trek" books, including biographies and technical manuals, have landed on national best-seller lists more than 40 times.

While "Star Trek" launched the birth of fans known as "Trekkies," in 1987, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION was soon embraced by a new legion of fans known as "Trekkers." The circulation of the fan club news magazine soared from 25,000 copies to its current 105,000. In addition, fans -- clamouring for venues to buy, view and sell products -- attend conventions which have increased from 1,000 to 3,000 a year. For example, a 1991 Los Angeles convention drew 12,000 fans.

Although a balsa-wood model of the original Enterprise may hang from the ceiling of the Smithsonian Institution and Spock's plastic ear tips may have nabbed $1,100 at a 1993 Sotheby's auction, "Star Trek" items clearly have a broader-based appeal extending past hard-core fans and collectors.

More than 100 licensees dole out products like lunch pails, watches, Halloween costumes, mouse pads, trading cards -- even a Franklin Mint collection. Hallmark's 1993 Keepsake Ornament of the Enterprise-D quickly became one the best-selling ornaments since their Keepsake line was launched in 1973. Recent introductions include Playmates' action figures and a play set that allows the figures to be "beamed" in or out, and Galoob's Micro Machines which herald, among others, a Klingon Attack Cruiser.

Whatever the implementation, incarnation or success rate, viewers, fans and television experts agree that the "Star Trek" phenomenon has grown out of Gene Roddenberry's futuristic optimism, and his beliefs in human life and the human race's ability to triumph over greed, aggression and prejudice. As STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION voyages into its final episode, it stands as another probing, intelligent, influential component of one of the most popular entertainment franchises in history.

Rick Berman, Michael Piller and Jeri Taylor are executive producers of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Gene Roddenberry created the series. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION is produced by Paramount Network Television and distributed by Paramount Domestic Television. Paramount Television Group is part of the entertainment operations of Paramount Communications, Inc., which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc.

Following the end of the TV series, the movie Star Trek: Generations was released in November 1994. Paramount plans to release a new Next Generation movie every 18-24 months, the most recent one being Star Trek: First Contact, released in late November 1996. Recent film was "Insurrection" which came out in November 1998 here in Britain.

The adventures near a wormhole on the edge of the final frontier.
(setting -- the 24th century)

First made for U.S. syndication in 1992 and still in production today, the action moved from a starship to a space station. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is the third Star Trek series, after The Original Series and The Next Generation. It was launched by Paramount Pictures, and premiered in the US in January 1993, the first time two first-run Star Trek series had been in production at the same time. The show will complete its seventh and final season in 1998-1999.

Deep Space Nine is the first Star Trek series not set on a starship. Instead, it is set on a space station on the edge of newly explored space in the late 24th Century. Deep Space Nine is a station acquired from a warrior race known as the Cardassians, who withdraw from it as they ended their occupation of the planet Bajor, near which the station lies.

Deep Space Nine is commanded by Captain Benjamin Sisko (Avery Brooks), alongside Science Officer Jadzia Dax (Terry Farrell), Medical Officer Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig), Security Officer Odo (Rene Auberjonois), Chief Operations Officer Miles O'Brien -- formerly of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D -- (Colm Meaney), Bajoran First Officer Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor), and the Ferengi bartender Quark (Armin Shimerman).

Also along for the ride is the Captain's son, aspiring writer Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton). In the fourth season the crew was joined by a Star Trek: The Next Generation veteran, the Klingon Lieutenant Commander Worf (Michael Dorn).

DS9 sets the backdrop for a rich variety of alien culture and interaction: the Bajorans still deeply resent the Cardassians for brutally occupying them for a century; the Bajorans are suspicious of Federation motives; the Cardassians are also concerned about Federation expansion, and much reconstruction work has to take place of the battered Bajoran infrastructure.

The voyages of the Starship U.S.S. Voyager. (setting -- the 24th century)

Star Trek: Voyager is a US science fiction drama, based on the three successful previous Star Trek series. Produced by Paramount Pictures for its US TV network, UP, the series was conceived to fill the void after the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1994. Voyager premiered on UPN on 16 January. It is the first to feature a female Captain -- Kathryn Janeway. Set aboard the starship U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656, the ship and crew are marooned over 70,000 light years from Federation space and struggling to find a way home. The U.S.S. Voyager was carried beyond the explored limits of space while in pursuit of a rebel Maquis vessel, and out of necessity, the two marooned ships combined into a mismatched crew of Starfleet officers and Maquis rebels.

The main crew members of the U.S.S. Voyager are: Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Vulcan Security Chief Tuvok (Tim Russ), an Emergency Holographic Doctor (Robert Picardo), the former Maquis leader Chakotay serves as Janeway's first officer (Robert Beltran). A native of this region of space takes on the roles of Guide/Cook/Handyman, Neelix (Ethan Philips), who joined the vessel with an Ocampa companion Kes (Jennifer Lien) who has since evolved into a higher state of being. B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Biggs-Dawson), a half-Klingon and former Maquis member, serves as Chief Engineer and a recent Academy graduate Operations Officer Harry Kim (Garrett Wang). The ship's pilot is field-commissioned Lieutenant Tom Paris (Robert Duncan McNeill). Following an encounter with the Borg, the crew was joined by an assimilated human, designated Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) by the Borg.

Voyager follows the journeys of the USS Voyager, NCC-74656, which is hurtled 70,000 light years from Federation space while battling the rebel Maquis forces, who oppose Federation peace with the Cardassians. The Voyager and its crew are thus on an ever-lasting quest to find a quicker way home than the 70 years travel time offered by their warp drive. Along the way, they find strange new alien races, make new friends, and antagonise new enemies.