source: Trek Today
Tim Gaskill, editorial director at the official Star Trek web site, has sent out an e-mail to people involved with Star Trek to alert them that Paramount Digital Entertainment will be shut down at the end of the year, leaving the fate of StarTrek.com in limbo.
"As if we needed further reminding that the fate of Star Trek is a tenuous one at best, it has been announced that Paramount Digital Entertainment, the home to STARTREK.COM since 1996, is shutting its doors as of 12/31/05," Gaskill wrote to current and former Paramount and Star Trek staffers. "Rather than go quietly, we are in the midst of preparing a presentation for the powers-that-be designed to show the vast scope and depth to the site, and how it is a 'go to' site for anyone in the world in search of Star Trek information."
Gaskill noted that the split of Viacom and CBS had cost many jobs on the Paramount lot. Moreover, he explained that the division of the giant media corporation had not yet settled Star Trek with either Paramount Pictures or the television production division: "We think CBS will be taking it over. (Even though it will be forever identified as a Paramount product.) As a result of this lack of clarification on the ownership of the franchise, the fate of STARTREK.COM also hangs in the balance."
Gaskill asked people involved with Star Trek whether they would be willing to write testimonials on behalf of StarTrek.com to use in the presentation to try to preserve the web site. "It would be very gratefully received," he said, admitting that his own job, which has included recording commentary for podcasts, is one that will terminate at the end of 2005 unless new plans are made for the site.
"This is a great franchise and it would be sad to see it sink into an abyss of lost TV and movie franchises. I would like to think that we could do better...STARTREK.COM is used not only by fans of the show, but by licensees to promote their products, various Paramount departments (including production), convention organizers, news organizations, advertisers, etc." Gaskill concluded, saying that the site's value for the franchise and the studio would be difficult to assess.
Update: 12/8/05
Trek United has confirmed through 'numerous sources' that in fact Star Trek.com will be closed as of Dec.31 of this year. The website, which has been in operation since 1995 has been the gathering place, and clearing house for all information related to the sereis based on Gene Roddenberry's vision started almost 40 years ago.
Tim Brazeal, The head of Trek United, has contacted Eugene'Rod'Roddenberry (Rod's site is here) to ask if there would be any way possible for the Roddenberry family to become involved in a project to save the Site, and continue it's operation. Roddenberry stated that if there was any possible way he copuld help, that he would. Rod also mentioned that he had the capibillity to manage the site, and domain. Mr. Roddenberry is in the process of placing together a proposal to be presented to Paramount Pictures within the next 2 weeks to see if there could be a relationship worked out between then to keep the site alive.
Rod has the backing of the fans. Trek United, and Sci-Fi News support Rod, and the chance of saving one of the worlds greatest television masterpieces.
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