When CBS announced that the only way to get the new series was by coughing-up $5.99, it was slammed as a corporate cash-grab. It also raised concerns as to how users outside the US and Canada would be able to watch the show, if at all. Netflix's presence allays those fears, and saves everyone else in the world from having to sign up to yet another streaming service. The fact that Bryan Fuller and Nicholas Meyer -- who was involved with all the good Trek films -- are now involved with the show means it's time to be hopeful. Much like Star Trek: The Next Generation pioneered the first-run syndication model, it looks like the show will, once again, circumvent old broadcast models.

Update: The story has been edited to reflect that Bell Media has signed a similar deal to Netflix in order to distribute Star Trek 2017 in Canada.