Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a shockingly long way from airing

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a series that has a ton of potential behind it. Featuring major names like Holly Hunter, and Paul Giamatti and returning names from Star Trek like Tig Notaro, Oded Fehr, and even Robert Picardo, the show has a ton of reasons to be excited. It's our first real look into the life and times of a Starfleet Cadet and set against the backdrop of a rebuilding federation, it seems very interesting.

Plus, now there's a renewed focus for Star Trek to promote a more optimistic version of the Federation and the future (Section 31 notwithstanding), so it's likely the showrunners for the show will follow Strange New Worlds' presentation more than not. Coupled that with the next era of Star Trek actors and actresses and you have yourself one heck of a series.

At least in theory. We're never sure if anything is going to be good or bad, because how could we? There's nothing tangible to draw on just yet. So we're optimistic. That said, the one downer about the show is that it's not coming any time soon.

While originally we were excited over the possibility of a late 2025 offering, that no longer appears to be the case, and fans could be waiting nearly 18 months to see this new show finally. Speaking to TVO's The Agenda (TV Ontario), Robert Picardo revealed some rough news about the potential air date of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Apparently, fans may have to wait until the first part of 2026 before we get to see the show, with the former Star Trek: Voyager star saying (via TrekMovie.com)

"It’s going to be a while until people get to see it… I’ve heard early 2026."

Picardo of course would have an idea when the show will premier, after all, he is in it. He's returning to his role of The Doctor once again, a role he made famous on Voyager, and portrayed once again for Star Trek: Prodigy.

Now, he's coming back to live-action with his third show, this time Starfleet Academy. Yet, to have to wait anywhere from 14 to 18 months for a new show is just unacceptable. Especially since it's already begun filming. It used to be a show that would start filming in May and be ready to air in September or October. Sure, they'd have to keep filming for a few more months but the episodes they already shot would be airing. So it wasn't some big wait.

Nowadays, you have to wait 18 months at least in between seasons. Sometimes even longer. It's absurd and it's frankly unacceptable. Especially for the money we pay these streaming giants.