Boldly going to VOD with bonus features.
Many Trekkies and Trekkers sounded off online alongside the trolls and so-called fans who launched a volley of criticisms and unwarranted hatemongering at the science fiction franchise’s latest live-action series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. However, for those out there like me who can appreciate most, if not all, aspects of Gene Roddenberry’s beloved universe, SFA season 1 is now available to own on the usual video-on-demand (VOD) digital platforms.
Star Trek fans can purchase the entire first season in 4K UHD for only $29.99 on Fandango at Home, which is marked down for a limited time from $39.90. You can also own all 10 episodes of season 1 in HDX for $24.99 or in standard def for $19.99. Individual episodes can also be purchased separately as follows: $3.99 (4K UHD), $2.99 (HDX), and $1.99 (SD).
Six bonus features also accompany Starfleet Academy’s digital release, which includes its meatiest offering at 53 minutes. Titled First Year, this behind-the-scenes look at the Star Trek series “explores the building of the show, casting and the story and characters of season one with the producers, creatives and cast,” (per FAH).
There's also a 16-minute Starfleet Academy featurette that introduces those Star Trek fans who may not have seen the series yet to the young group of cadets at the heart of the show's storytelling. Sadly, though, I was disappointed to find that the gag reel SFA bonus feature was only four minutes long.
Both deleted scenes feature Academy Award winner Holly Hunter’s character Nahla Ake and her first officer from the USS Athena, Lura Thok (Gina Yashere). The second DS also includes Admiral Charles Vance (Oded Fehr).
There is also one extended scene available, which is now a four-minute Our Town montage, from the must-see Starfleet Academy episode, “The Life of the Stars." This particular episode is a terrific love letter to both The Doctor (Robert Picardo) and the classic Voyager television series.
Personally, the BTS extras don’t warrant paying the price to own Starfleet Academy, since I subscribe to Paramount+ and have access to all of Star Trek’s fantastic films and television series, with the exception of Prodigy. However, if you’ve heard the ridiculous criticisms, and are worried about giving SFA a shot, check out our ranking of season 1's episodes.
I thoroughly enjoyed Starfleet Academy, and I’m excited to watch the second and final season when it drops on streaming — likely in early 2027. Share your thoughts and comments with us on SFA’s digital release, and if you plan to purchase the first 10 episodes, via the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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