Hold on to your phasers, Star Trek fans: The entire first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is now freely available (adverts included) on YouTube, warming the engines for Season 2 which is warping into our screens in mid-June.
However, there’s a catch (besides the adverts): The free episodes are only available on the US version of YouTube, so UK viewers will be missing out (unless they use a VPN – see below).
- Update: Episode 1 of Season 2 is now free on YouTube – in the UK!
Normally, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is available on Paramount+ in the UK (and around the world) – but you have to get a subscription to watch it (or maybe watch the full season during your free 7-day trial).
It’s not unheard of for films and TV shows to go on YouTube for free – sometimes as a promotion for more episodes.
Last year, we saw House of The Dragon go free on YouTube (both in the US and the UK) – but only the first episode. Earlier – the entire James Bond collection was free on YouTube, for a time.
Getting an entire TV season for free (10 full episodes) is less common – but Paramount is using this method to promote Season 2 of the series – which is launching in the US and the UK (simultaneously) on June 15, 2023.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a television series that takes audiences back to the years Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the U.S.S. Enterprise, before Captain James T. Kirk took the helm.
Season 1 proved quite popular – both with audiences and critics. The upcoming Season 2 promises to push the boundaries of the franchise with a unique crossover episode that merges live-action with animation.
This special episode will feature characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks, Ensign Beckett Mariner and Ensign Brad Boimler, portrayed by Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid, joining the U.S.S. Enterprise crew.
Last week, four of the series stars – Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley), Ethan Peck (Spock), Celia Rose Gooding (Nyota Uhura), and Melissa Navia (Erica Ortegas), were beamed into London as live holograms, for a special promotional event.
Strange New Worlds Season 1 On YouTube
Starting today, and for a limited time (we don’t know how long exactly – so hurry up!), all 10 episodes of Strange New Worlds Season 1 are available to watch for free (and legally, of course) on the North American version of YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-PF7aPc7TQ&t=3s
Viewers in the UK, however, will see a “Video Is Not Available” error message – so they will have to sign up for Paramount+ (see below) – unless they use a VPN, which many use to “travel” to the US digitally.
We reached out the Paramount+ to ask whether there are plans to do a similar promotion in the UK – and will update this article accordingly.
How To Use A VPN To Watch US Content
Some streaming services (like YouTube, in this case) offer different content in different countries, while some are totally blocked when you’re not physically in the US.
However, with a VPN service – such as the one I usually recommend, NordVPN – you can bypass these geo-blocks.
Once you subscribe, you install the app on your device (NordVPN is available on Windows/Mac, Android and iPhone, and – if you want to watch on your TV – there’s even an Amazon Fire TV NordVPN app), choose a US server – and you’re good to go.
For more instructions, we have a full article on how to watch American streaming services in the UK.
How Can I Watch Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 In The UK?
If you want to watch all of Star Trek without using a VPN (or simply watch the upcoming Season 2 of Strange New Worlds) – it’s all available on Paramount+ in the UK.
The standalone Paramount+ app is available on most major streaming devices and Smart TVs sold in the UK, and you can sign up either directly via the Paramount+ app/website, or via Amazon Prime Video Channels.
Prime Video Channels require an Amazon Prime subscription, and you then subscribe to Paramount+ on top of that. You will then be able to watch Paramount+ on any device that supports the Prime Video app, not just those with the Paramount+ app.
Paramount+ normally costs £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK, with a free 7-day trial available to everyone.