Those poll results are larely in line with my feelings on the franchise, with the exception of DS9. I can understand that most people are still viewing it through a fog of memory, but everyone needs to rewatch it. It's SO much damn better than you remember! It's actually been vying with TNG for the top spot in my own best series list for a while now. It used to be tied with Voyager.
TNG will probably never be toppled, though, it shaped my childhood far too actively for DS9 (a more recent appreciation) to best it.
Perhaps we should look to similar polls on IO9, Endgadget, Trekmovie, and the like, to make these results a little more "Scientific". Trekmovie's bound to be weighted a little more towards the TOS end of the scale, of course. There's some amazingly hard-headed TOS trolls lurking over there.
Don't get me wrong, TOS is a more recent appreciation too (much more so, actually, I love it now, used to dismiss it entirely) but the trolls I refer to actively wish TNG and the like were never made. They want everything to conform to their own exclusive interpretation of canon via TOS. Wackos.
{EDIT} I bolded the relevant information so it stands out from the rest of my witless prattling.
Interesting Star Trek Popularity Survey
Started by weyoun_9, Nov 24 2010 11:38 AM
30 replies to this topic
#21
Destructor!!!
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Posted 14 December 2010 - 09:47 PM
#22
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Posted 15 December 2010 - 10:55 AM
Some TrekMovie Polls. Oddly...after scrolling through all 60 pages of polls (I have nothing to do at work today) there are no "what's your favorite series" polls. There were several "Rank Voyager" polls where it did not come out as people's favorites...it would come in somewhere between 2nd and 5th. Still, I thought these few were interesting:
Did you see Star Trek on 9/8/1966
* Yes
Did you see Star Trek on 9/8/1966
* Yes
#23
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Posted 15 December 2010 - 01:07 PM
Excellent work! Thank you!
Comic book one is obviously the most relevant!
And my rabble of
TOS purists (eg, the intensely annoying poster "TOS Purist, AKA The Purolator") would seem to be nothing but a vocal minority. Or perhaps they don't take polls because they contain hypocryphal references to TNG and other shows? 
It does seem to reinforce the point that judging toy uptake by the fanbase based solely on TOS figure sales is short sighted. They should do a limited run of TNG keyrings or some kind of small, inexpensive prop, like a PADD, or a range of Comm Badges, to test the waters for TNG and Voyager a little more.
And if they needed any more proof of TNG's existing appeal, they need only look to the success of the excellent D and the AGT D. Both sold out almost completely in a matter of months!
Comm badges would make a nice intro into the TNG tech market. Then ROLL ON THE TRICORDERS!
Comic book one is obviously the most relevant!
And my rabble of
TOS purists (eg, the intensely annoying poster "TOS Purist, AKA The Purolator") would seem to be nothing but a vocal minority. Or perhaps they don't take polls because they contain hypocryphal references to TNG and other shows? It does seem to reinforce the point that judging toy uptake by the fanbase based solely on TOS figure sales is short sighted. They should do a limited run of TNG keyrings or some kind of small, inexpensive prop, like a PADD, or a range of Comm Badges, to test the waters for TNG and Voyager a little more.
And if they needed any more proof of TNG's existing appeal, they need only look to the success of the excellent D and the AGT D. Both sold out almost completely in a matter of months!
Comm badges would make a nice intro into the TNG tech market. Then ROLL ON THE TRICORDERS!
#24
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Posted 15 December 2010 - 04:49 PM
I think you got the wrong thing highlighted on
How many Playmates Trek toys/figures do you own?
Isn't 37% the winner? Not 28%?
How many Playmates Trek toys/figures do you own?
Isn't 37% the winner? Not 28%?
#25
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Posted 15 December 2010 - 09:01 PM
QUOTE (Gothneo @ Dec 15 2010, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think you got the wrong thing highlighted on
How many Playmates Trek toys/figures do you own?
Isn't 37% the winner? Not 28%?
How many Playmates Trek toys/figures do you own?
Isn't 37% the winner? Not 28%?
Well, yes, but this is a thread about assessing the toy buying market. People with 0 toys don't buy toys, and so are irrelevant.
#26
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Posted 16 December 2010 - 06:08 AM
QUOTE (Destructor!!! @ Dec 15 2010, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, yes, but this is a thread about assessing the toy buying market. People with 0 toys don't buy toys, and so are irrelevant.
If that poll was conclusive - we'd probably understand a little better as to why Star Trek toys don't sell too great. if the majority of people on trekmovie.com are an indication of the general consensus across Star Trek fandom, then toys, ie. kids toys like Habsro's Star Wars or Transformers aren't the way to go when merchandising for Star Trek? Weather that applies to JJ Abrams Star Trek as well - who knows since the majority of trekmovie.com seemed to find the Playmates line AWESOME :S
Interesting stuff, certainly it seems from that trekmovie.com poll that Star Trek appeals to an older market between the ages of 18 - 24 which isn't such a big surprise. Most people still watching Star Trek grew up with the more contemporary shows and would probably, if done right, would be more than willing to invest time and spend money on items relating to the TNG, DS9 and Voyager era's weather it be merchandise (all be it probably not kids toys freely available from Toys R Us), a movie or a new TV series?
I think there's a general pattern to all of these polls - it certainly seems that the contemporary shows (TNG - ENT) are still much loved by the majority of the fan-base. The question remains though, how big is the fan-base these days? No doubt remains with me that the studio back in 2002 wanted to make more money off of Star Trek so I have to say I do feel that Star Trek was probably killed by the studio rather than killed from a lack of support from the fan-base - there is probably some truth in that Star Trek had probably run its course in terms of creativity but certainly it seems that all it really needed was a new creative team behind it rather than a complete "reboot". So Paramount/CBS probably had this planned for a while before Enterprise was canned for it to be reborn as this summer blockbusting franchise focusing on the franchises most well-known characters, Kirk and Spock, with the aim in appealing to a broader audience sucked into these huge epics over the summer months.
As for the Star Trek toy industry? Going by the polls it seems most people aren't interested in them? Which means that for the new Star Trek sequel license holder we're only ever likely to see a line focused on new Star Trek rather than TOS - ENT and it's likely to only last for a year (if that).
As for DST? I think higher end, higher priced stuff would sell but again it's up to companies (DST, eFx, perhaps Sideshow or Hot Toys) to realise that items based on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and probably to a lesser extent Star Trek: Enterprise, if it's done well in terms of how it's sold to the retailers, what kind of item it would be (a ship? an action figure? a phaser?, prop/ship replica) and as long as the quality, advertising, marketing, etc are all in place and done correctly... It could be quite profitable for each of those companies?
I do think that there needs to be a little more faith in how successful Star Trek actually has been, can be and still is and across the board too from studio right down to fan and retailer. There definitely does need to be a bigger push of the brand globally too. I mean I got some great Star Trek socks last year, where are they this year? where's the calendars being sold along side the Doctor Who calendars on UK high streets or the quirky novelty gifts? I think Star Trek as a brand is underestimated hugely by retailers and manufacturers which is a shame.
#27
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Posted 16 December 2010 - 08:49 AM
Do keep in mind that I only showed a few of the 60 pages of surveys. Because TrekMovie is skewed to focus on the new film(s), they tended to focus a lot on Classic Trek versus New Trek as well as classic and TNG films as opposed to the tv series. It was interesting, for example, that Kirk beat Picard as "best captain" but more people would prefer Picard as their boss.
The most interesting stat, reiterated in several polls, was that the majority of Trek fans using that website, and presumably other (without true scientific data), were not alive during the first run of TOS. Most of them were born around or after TNG. That's the part where I think DST misses the boat. Newer fans go back and look up TOS to learn what came before, and usually develop an appreciation that can lead to product purchase...but DST isn't factoring in that these fans came into Trek through TNG, DS9 and Voyager. That could be part of why 15+ Kirk's stop selling as well as the first few.
I think, or wonder, that marketing may play a part in the retailers decisions as well, which in turns dictates DST's decisions. CBS/Paramount has streamlined the look of all Trek merchandise and it carries the TOS logo, no doubt to keep the new film more present in people's mind. But they can still use that umbrella to market the entire universe and I think they'd be pretty successful. I'd really like to know more about the marketing plan for DST and frankly for CBS as well. I find that all very intriguing.
The most interesting stat, reiterated in several polls, was that the majority of Trek fans using that website, and presumably other (without true scientific data), were not alive during the first run of TOS. Most of them were born around or after TNG. That's the part where I think DST misses the boat. Newer fans go back and look up TOS to learn what came before, and usually develop an appreciation that can lead to product purchase...but DST isn't factoring in that these fans came into Trek through TNG, DS9 and Voyager. That could be part of why 15+ Kirk's stop selling as well as the first few.
I think, or wonder, that marketing may play a part in the retailers decisions as well, which in turns dictates DST's decisions. CBS/Paramount has streamlined the look of all Trek merchandise and it carries the TOS logo, no doubt to keep the new film more present in people's mind. But they can still use that umbrella to market the entire universe and I think they'd be pretty successful. I'd really like to know more about the marketing plan for DST and frankly for CBS as well. I find that all very intriguing.
#28
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Posted 16 December 2010 - 02:53 PM
With this blanket all encompassing unified brand logoing , when I see it I can't help but think Classic Trek, because of the font, and when I think of TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise, I think of them with their respective fonts and looks. It probably is a wise move to use the unified look in order to save time and money on putting more effort into the rest of the perspective lines.
I cut my teeth on TNG, as a kid, then later got into DS9, Voyager, Enterprise and finally TOS. Having seen them all multiple times now, I'd rank them like this...
1. TNG
2. DS9
3. TOS
4. Voyager
5. Enterprise
Now , I only say this, because really I love all Star Trek simply becuase it is Star Trek, but in my mind this is how I'd rank them.
I cut my teeth on TNG, as a kid, then later got into DS9, Voyager, Enterprise and finally TOS. Having seen them all multiple times now, I'd rank them like this...
1. TNG
2. DS9
3. TOS
4. Voyager
5. Enterprise
Now , I only say this, because really I love all Star Trek simply becuase it is Star Trek, but in my mind this is how I'd rank them.
#29
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Posted 17 December 2010 - 04:55 AM
^ When I see this uniformed packaging I cringe and I think how unimaginative, uninteresting and corporate, there's nothing unique to it that suggests Star Trek apart from the original series logo/font being used, a lame image of an Enterprise that has been off the air for over 40 years and two pathetic head shots of the characters the product depicts. I agree that every bit of merchandise to do with Star Trek should be put in a uniformed packaging design because it just looks a lot nicer as well as everything being automatically recognisable as Star Trek. HOWEVER - it's so DULL!!!!!!!!! Where's the creativity? It's almost as if CBS don't understand what Star Trek really is all about...
The Star Trek 09 packaging was awful too! Dull, boring, no screen shots of action or characters, no interesting info on the characters or ships or weapons, just poorly designed. Bad packaging designs go a long way in making a toy or a product not sell - customers need to be drawn in by brilliantly designed packagings.
Playmates of the 90's was a good example as is the original Art Asylum's designs and although both of these aren't uniformed, they do head into the right direction in terms of aesthetic quality, Tron Legacy is a good example, as is Avatar, Transformers, Star Wars, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3 Andy's Toy Collection from Think Way, the entire NECA range, Futurama, Ghostbusters, DC Directs Batman Arkham Asylum action figures, the list goes on, in fact there are fewer brands out there than not that have poor packaging and none of them stand out from the crowd - including Star Trek. Trek's packaging needs to really embrace the retro feel to Star Trek, the 60's, 70's and 80's era's, I love the Futurama packaging, I think there really nicely done so perhaps something in that vein, make Star Trek something people want to buy not because they necessarily love Star Trek but because they love all things geek. Throw some colour at these packs, bright, retro, space aged very Star Trekky in style with some action shots of our heroes and ships and bold with some cool, geeky information on the back. Make these products appeal to the demographic that Star Trek has repeatedly shown us it appeals to within polls, interviews etc... Make it something that can be easily displayed in packaging or out of packaging. Trek to me is unlike Wars in a sense, whoever has Trek to sell, they have to try twice as hard to sell it. At the moment, it seems the popularity is out there, it's just getting these companies and retailers to see it.
Unless they get a group of talented designers, pioneers in their field to come up with some radically cool Star Trek packaging let alone product, that makes the Trek merchandise stand out from the likes of Wars, Avatar, Transformers or even Shrek, especially in specialist toy shops then Star Trek doesn't really have a hopes chance at enticing a larger consumer base regardless of it being Specialist or mass produced
The Star Trek 09 packaging was awful too! Dull, boring, no screen shots of action or characters, no interesting info on the characters or ships or weapons, just poorly designed. Bad packaging designs go a long way in making a toy or a product not sell - customers need to be drawn in by brilliantly designed packagings.
Playmates of the 90's was a good example as is the original Art Asylum's designs and although both of these aren't uniformed, they do head into the right direction in terms of aesthetic quality, Tron Legacy is a good example, as is Avatar, Transformers, Star Wars, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3 Andy's Toy Collection from Think Way, the entire NECA range, Futurama, Ghostbusters, DC Directs Batman Arkham Asylum action figures, the list goes on, in fact there are fewer brands out there than not that have poor packaging and none of them stand out from the crowd - including Star Trek. Trek's packaging needs to really embrace the retro feel to Star Trek, the 60's, 70's and 80's era's, I love the Futurama packaging, I think there really nicely done so perhaps something in that vein, make Star Trek something people want to buy not because they necessarily love Star Trek but because they love all things geek. Throw some colour at these packs, bright, retro, space aged very Star Trekky in style with some action shots of our heroes and ships and bold with some cool, geeky information on the back. Make these products appeal to the demographic that Star Trek has repeatedly shown us it appeals to within polls, interviews etc... Make it something that can be easily displayed in packaging or out of packaging. Trek to me is unlike Wars in a sense, whoever has Trek to sell, they have to try twice as hard to sell it. At the moment, it seems the popularity is out there, it's just getting these companies and retailers to see it.
Unless they get a group of talented designers, pioneers in their field to come up with some radically cool Star Trek packaging let alone product, that makes the Trek merchandise stand out from the likes of Wars, Avatar, Transformers or even Shrek, especially in specialist toy shops then Star Trek doesn't really have a hopes chance at enticing a larger consumer base regardless of it being Specialist or mass produced
#30
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Posted 17 December 2010 - 06:05 AM
QUOTE (Destructor!!! @ Dec 15 2010, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, yes, but this is a thread about assessing the toy buying market. People with 0 toys don't buy toys, and so are irrelevant.
No... that means that the bulk of people don't like / buy Playmates Toys. Wasn't that the topic of the poll? did I misunderstand?
See if you asked me How many Playmates toys I own the answer is 0. But I buy lots of toys. I just don't own any playmates toys.
#31
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Posted 19 December 2010 - 07:00 AM
QUOTE (Gothneo @ Dec 17 2010, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No... that means that the bulk of people don't like / buy Playmates Toys. Wasn't that the topic of the poll? did I misunderstand?
See if you asked me How many Playmates toys I own the answer is 0. But I buy lots of toys. I just don't own any playmates toys.
See if you asked me How many Playmates toys I own the answer is 0. But I buy lots of toys. I just don't own any playmates toys.
Very good point. I stand corrected.
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