Have You Wondered What Happened To Communicator?

[Stephen of Borg 2]

Members of the official STAR TREK fan club and subscribers to its Communicator magazine knew something was up when they didn't receive the latest issue several weeks ago. With nothing but silence, it became clear there was trouble with the fan club and its parent Decipher, a customizeable card game company that bought the magazine operation several years ago.

 

Inside Business reports that waves of layoffs at Decipher and court judgments against it have plagued the company. Owner Warren Holland sold his former 10,000 square foot offices and has yet to fill vendors' orders or fan prizes from recent card game tournaments.

 

Former editor Larry Nemecek told fans at last weekend's Las Vegas Creation convention that Decipher has stopped publishing but Paramount and Viacom Consumer Products are quickly formulating a rescue for the fan club and Communicator. Writing in, Nemececk says "Paramount will not let the Fan Club and magazine die--forces are zooming along as we speak to get the magazine and club operation going again--good forces, and to have the Fan Cllub and Communicator back better than ever, especially with the 40th anniversary of STAR TREK next year."

 

He says despite recent shake ups at Viacom and Paramount, the company is committed to restarting the publication and is taking steps to do so.

 

"I also expect that Paramount (who as you may know from the news is itself amid the big Viacom split happening now, affecting STAR TREK and many arms like video, online, licensing, etc.) will be insisting that the next incarnation will be in experienced hands, with a return to a more accessible payment and customer service attitude. I would bet we'll also see new and returning member bonuses, including online components."

 

I'm glad to hear that the Communicator Magazine will be back. I just thought the bookstore I bought them from cancelled their shipment, it's good to know that they haven't

Edited August 16, 2005 by Gamera

[Kor37 9]

I notice no mention made of those of us who subscribe to the Communicator. I wonder who to contact for a refund?

[A l t e r E g o 9]

 

 

I suppose that's good news but with no new Trek episodes airing I won't be subcribing; imo subscribing to the rag of a dead franchise is silly.

 

Sure a movie may come along someday but that's not reason enough for me to write a check.

 

If Trek PTB want to get their hands back in my wallet they need to stop sitting on them and get them busy creating a new hit series to air.

[HRH The KING 0]

It's probably a good idea to scrap the various Star Trek magazines for the next few years with nothing new to discuss as the franchise enters it's dormant period which hopefully will last at least five years.

[Kor37 9]

It's probably a good idea to scrap the various Star Trek magazines for the next few years with nothing new to discuss

 

I disagree. The Communicator in its earlier form of The Star Trek Fan Club newsletter ran all through that huge dormant period between TOS and TNG. Even though it only had TOS to draw upon, it somehow still came up with interesting things to read about.

[trekz 7]

It's probably a good idea to scrap the various Star Trek magazines for the next few years with nothing new to discuss as the franchise enters it's dormant period which hopefully will last at least five years.

347652[/snapback]

I disagree with the idea that the dormant period must last at least 5 years. Star Trek fans that say this should be careful what they wish for. Sorry, but I lived through the dormant period between TOS and TAS, and TAS and TNG. Although many fans have their VHS or DVD collections to watch now (and a lot more series too) I think Star Trek is an entertaining and imaginative world that needs to continue, and continue soon. Perhaps what may happen is that fans will either push for better conceived and carried out shows, OR may take matters into their own hands and go into fanfic published on the net or episodes on the net as a couple have already. IMO Trek is alive and well in the hearts of true fans and will find ways to continue on.

 

It's probably a good idea to scrap the various Star Trek magazines for the next few years with nothing new to discuss

 

I disagree. The Communicator in its earlier form of The Star Trek Fan Club newsletter ran all through that huge dormant period between TOS and TNG. Even though it only had TOS to draw upon, it somehow still came up with interesting things to read about.

347699[/snapback]

I strongly agree with Kor. There is plenty to discuss in Trek with all the series out there.