Space opera

Back in the 1990s and 2000s we had space operas like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly and Babylon 5. Why don't we see space opera shows on TV anymore? Did the network execs decide the genre was dead? Did people lose interest in space travel? Why is this genre dead on TV? If the genre does not appeal to anyone anymore what can be done to revitalize the genre? What can be done to make the genre more relatable? Do you think this genre should be revived? Either way I think we need more epic space battles and political intrigue on TV. It was long thought that fantasy was a genre once thought reserved for geeks but Game of Thrones has garnered a huge audience. Perhaps a well written space opera with a huge budget could appeal to a diverse audience.

The problem is that space opera needs an even bigger budget than anything else due to the amount of CG scenes in addition to the actor stages. Usually they can film three or four good contemporary series for the cost of one good space series.

Syfy looks to be giving it a good try right now: The Expanse, Ascension, Dark Matter and Killjoys all should be airing within the next year. It's hard to say which will fit the 'Space Opera' bill exactly, though, before they air.

Ascension is airing next month in the US.

Does Doctor Who not count? I would consider space genre as much as anything else, and I think it's popularity shows that yes, people would watch.

I think it meets the technical definition of a Space Opera, but not the common usage of it. Also not every episode would meet the definition. But it probably is the closest thing to a popular space opera currently airing.

Wikipedia definition: Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that often emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, usually involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, weapons, and other technology.

I imagine the costs for CG have come down dramatically but maybe it's still very expensive. Babylon 5 was a great series.

I don't know the numbers, but in general, for what a TV series would need you are probably right. At the same time some really cheap effects methods that have been used in decades past probably are no longer acceptable. Such as the models used in the early Star Trek (and maybe others).

There is also the reality that rating are down across the board for all tv stations (in the US anyway, probably true worldwide though) and by extension ad revenue meaning the show needs great ratings in it's time slot and/or a cheaper budget comparative to the past to make any show make financial sense.

I think the reason why there aren't so many space operas is because of audience expectations. Budget comes second after that, just to pay for the special effects to meet those expectations. That does not yet include the price of enlisting a famous actor just to get people interested in the series.

If you were to compare the special effects of a sci-fi series back in 1990s to the one that is made in 2010s, you will be able to see how primitive those effects look in comparison. The suits, costumes, backdrops, vehicles, etc. all look 'fake' by today's standards. They would have to spend much more than what they can get just to produce a satisfying series.

I think The Expanse is something to look forward to. The space opera genre needs its own Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead.

I love The Expanse novels by James S.A. Corey. I love the character, the action scenes, and space battles as well as the politics. Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham have created a detailed world.

There's this

I've not watched it yet, since I've only found out about it a couple of days ago, but I'm already planning to watch that.

I actually liked Dark Matter quite a bit. It helped fill the space show void in my life. There are a couple minor things about it that bug me, but overall, I get excited when new episodes come out... Sadly, We'll have to wait about 7 months or so until season 2 begins - or more if they move it to the fall lineup.

Killjoys however, I didn't like as much... Probably due to the main characters not being likeable to me. It does however have some extremely nice world building (universe building?) done for it which is it's main saving grace. The show has a ton of potential. There will be a season 2 but I think I'll just wait until the season fully airs and then just batch watch it when I've already caught up on my other shows.