60-Year-Old Sci-Fi Franchise 'Star Trek' to Debut as a Webtoon in North America [IT Item of the Day]

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[The Financial News] WEBTOON will introduce an original webtoon based on the intellectual property (IP) of the famous U.S. sci-fi franchise Star Trek, which marks its 60th anniversary this year, to the global market. Analysts say WEBTOON, widely used by Gen Z audiences in North America, is emerging as a key bridgehead for global entertainment giants looking for a way to overcome aging fandoms.
According to the webtoon industry on the 19th, WEBTOON has joined the Star Trek 60th Anniversary Global Campaign, "Space for Everybody," as a partner and will release two original webtoon series on its English-language platform, WEBTOON. Major global brands, including Paramount+, LEGO and Nickelodeon, are also taking part in the campaign.
Since the first TV series aired in 1966, Star Trek has expanded into films, novels, games and animation. This is the first time the franchise will be presented in a webtoon format, which uses a vertical-scroll style optimized for smartphones.
Amy Jarashow, head of Paramount Global Publishing, said, "Even after 60 years, Star Trek still has new frontiers to explore in the way it tells stories." She added, "Through a new platform like webtoons, we will offer readers a more immersive experience. It is an exciting evolution for the franchise and a powerful way to connect with both longtime fans and new readers."
The main reason global franchise IP holders are increasingly turning to WEBTOON is to reach new audiences. Old IPs that have maintained their popularity for decades are now facing challenges such as aging fandoms and sluggish growth in new users. Webtoons are seen as the best alternative for expanding contact with younger audiences who are familiar with mobile devices and enjoy short-form, snackable content.
In fact, as of December last year, about 75% of users of WEBTOON's North American English service were Gen Z.
Against this backdrop, global IP owners are seeking synergies with WEBTOON. In March, the 40-episode original long-form webtoon Overwatch: Undivided, created in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment to mark the 10th anniversary of Overwatch, drew more than 10,000 readers on its launch day alone. A webtoon based on Microsoft Xbox's game Sea of Thieves also reached No. 1 in the English service's popularity rankings in its first week, helped by a promotion tied to Game Pass.
The trend is also expanding beyond single-IP collaborations into broad, platform-based partnerships. WEBTOON is set to take charge of developing and operating a new digital comics platform for The Walt Disney Company later this year, which will offer more than 35,000 Disney-owned titles.
wongood@fnnews.com Juwon-gyu Reporter