Star Trek Debuts Its First Ever Free Original Series on YouTube

Today marks Star Trek Day, celebrating 59 years since the original series first aired on September 8, 1966. To honor the occasion, the franchise is taking a new direction by launching its first original animated series on YouTube.

Star Trek: Scouts, aimed at preschool audiences, has premiered its first two episodes online.

The series follows three eight-year-old friends—JR, Roo, and Sprocket—as they train to become future Starfleet explorers. From their base on Earth, the trio takes on fun and imaginative space missions, defending the planet with quirky tools like giant rubber ducks and meatball-destroying forks.

Sprocket, a young Vulcan, has a robotic arm inspired by Inspector Gadget. Each of the friends has a pet, including a targ from Kronos, the Klingon homeworld, described as “adorable but malodorous.” Episodes run three to four minutes each, with the remainder of the 20-episode first season set to release throughout 2026.

According to CBS Studios and Nickelodeon Digital Studio, who co-developed the show, Star Trek: Scouts is meant to inspire young viewers to “discover, grow, and boldly go!” The first two episodes are available now on Nickelodeon’s Blaze and the Monster Machines YouTube channel.

While the franchise won’t officially reach its 60th anniversary until 2026, Star Trek Day 2025 is already giving fans plenty to celebrate. Alongside the YouTube series, other Star Trek projects and announcements are planned leading up to next year’s big milestone.

Star Trek: Scouts represents a new step for the franchise, bringing Starfleet adventures to younger audiences in an accessible, online format.

It’s exciting to see Star Trek continue to expand into new platforms while staying true to its spirit of exploration. What do you think of Star Trek’s move into YouTube and preschool animation? Share your thoughts in the comments.