Star Trek has impacted generations of viewers and spawned numerous films and series over the years, with the franchise continuing to this day. So, it's shocking to learn that it wasn’t always a success, and William Shatner shared what really happened when Star Trek: The Original Series went from rags to ratings riches.
Star Trek: The Original Series premiered in 1966 on NBC and ran through 1969, capping at 79 episodes. It wasn’t exactly a ratings success, but it had a dedicated fanbase, and the network stayed with it for a bit. However, Star Trek met an unfortunate end after the third season. It wasn't until years later that it became a hit, as Shatner, who portrayed the iconic Captain James T. Kirk, recalled to People:
