Paramount+: Why These 12 Star Trek Episodes Aren’t Available for Streaming

Paramount+ is home to almost every Star Trek episode ever created, making it a treasure trove for fans of the iconic series. However, in 2025, twelve episodes are notably missing, leaving a frustrating gap in the collection that spans multiple classic series and decades.

According to Reuters, the reason behind this absence lies in the complicated legacy licensing agreements that were established long before the era of streaming services. Despite efforts to negotiate modern deals, these agreements have not been resolved, leaving certain content unavailable to subscribers.

Some of the missing episodes include “The Empath,” “Whom Gods Destroy,” “Plato’s Stepchildren,” and “Miri” from The Original Series. Originally banned by the BBC between 1969 and 1994 due to their controversial themes, these episodes have never obtained global streaming rights on Paramount+.

Fans have reported experiencing intermittent availability with Deep Space Nine and Voyager episodes, with some disappearing for weeks at a time. Paramount representatives have acknowledged these issues, recognizing the frustration it causes for viewers.

Legacy television contracts present the main obstacle in securing streaming rights for these missing episodes. Exclusive agreements made by international broadcasters decades ago did not account for future streaming platforms, making renegotiations a complex and costly process. Additionally, music clearances also contribute to the unavailability of certain episodes.

On a positive note, newer Star Trek series do not face the same availability issues, thanks to modern contracts that include comprehensive digital rights. As a result, recent content is fully accessible to viewers on the platform.

While it remains unlikely that Paramount+ will add the missing episodes due to licensing complications and prohibitive costs, fan campaigns continue to advocate for their return. Currently, no legitimate streaming service offers these banned episodes, making physical media the only authorized viewing method for these missing pieces of Star Trek history.