For decades fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation have dreamed of beaming aboard the USS Enterprise-D, taking a seat next to Cmdr. Data at the helm, standing beside Lt. Worf at the tactical station, and sitting in the captain’s chair. This dream can become a reality, but we need your help to Make It So.

Trek Radio, along with STOked Radio and Priority One, are teaming up with Huston Huddleston’s New Starship to bring the iconic Enterprise-D bridge restoration project to Creation Entertainment’s Star Trek Las Vegas convention this August — but we can’t do it alone. We need the support and contributions of the Star Trek fans. To that end we have launched the “Experience the Enterprise” Indiegogo campaign to help bring the Enterprise-D to the fabulous Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Navigate your browser to www.indiegogo.com/projects/experience-the-enterprise and contribute to this fantastic effort to help make our dreams of the future into reality in the present. Your generous contributions will not only enable Trek Radio to broadcast live from the bridge of the Enterprise-D at STLV but will also enable fans in attendance to experience the Enterprise-D first hand with a chance to sit in the captain’s chair, take photos on the bridge in costume, and meet celebrities.

In addition to helping us bring the currently restored bridge set pieces to the convention, contributors to the Experience the Enterprise campaign have access to a number of great incentives including the chance to play a Star Trek Online special taskforce mission with an all-star team of STO podcasters, special in-game items, access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content on the website, a chance to be a guest DJ on Trek Radio, one of the limited edition laser-etched bridge dedication plaques from NewStarship.com a chance to record an interview with a celebrity, and more!

Contributions to the campaign will help cover the cost of shipping the large pieces of the bridge set to the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, cover the costs of reserving the floor space in the convention’s vendor room, as well as internet and electricity needed to power the bridge and broadcast from on-location.

Help us help you to experience the Enterprise-D and support our epic endeavor to bring New Starship to Las Vegas.

Kirsten Beyer has penned several Star Trek: Voyager novels including The Eternal Tide, Children of the Storm, Unworthy, Full Circle and more. Kirsten’s novels have taken the Voyager storyline forward into the 2384 time period. Previously Kirsten has also written for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alias franchises. Kristen, Timewarp and Nydra will discuss her previous novels as well as upcoming novels for the Voyager series.

An archived edition of the interview will be posted in the On-Demand section of the website a short time after the interview airs live. Questions for Kirsten Beyer can be submitted to questions@trekradio.net.

Kirsten Beyer will also be a guest at the upcoming Shore Leave 35 convention this August in Baltimore, Maryland.

In support of these exciting new collections, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution have teamed up with Hot Topic to celebrate “The Big Bang Theory” airing 5 Nights a Week in off-network syndication. (Check www.BigBangWeeknights.com for local listings.) The partnership offers a second annual sweepstakes inviting fans to enter the Ultimate Fan Giveaway for an opportunity to attend the biggest pop culture convention in the world: the legendary Comic-Con in San Diego. Fans will also have the chance to win many great prizes, including the special edition DC Comics t-shirt and $500 Hot Topic gift cards. This year’s partnership is offering an even bigger bang with a larger collection of exclusive “Big Bang” merchandise at Hot Topic locations nationwide.

From Monday, May 20, through Friday, May 31, avid fans and pop culture junkies can enter the contest either by watching “The Big Bang Theory” every weeknight in syndication (in select markets) and identifying Sheldon’s special Hot Topic t-shirt online at www.BigBangContest.com or by visiting any Hot Topic store nationwide now through Sunday, June 2, signing up to be a HT+1 rewards member and purchasing any “The Big Bang Theory” t-shirt, including the exclusive “Big Bang” DC Comics Comic-Con edition t-shirt only at Hot Topic. One lucky fan will receive an all-expenses paid, fun-filled getaway for two to Comic-Con in San Diego, CA – including two tickets to Comic-Con, round-trip airfare, three days/two nights hotel accommodations, ground transportation and special access to various events at the Warner Bros. booth.

“We’re excited to pay-it-forward to ‘The Big Bang Theory’’s legions of fans in this perfect alliance that brings together this pop-cult favorite with the iconic brands of “Star Trek” and DC Comics,” said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President, Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “We had such a great fan reaction and experience with this promotion last year that we’re excited to team up with Hot Topic again to bring fans a bigger bang offering and more chances to win another out-of-this-world opportunity.”

“We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Warner Bros. on such an exciting merchandise program,” said Cindy Levitt, VP and General Merchandise Manager at Hot Topic. “We feel like we’ve created the perfect geek storm by combining “The Big Bang Theory,” “Star Trek,” DC Comics, Comic-Con and Hot Topic in this program and promotion, and we couldn’t be happier that we can make it happen for our customers.”

As part of the promotion, Hot Topic stores will also feature an exciting array of merchandise from “The Big Bang Theory” spanning apparel, accessories, gift and novelties, and toys, including Funko bobbleheads of fan-favorites Leonard, Sheldon and Howard in Starfleet uniforms.

In addition to the trip to Comic-Con, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and Hot Topic are offering viewers in 47 markets the opportunity to also win local prize packages that include $500 gift cards from Hot Topic. Markets include:

WPCH – ATLANTA, GA
KTBC – AUSTIN, TX
KBAK – BAKERSFIELD, CA
WUTB – BALTIMORE, MD
WTTO – BIRMINGHAM, AL
WCCB – CHARLOTTE, NC
WFLD – CHICAGO, IL
WSTR – CINCINNATI, OH
WACH – COLUMBIA, SC
KDFW – DALLAS, TX
KDVR – DENVER, CO
WKBD – DETROIT, MI
KFOX – EL PASO, TX
KMPH – FRESNO, CA
WWMT – GRAND RAPIDS, MI
WXLV – GREENSBORO, NC
WHNS – GREENVILLE, SC
WTIC – HARTFORD, CT
KHON – HONOLULU, HI
WTTV – INDIANAPOLIS, IN
WJXT – JACKSONVILLE, FL
WBXX – KNOXVILLE, TN
KVMY – LAS VEGAS, NV
KTTV – LOS ANGELES, CA
WBFS – MIAMI, FL
WDJT – MILWAUKEE, WI
WFTC – MINNEAPOLIS, MN
WNAB – NASHVILLE, TN
WTVZ – NORFOLK, VA
KOKH – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
WOFL – ORLANDO, FL
WPHL – PHILADELPHIA, PA
KUTP – PHOENIX, AZ
WPGH – PITTSBURGH, PA
WPFO – PORTLAND, ME
WSJP – PUERTO RICO
WLFL – RALEIGH, NC
WFXR – ROANOKE, VA
KABB – SAN ANTONIO, TX
KICU – SAN FRANCISCO, CA
KCPQ – SEATTLE, WA
WCWW – SOUTH BEND, IN
KPLR – ST. LOUIS, MO
WMOR – TAMPA, FL
KQCW – TULSA, OK
WTTG – WASHINGTON, DC

(Source: Warner Bros. Press Release)

EPIX GETS CLOSE UP WITH THE CAPTAINS

In the summer of 2011 William Shatner and EPIX released an insightful and moving documentary called The Captains in which William Shatner traveled the world to connect with the actors who commanded principal roles as Starfleet captains in Star Trek. On May 16, 2013 EPIX showcases the new expansion of the documentary with five featured episodes of The Captains Close-Up. Available to stream anytime, each episode of The Captain’s Close Up focuses on one of the actors who embodied a Starfleet captain in the television series. The stand-alone episodes for William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, and Scott Bakula feature additional footage and info including vignettes with the cast and crew who worked closely with the captains.

In celebration of The Captains Close Up, EPIX is partnering with Trek Radio to give away 10 limited edition posters featuring cover art from the original 2011 documentary The Captains. These beautiful posters include holographic lettering and iconic images of all five series captains including Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk.

Ten lucky fans can win one of these special posters by going to Trek Radio’s official Facebook page and entering “The Captains Poster Giveaway” contest between May 16 at 5am PDT and May 30 at 11:59pm PDT. Entry is simple and easy: “Like” Trek Radio on Facebook to access the entry form, then enter a name and a valid email address to be eligible. Winners will be selected randomly on May 31 at 11:00am PDT. Winners will be asked to provide a valid street address to receive the poster by mail. Shipping and handling costs will be covered by EPIX.

To watch the original documentary The Captains and the new The Captains Close Up episodes anytime, sign up for a free trial membership at www.EpixHD.com. Follow @EpixHD on Twitter.

KATIE & KELLIE COCKRELL DISCUSS THE ‘DARKNESS’

Twin sisters Katie & Kellie Cockrell boldly trekked into darkness with their roles in the second installment of J.J. Abram’s and Bad Robot’s reboot of the iconic sci-fi franchise. On May 11, Kellie and Katie were beamed into the Trek Radio studios for a live interview with DJs Adam and Randall. A good time was had by all as they discussed their careers and experiences on-set filming with J.J. Abrams and the cast. The interview is now posted in Trek Radio’s On-Demand section for streaming anytime. Follow Katie and Kellie on Twitter.

LIVE REPORTS FROM THE ‘DARKNESS’

Trek Radio’s Miss Risa and TXTrekkieGurl will descend Into Darkness with Deyvid on May 16 as they attend local screenings of the new film and call in live to issue on-air road reports from theaters in Southern California and Texas.

It is a good day to be a Star Trek fan as the franchise descends into darkness.

Natural performers since the age of 5 years old, Katie and Kellie have danced in Ballet West’s production of the Nutcracker, appeared in over 30 television commercials, and began their acting career in 2006 with the Disney Channel Original Movie Return to Halloweentown. The sisters continued their study of acting with the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and the Yale School of Drama. This summer they appear on-screen with Chris Pine’s Captain Kirk in Star Trek Into Darkness.

On May 11, Trek Radio Presents Katie and Kellie as they join DJs Adam (The Jew and the Gentile) and Randall (Quantum Universe) for a special live interview to discuss their experience filming Star Trek Into Darkness as well as their past and future projects.

Be sure to tune in for their special live interview at 9am PT / 12n ET / 5pm GMT and join our interactive chat room to share your comments and questions. An archive of the interview will be posted in our On-Demand section shortly after the interview for streaming anytime.

UPDATE:

The interview with Kellie and Katie Cockrell has been archived in the On-Demand section and is available for streaming anytime.

Known to Star Trek fans as “Travis Mayweather” on Enterprise, Anthony Montgomery has created Miles Away, a new comic book series featuring a seemingly average teenager swept up in an intergalactic adventure:

16-year-old Maxwell Miles is like most teenagers — full of questions and insecurities. For ten years, one question has haunted him: “Why did I lose so much, so early in my life?” With both parents disappearing under mysterious circumstances and a guardian who doles out vague and limited information, Max’s thirst for knowledge is rarely quenched. Unlike most teenagers, Max develops a superhuman ability, he is enlisted by a shadowy organization to battle evil around the globe, he allies with two aliens on the run, he saves their planet from destruction, he prevents an alien invasion and he has to maintain a solid grade point average despite having the laziest study partner on Earth. Max learns the hard way that some questions should never be asked because the truth hurts much more than curiosity.

Montgomery will be appearing in-person at Emerald Knights comic shop in Burbank, California on May 4 from 11am to 5pm Pacific to meet fans and sign copies of his graphic novel. A portion of the proceeds from this appearance will benefit Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. During this event, Anthony will join Trek Radio live on-air for a special interview at 3pm PT to discuss Miles Away and his journey of creating and launching a new sci-fi comic book series.

While May 4th is a special day for many sci-fi fans, this year it’s also Free Comic Book Day, when participating comic book shops around the world give away comic books for free to celebrate the medium of illustrated storytelling. Stop by your local comic book shop and pick up special FCBD issues, and while you’re there support your comic book shop and the comics industry with a few purchases.

Be sure to purchase your copy of Miles Away, and follow Anthony Montgomery on Twitter and Facebook!

UPDATE:

The archive of our interview with Anthony Montgomery has been posted in our On-Demand section for streaming anytime. Listen now!

Celebrating the Blu-Ray/DVD release of Season Three “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, NCM Fathom Events partners with CBS Home Entertainment to bring the iconic two-part cliff-hanger “The Best of Both Worlds” as one seamless, uninterrupted story completely restored with new CGI effects to over 550 select theaters around the US on April 25. For a complete list of theater locations, visit the NCM Fathom Events website.

Ten lucky fans will be attending the event thanks to Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek, the universe’s renowned Star Trek authority. After the successful giveaway last year for ST:TNG Season 2, Nemecek hosted a contest on his TREKLAND website to win tickets for fans in Boston, Cleveland, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. Warp over to TREKLAND for more information about the winners and view a trailer for the “Best of Both Worlds” Blu-Ray.

Trekkies unable to attend the screening in person can still experience the “Best of Both Worlds” by tuning into TREK RADIO for live on-air coverage from screenings coast to coast. Partnering with NCM Fathom Events, Trek Radio is sending representatives to a dozen cities across the country at the following locations:

Fresno Stadium 21 plus IMAX – Fresno, CA
DJ Deyvid (Warrior’s Den)

Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 – Los Angeles, CA
DJs Adam and Andrew (The Jew and the Gentile Show)

Cinemark 14 – Long Beach, CA
DJ Risa (Terra Nova and Flashback Lunch)

San Jose Oakridge 20 with XD – San Jose, CA
Adrianne (Priority One) & Jesse (Cryptic Studios)

Spokane, WA – Roland

Cinemark Allen 16 – Allen, TX
TX Trekkie Gurl (Geeky Adventures)

El Paso, TX – Larry Nemecek (Trekland)

San Antonio, TX – Cushmanzadah

AMC Empire 25 – New York, NY
Elijah (Priority One) & Leah (Trek It Out)

Snowden Square 14 – Columbia, MD
Gettysburg (The G & T Show)

Easton Town Center 30 – Columbus, OH
DJ Randall (Quantum Universe)

Cinemark at Valley View with XD – Valley View, OH
Maverick (STOked Radio and Jupiter Station)

Tampa, FL – Michael Hinman (Airlock Alpha)

“The Best of Both Worlds” comprising the third season finale and the fourth season premiere first aired during summer 1990. The first episode won Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Art Direction” and “Outstanding Sound Editing.” In 2008, Empire magazine ranked “Star Trek: The Next Generation” on their list of “The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time” and cited “The Best of Both Worlds, Part II” as the show’s best episode.

This two-episode arc has been digitally remastered as a full-length feature, presented in high-definition. Audiences will also enjoy the documentary, “Regeneration: Engaging the Borg,” a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this story. The remastered third season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Best of Both Worlds” compilation Blu-ray/DVD is scheduled for release April 30.

SUPPLEMENTAL UPDATE:

Across the U.S., Trek Radio DJs, podcasters and friends had a great time at the Star Trek: TNG “Best of Both Worlds” theatrical screening thanks to NCM Fathom Events. We took photos and interviewed several movie-going Star Trek fans attending the event in various cities. The interviews have been assembled into a montage and are now available for streaming anytime in our On-Demand section.

Fathom Events’ Best of Both Worlds

In addition to live on-location interviews, several of the attendees tweeted from the event to @TrekRadio and @FathomEvents using the hashtags #TrekRadio #FathomEvents and #BOBW:

Cryptic STO team @trekonlinegame at #BOBW TNG Event! #fathomevents @trekradiovia.me/-bmei9oo

— Adrianne Grady (@xatrian) April 26, 2013

From the terrace of AMC Empire25 in NYC #BOBW @stopriorityone @trekradio twitter.com/STO_ElijahMrE/…

— Elio L. (@STO_ElijahMrE) April 26, 2013

So many great bloopers from the post-episode reel and laughs from the audience! @trekradio #bobw

— Adrianne Grady (@xatrian) April 26, 2013

“Just an old man’s fantasy” gets an “eww” response from one viewer followed by theater of laughs #bobw @fathomevents @trekradio

— Tom Cruz (@STOkedRadio) April 25, 2013

Great viweing so far.. great crowd reactions. #bobw @fathomevents @trekradio #fathomcares

— Tom Cruz (@STOkedRadio) April 26, 2013

@radio_kain Yeah… But now just waiting for Worf to fire. #heISaborg #Bobw #TNG #FathomEvents

— Larry Nemecek (@larrynemecek) April 25, 2013

@larrynemecek my two favorite moments. #heISaborg #Fire #FathomEvents #BoBW

— Kain (@Radio_Kain) April 25, 2013

@radio_kain Actually, from PT 2 I love the overlooked #hesexhausted #poorcluelessbev

— Larry Nemecek (@larrynemecek) April 26, 2013

Clapping at the destruction of the borg cube #bobw @fathomevents @trekradio

— Tom Cruz (@STOkedRadio) April 26, 2013

While they showing previews of the seasons, they show the clip of Data laughing, a lot audience were laughing along @trekradio #bobw

— TXTrekkie_Gurl (@TXTrekkie_Gurl) April 26, 2013

During previews Q gets HUGE cheers/applause @trekradio #BOBW

— Nick Minecci (@Gettysburg7) April 25, 2013

@trekradio applause following episode. Big laughs during blooper reel now. #BOBW

— Nick Minecci (@Gettysburg7) April 26, 2013

“@mjlterrell: I absolutely adored hearing the @startrek TNG theme song in theater big sound. Best music ever. #bobw” definitely!

— Kain (@Radio_Kain) April 26, 2013

All of us at Trek Radio would like to thank Fathom Events for presenting Star Trek: The Next Generation on the big screen and for granting us access to cover the wonderful event. We look forward to attending and covering future Fathom screenings and events.

On April 13, 2013, David R. George III will join TimeWarp and Nydra to discuss the Typhon Pact novels Plagues of Night and Raise the Dawn. Then on April 20, Michael A. Martin will sit with TimeWarp and Nydra to discuss his Typhon Pact novel Seize the Fire. Wrapping up the April author series, on April 27 Dayton Ward will dock at the Captain’s Table to discuss Paths of Disharmony.

These interviews are scheduled to debut during the Trek Radio Presents timeslot and will be replayed on a subsequent edition of the Captain’s Table. Each interview will also be posted on the On-Demand page for streaming anytime.

UPDATE:

Archives of the interviews with David R. George III, Michael A. Martin, and Dayton Ward have been posted to Trek Radio’s On-Demand section for streaming anytime.

Today, April 5 is a significant “pre-anniversary” marking 50 years before that fateful day when Zefram Cochrane’s first warp flight and subsequent Vulcan visitation causes the future of the human species to turn an important and indelible corner. So how do we celebrate such an iconic date? By using it as a rallying point for the expression of our love for Star Trek of course!

From now until the end of days let April 5th be known to everyone as Star Trek Day: A Fandom Inspired Holiday celebrating the science fiction phenomenon known throughout the galaxy as Star Trek. Establishing April 5 as Star Trek Day will give Trek fans worldwide a day to come together to celebrate our love for Star Trek and the Roddenberry vision of a better tomorrow. One of the goals for Star Trek Day is for mainstream community organizations and governmental agencies to support Star Trek and the IDIC philosophy – Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination.

Through coordination with fan clubs, local events, charitable organizations, and governmental agencies it’s our goal to have April 5th recognized internationally as the Official Star Trek Day.

So don your Trek-themed costumes and join your fellow fans in coming together on Star Trek Day with activities such as Star Trek viewing parties, charitable events, and more! Let us know what you have planned and how you are celebrating this inaugural Star Trek Day! Join us on Facebook and Twitter as we get the word out about one of our favorite science fiction franchises and this new fan-made holiday celebrating Star Trek! Tell the world what Star Trek means to you and invite others to share the love of Star Trek. Be sure to use the hashtag #StarTrekDay!

http://www.twitter.com/StarTrekDay
https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekDay

Cryptic developers had said this update was so big and game-changing they would not call it Season 8; instead dubbing it “Big Update”, then officially referring to it as STO’s first expansion. After the announcement, we can see why.

After three years, STO players will be able to play as a Romulan or Reman with the addition of the Romulan Republic — STO’s new, third faction. Klingon Defense Force players will also finally be able to start a new Klingon faction character at level one and progress to level 50. In addition to the inclusion of the new Romulan faction and expanding the Klingon faction, the “Legacy of Romulus” expansion will also introduce new features and update existing elements in the game.

The game’s User Interface will be updated with new aesthetics and functionality, and the character creation screen will be completely overhauled. New traits, reputations, and enemies will provide players more content through which to progress. Another significant addition is the first appearance of Empress Sela in STO, voiced by Star Trek: The Next Generation alum Denise Crosby, who recently reprised her role as Tasha Yar during STO’s third anniversary.

Like many other Star Trek fans, we’re eagerly anticipating the launch of “Legacy of Romulus.”

To celebrate the expansion of Star Trek Online, Trek Radio is working with our podcasting partners to bring you exclusive interviews with several STO developers behind “Legacy of Romulus”. Look for exciting new dev interviews to debut soon on the STO-related podcasts airing live every week on Trek Radio: Priority One, Podcast UGC, and STOked Radio.

Watch the Legacy of Romulus Teaser Trailer: