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Pluto TV did offer a free, ad-supported Star Trek promotion for William Shatner’s 95th birthday—but the temporary event is over. The pop-up category launched on March 20, 2026, included a major marathon on March 22, and was scheduled to run through April 3. As of August 18, 2026, viewers should not expect to find the birthday takeover still available.
What Pluto TV offered
The promotion was a Pluto TV event, not a permanent change to Star Trek’s streaming rights and not a platform-wide replacement of Pluto TV’s regular channels. For viewers with access to Pluto TV in their market, the temporary free, ad-supported programming included:
- A Star Trek pop-up category with six channels.
- A dedicated Star Trek channel featuring episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.
- A Star Trek: The Motion Pictures channel.
- A March 22 all-day Star Trek marathon.
- Star Trek films I–VI on the Motion Pictures Channel.
- The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner at 10 p.m. ET on March 22.
The dates and lineup were reported by Cord Cutters News. “Free” meant free to watch on Pluto TV with advertising; it did not mean commercial-free viewing.
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| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2026 | The temporary Star Trek pop-up category launched. |
| March 22, 2026 | William Shatner turned 95, and Pluto TV ran the main marathon and scheduled film and comedy programming. |
| April 3, 2026 | The pop-up category was scheduled to end. |
| August 18, 2026 | The birthday promotion was no longer active. |
Which films were included?
The reported on-demand lineup included the six original-cast films starring Shatner as Captain Kirk:
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek: Generations was also listed, along with the remaining theatrical films:
- Star Trek: First Contact
- Star Trek: Insurrection
- Star Trek: Nemesis
- Star Trek (2009)
- Star Trek Into Darkness
- Star Trek Beyond
This was the lineup reported for the promotion, not a guarantee of current Pluto TV availability. Live-channel programming and on-demand titles are separate: a film appearing in a temporary channel schedule does not necessarily mean it remains in Pluto TV’s on-demand library.
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Can you still watch the birthday takeover?
No—not as the temporary birthday event. The pop-up category was scheduled to remain only through April 3, 2026. Pluto TV may later license individual Star Trek films or episodes, and availability can differ by market and device, but readers should not rely on older articles describing the birthday marathon as a current offering.
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The promotion was also not established as a worldwide event. Pluto TV listings can vary across the United States, other markets, web browsers, mobile apps, smart TVs, and connected-TV devices.
Where to watch Star Trek now
For viewers who missed the event and want a more organized Star Trek collection, Paramount+ describes itself as the streaming home of Star Trek. Its Star Trek Collection page promotes more than 10 series and all 13 theatrical films, subject to the service’s current catalog and regional rights.
Paramount+ is a subscription alternative, not a way to access the expired Pluto TV birthday takeover. If you want only one film, a digital rental or purchase may be more practical than starting a recurring subscription. Library-based digital services can also be worth checking, although their Star Trek catalogs depend on local licensing.
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Why 2026 is significant for Star Trek
Shatner’s birthday promotion was separate from Star Trek’s broader 60th-anniversary celebrations. The original series premiered on September 8, 1966, making September 8, 2026 the franchise’s 60th anniversary.
StarTrek.com announced fan-focused anniversary activities throughout 2026, while Paramount+ maintains a 60th-anniversary guide. The two milestones overlap on the calendar, but Pluto TV’s March event specifically marked William Shatner’s 95th birthday.
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The practical takeaway
Pluto TV’s free Star Trek marathon was legitimate, temporary, and ad-supported. It ran from March 20 to April 3, 2026, with the main birthday programming on March 22. Since the event has ended, viewers should check current Pluto TV listings for rotating free access or use Paramount+, a digital rental service, or a library platform for Star Trek that is available now.
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