The first episode of Star Trek is aired on NBC

The now iconic series struggled to find an audience at first, and was cancelled after just 3 seasons. However, its cult-like popularity blossomed in syndication and would grow into a media franchise included feature films, spin-off TV series, merchandising, conventions, and millions of devoted fans (Trekkies) all over the world. Unlike most network executives, producer and creator Gene Rodenberry believed intelligent life existed on the other side of the TV screen.  As such, he frequently used the genre of science fiction as a vehicle for social commentary. By setting the crew of the  Enterprise in  a utopian 23rd century, Star Trek could go where no series had gone before-frequently delving into taboo subject matter such as race relations.  Indeed, Star Trek is credited with he first interracial kiss on American network television in an episode entitled "Plato's Stepchildren," which aired on 22 November 1968. Star Trek became a worldwide cultural phenomenon, its influence extending far beyond the niche genre of science fiction.  Besides making an indelible mark on the popular lexicon, it is often credited with predicting, perhaps even inspiring, the development of then futuristic gadgets as the cell phone and hospital bed medical displays.  Star Trek: The Original Series and its later spin-offs are still brodcast today in over100 countries.