LOS ANGELES – September 28, 2011 – The beloved series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION® will be transferred to high-definition for the first time ever and released on Blu-ray™, it was announced today by Ken Ross, Executive Vice President and General Manager of CBS Home Entertainment. All 178 episodes from seven seasons will be transferred to true high-definition 1080p for release on Blu-ray and eventual runs on television and digital platforms both domestically and internationally.

I’m a fan of TNG; watched it religiously when it was on, back in the late 80s – early 90s. Still watch old episodes now. Although, you wouldn’t find me at one of those Star Trek conventions dressed like a Klingon; but I dug the series. I’m a fan of sci-fi in general anyway, so this is certainly news I can appreciate.

Currently, you’ll find the entire 178 episodes from 7 seasons streaming on Netflix, but in sub-par, though watchable quality. It’s just not quite the same experience when compared to true high-definition 1080p. So yes, I’ll likely be purchasing this when it’s released late in 2012.

Of note, Whoopi Goldberg, LeVar Burton and Michael Dorn all were series regulars, and even, on occasion, were the central focus in episodes written around their characters specifically ; Burton and Dorn were there through it all, from beginning to end; Whoopi came in a year after its debut, and left a year before its finale.

LeVar even directed 2 episodes.

TNG won 18 Primetime Emmys during its run, by the way.

No specific date nor price have been given yet for the Blu-ray set.

Here’s the trailer announcing the release: