A lot of this is inaccurately presented, and some just plain wrong. Otherise, I'd like to see some proof, a statement or something from someone (perhaps a DP, or editor) from the 60s who worked on those shows in that last paragraph.
Also, TNG was "Filmed with Panavision Cameras and Lenses"...
Amazingly enough, yes. There were people on several different forums (including a few posts on another thread on this forum) discussing the issue, and some really believed that a 16x9 image could be carved out of the original film frame without any issues. And they kept using one - only one -...