The highly anticipated 27th season of the iconic animated series “South Park” has been hit with a two-week postponement. Originally slated for a July 9th premiere, the new episodes are now set to debut on Comedy Central on July 23rd. This unexpected delay has provoked a strikingly candid and angry reaction from the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Parker and Stone, known for their blunt commentary both within their show and in public, took to social media to voice their displeasure. Their statement directly pointed fingers at the proposed merger between Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount Global, and Skydance Media. They described the ongoing situation as a “[expletive] show” that is “f—ing up South Park,” emphasizing that despite the corporate turmoil, they are actively working on new episodes and hope fans will “get to see them somehow.”
Why the Delay? Unpacking Corporate Conflicts and streaming Battles
The creators’ visceral reaction isn’t just about a simple scheduling change. It appears deeply rooted in long-standing tensions and complex business disputes surrounding the show’s valuable streaming rights, amplified by the instability of a pending corporate merger. The potential Paramount-Skydance tie-up seems to be directly impacting key decisions and negotiations crucial to “South Park”‘s future distribution.
For years, Parker and Stone have navigated intricate deals regarding their creation. As far back as 2007, they established South Park Digital Studios as a joint venture to control the show’s digital presence, a forward-thinking move at the time. However, the streaming landscape evolved dramatically. Paramount, initially lacking its own major streaming platform, licensed exclusive streaming rights for “South Park” to HBO Max in a lucrative deal.
Streaming Rights in Limbo
This HBO Max deal, which included access to new episodes, expired in June 2025. Simultaneously, after launching Paramount+, Paramount struck a new agreement with Parker and Stone in 2021 for additional seasons and exclusive “special events” specifically for their platform. This led to a situation where new content was being produced for two different services, causing friction and even legal challenges in the past.
The original plan was for “South Park”‘s entire library and future new episodes to consolidate exclusively onto Paramount+ after the HBO Max deal ended. However, sources indicate that Paramount has not yet finalized these crucial streaming rights agreements amidst the merger chaos. This leaves the show’s digital availability uncertain for fans who don’t subscribe to traditional cable. While new standard episodes are contractually obligated to air on Comedy Central for two more years, their immediate streaming availability is currently in limbo.
Allegations of Interference
Further fueling the creators’ frustration are serious allegations of interference in their efforts to secure new streaming deals with other potential partners, such as Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery (which operates HBO Max). Reports citing documents revealed by The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Parker and Stone’s company, Park County, has accused Jeff Shell, who is reportedly set to lead the merged Paramount-Skydance entity, of attempting to sabotage these negotiations.
Shell is alleged to have pushed for terms that would benefit Paramount+ post-merger, potentially at the expense of Park County’s ability to strike favorable deals. This included allegedly urging Warner Bros. Discovery to demand a shorter contract term (five years instead of ten) and granting Paramount+ an exclusive 12-month window for new episodes. Park County’s attorney reportedly sent a letter warning that such interference must cease, or they would be forced to take action to protect their rights.
What to Expect (and Not Expect) in the New Season
Amidst these corporate battles, some details about the creative direction of Season 27 have emerged, offering fans a glimpse into the show’s focus – or lack thereof. In a recent interview, Matt Stone revealed a surprising decision: they intend to largely steer clear of satirizing Donald Trump in the upcoming season. Stone commented that they felt they had said about all they could say about Trump, calling the process of satirizing election cycles a “mind scramble” that makes creating the show “less fun.”
This marks a notable shift from the 2016 election cycle, where a character based on Trump played a significant role. Stone indicated that choosing a 2025 return date was partly strategic, allowing Paramount+ time to “figure all their shit out,” but also a deliberate choice to bypass the intensity of the current election showdown. While they won’t heavily focus on Trump, “South Park” is expected to continue its signature irreverent take on a wide range of other cultural and political topics.
Working Through the Chaos
Despite the business hurdles and the creators’ visible anger, production continues. Parker and Stone confirmed they are actively working on the new episodes, determined to bring their unique brand of satire back to the airwaves. Their statement, while critical of the merger’s impact, also conveyed a desire for the finished episodes to reach their dedicated fanbase.
The delay and the surrounding controversy highlight the complex interplay between creative production and the often-turbulent world of major media mergers. Fans are left hoping the corporate issues are resolved swiftly, ensuring that Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny make their planned July return, regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was South Park Season 27 delayed?
The two-week delay of “South Park” Season 27 appears to be linked to the ongoing corporate merger negotiations between Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount Global, and Skydance Media. Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker directly blamed the merger, stating it was disrupting the show. Complex issues surrounding the show’s streaming rights amid the merger talks are believed to be a primary factor.
Where will South Park Season 27 air/stream when it premieres?
The 27th season of “South Park” is scheduled to premiere on Comedy Central on July 23rd. While new episodes will air on Comedy Central for the next two years under the current deal, the show’s streaming availability is currently uncertain. The previous deal with HBO Max expired in June, and a planned exclusive move to Paramount+ has not been finalized amidst the merger issues, leaving fans without cable unsure where new episodes will stream immediately after airing.
What topics will South Park Season 27 focus on?
According to co-creator Matt Stone, “South Park” Season 27 will largely avoid satirizing Donald Trump. The creators feel they have already said much about him and find focusing heavily on presidential elections creatively taxing. While they chose the 2025 premiere partly due to streaming platform issues, they also intentionally timed it to bypass the intensity of the current election cycle. The season is expected to continue its satire on various other cultural and social topics.
