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South Park Creators Criticize Paramount for Delaying Season 27 Release
‘South Park’ Creators Lash Out at Paramount Over Season 27 Delay Amid Streaming Chaos
Fans of the long-running hit South Park have reason to be frustrated: the highly anticipated Season 27 premiere has been delayed yet again, shifting from its original July 9, 2025 release to July 23, 2025. While the creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, remain hard at work on new episodes, behind-the-scenes corporate drama is casting a shadow over the show’s return—and this time, the situation is both personal and public.
Corporate Battles and Streaming Rights Disputes
At the core of the delay is a tangled web of streaming rights and corporate power plays. As detailed in a recent Deadline report, the show’s release schedule has come to a halt due to disputes arising from the ongoing merger talks between Paramount and Skydance. That merger has had a direct impact on the lucrative streaming deals tied to South Park, particularly after the exclusive $500 million licensing contract with HBO Max expired, leaving the future streaming home for upcoming content in limbo.
For more than two years since Season 26 ended in March 2023, fans have been left waiting as legal and corporate negotiations have stalled progress. The 26 existing seasons remain available on HBO Max under a temporary extension, but the fate of new episodes is less certain—despite platforms like Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix reportedly vying for non-exclusive streaming rights. According to Parker and Stone, interference from Skydance and influential executive Jeff Shell (expected to become Paramount Global’s President) disrupted potential deals, including a reported shortened contract offer to Warner Bros. Discovery that would have withheld new seasons until they’d run exclusively on Paramount+ for a year.
Creators Speak Out—And Fans Respond
The frustration of Parker and Stone boiled over into public view this week. Their official and very candid response, posted to the show’s X (formerly Twitter) account, made headlines across entertainment media:
“This merger is a shtshow, and it’s fcking up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes, and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”
Their pointed criticism reflects how the battle over streaming is less about creative output and more about boardroom maneuvering. The dispute—which has generated discussion across social media platforms—has also brought renewed attention to the South Park Digital Studios arrangement and Paramount’s ambitions to position the series as a centerpiece for Paramount+.
What’s Next for South Park and Its Future
While the drama continues, one thing is clear: the creators and the audience are caught between competing entertainment giants vying for one of the most valuable IPs in comedic television. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have expressed both exasperation and a desire for fans to ultimately enjoy new content, but until a final deal is secured, delayed premieres and streaming uncertainty are likely to continue.
South Park’s legacy as a pop culture force remains undiminished, thanks in part to its pointed satire and ability to comment—sometimes controversially—on current events. Yet as the series nears three decades on the air since its Comedy Central debut in 1997, its fate will now be decided as much by lawyers and executives as by its irreverent creators.
Stay tuned to official sources like Comedy Central and reputable industry outlets for updates on the Season 27 premiere, and for the latest on where fans can stream new episodes once the dust settles. For more details on the ongoing situation and what to expect moving forward, check out this explainer on South Park’s streaming rights.
Images and cast information courtesy of MovieWeb.
This news underscores the complex new reality of television in the streaming age, where creative teams and viewers alike must navigate the shifting priorities of global media conglomerates. As the situation develops, all eyes are on Paramount, Skydance, and the South Park team to see when—and where—the boys of Colorado will finally return.
