OMG – They Killed South Park! Or Not. But is Its Future at Stake?

What is going on with South Park? One of the longest-running animated shows is now involved in a nasty contract dispute between Paramount Global and Skydance. Fans have been upset that it was pulled from Paramount+ ahead of its 27th season premiere. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have been caught right in the center of this brewing storm.

History of South Park

Gen-Xers and millennials alike will remember when the legendary kids from the town of South Park, Colorado, debuted back in August 1997. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone were at a possible precipice of something very big (…longer and uncut)! Sorry.

South Park is known for its satirical humor, toilet humor (Mr. Hankey!), and its ability to poke fun at almost anything. In the same vein as Seth MacFarlane and The Family Guy, the show’s humor has been quite edgy and often controversial. Many (often politically charged) episodes are still talked about to this day.

The animated series has been on for 27 seasons; there’s merchandise, there are several movies, shorts, and soundtracks. Kyle, Stan, Cartman, and Kenny have had their array of friends and families also in the spotlight, along with notable guest stars. The show has attracted big names such as Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Jay Leno, Natasha Henstridge, Henry Winkler, Richard Belzer, and Bill Hader. The band Korn has also appeared on the series, and the beloved character Chef was played by Isaac Hayes.

Distribution Rights of South Park

As with any show that has been on air for decades, it will eventually get distributed to streaming platforms. South Park has gone through a whole history of multiple distribution companies over the past 15 or so years, but the most current is with Paramount+. Now, there is the issue with Skydance, Redbird, and Paramount Global. (Paramount Global is the parent company of both Comedy Central and Paramount+.)

As of last week, South Park’s international fans were angry after the show was pulled off the distribution network due to an ongoing licensing dispute. The show’s newest season has a premiere date of Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The series also has two more years left on its contract.

What’s Next for South Park?

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are now in negotiations with Skydance. However, Skydance has different parameters in mind in regards to the deal. Originally, Park County, Parker and Stone’s entertainment company, negotiated a 10-year, $3 billion contract through Paramount Global. The pre-acquisition would’ve enabled Paramount+ to stream the show for another 10 years.

An unnamed Skydance rep had stated in part:

…under the terms of the transaction agreement, Skydance has the right to approve material contracts.

Since then, Park County has brought in prominent attorney Bryan Freedman, who is known for his aggressive negotiation tactics. It seems as though a legal battle is brewing. In response, Park County wrote, “We hereby demand that you, Redbird, and Skydance immediately cease your interference.”

Unfortunately, it remains to be seen what will happen with South Park, its highly anticipated season 27 release date, and the future. We can only hope that the Colorado kids, Parker, and Stone can reach a deal. On the bright side, this will probably be fantastic fodder for a future episode.