Fans of the animated series “South Park” are eagerly awaiting the premiere of Season 27. Originally scheduled for release on July 9, the debut has now been delayed to July 23, a move attributed to the ongoing acquisition of Comedy Central’s parent company, Paramount, by Skydance Media.
The show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have expressed their frustration over the delay. They took to social media platform X to voice their concerns about the merger, which they claim is complicating the production of new episodes. “This merger is a s–tshow and it’s f—ing up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow,” they stated.
Parker and Stone have been navigating changes in their relationship with Paramount following the expiration of their streaming deal in June. This agreement allowed them to secure 50 percent of South Park’s streaming revenue. Unfortunately, negotiations to extend the deal have stalled due to the involvement of Skydance, prompting the duo to seek legal counsel and threaten action against Skydance CEO David Ellison and incoming Paramount president Jeff Shell for alleged interference.
In a related note, outside of the U.S., “South Park” has recently been removed from Paramount+ as its streaming license has expired, while U.S. viewers can still enjoy the series on HBO Max.
Despite the challenges surrounding the upcoming season, fans remain hopeful. The scheduled return of “South Park” on July 23 is still in place, and there is anticipation regarding whether Parker and Stone will finalize a new streaming agreement with Paramount before then.
This situation reflects broader challenges facing the entertainment industry, particularly as corporations navigate mergers and acquisitions that can disrupt established partnerships and content availability. With resilience and dedication to their audience, Parker and Stone continue to work on delivering new content, keeping the spirit of “South Park” alive amidst corporate upheaval.