The highly anticipated Season 27 premiere of South Park now faces potential delays as a reported $3 billion deal sparks a dispute between creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Paramount Global, and incoming studio owner Skydance.
Earlier this month, Parker and Stone voiced their frustration on social media regarding Paramount's decision to postpone the Season 27 premiere by two weeks. Their statement was perfectly in-character for the show's tone.
"This merger is a complete mess and it's disrupting South Park," the duo stated jointly. "We're at the studio working on new episodes and hope our fans get to see them, one way or another."
pic.twitter.com/gNwBAtjOh4
— South Park (@SouthPark) July 2, 2025
Season 26 premiered over two years ago in March 2023 with a six-episode run, followed by three additional special episodes released between October of that year and March 2024.
A detailed report from The Hollywood Reporter indicates the conflict centers on a proposed new 10-year, $3 billion overall deal for Parker and Stone. This agreement would more than triple the value of their current contract, which expires in 2027.
What's the likely outcome? It appears increasingly probable the dispute will head to court. Parker and Stone have hired Bryan Freedman, a prominent attorney known for aggressive legal strategies and tough negotiation. A potential lawsuit could accuse Skydance of interfering with contract negotiations.
Skydance, which is still awaiting regulatory approval for its merger with Paramount, reportedly insists it holds contract approval rights. The company finds the proposed deal's length unsatisfactory, preferring to maintain greater flexibility.
Season 27 is scheduled to debut on July 23, but that date is now uncertain. The show's streaming agreements expired on June 30, resulting in an extension of the domestic deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to keep South Park available on HBO Max. Internationally, however, the series was recently removed from Paramount+.
For a complete breakdown of the situation, read the full report from The Hollywood Reporter.
