The premiere of South Park Season 27 is finally here, airing tonight, July 23, after a massive deal between creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and Paramount.
The landmark contract, worth a staggering $1.5 billion over five years, ensures that the iconic Comedy Central show continues its run while Paramount works through its merger with Skydance.
Earlier this month, tensions were high when Parker and Stone voiced their frustration on social media, blaming the Paramount and Skydance merger for the two-week delay in the season premiere. The duo even brought in a “bulldog negotiator” lawyer as the contract dispute escalated. But now the deal is done, and South Park fans can rejoice as the season kicks off tonight.
Under the new agreement, 50 fresh episodes will air on Comedy Central, valued at $300 million per year. In addition, South Park’s extensive library will move to Paramount+ in the U.S. and internationally. New episodes will be available to stream the day after airing on Comedy Central.
In a moment of celebration, Matt Stone expressed his gratitude for the deal and his excitement about the future, thanking Paramount’s executives. Trey Parker, however, took a different route with a tongue-in-cheek sports cliche: “We are grateful for this opportunity and deeply honored by the trust placed in us. This is about more than a contract – it’s about our commitment to this organization, our teammates, and our fans. We’re focused on building something special and doing whatever it takes to bring championships to this city.”
The deal explains how South Park’s 50 episodes could be valued at $1.5 billion: the agreement also serves as an advance on streaming revenue, and Park County, the production company behind South Park, takes 50% of streaming revenue, despite Paramount owning the show itself.
The long-running show continues to prove that, unlike other animated series, South Park’s sharp wit and irreverence show no signs of slowing down.