After a two-year hiatus, the irreverent animated satire South Park has returned with its 27th season, reigniting old controversies and sparking new conversations. The show’s latest run, which kicked off on July 23, 2025, has already made waves with its sharp-tongued humor and timely political jabs, reminding viewers why it remains both beloved and divisive nearly three decades after its debut.
The season’s premiere episode, titled "Sermon on the 'Mount,'" wasted no time in lampooning high-profile figures. According to TheWrap, the episode took direct aim at former President Donald Trump and even poked fun at its own parent company, Paramount, for recent dealings with Trump. The boldness of the satire was such that it prompted an official response from the Trump White House, illustrating just how much cultural heft the show still wields.
But the show didn’t stop there. Episode 2, which aired on August 6, 2025, centered on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the ratings soared. As USA TODAY reported, this episode’s focus on a hot-button issue drew a massive bump in viewership, proving that South Park can still capture the zeitgeist—and ruffle a few feathers along the way.
After this intense start, fans had to endure a brief pause. The show went on a break to celebrate its 28th birthday, with a marathon of fan-favorite episodes airing on August 13, 2025—a day that Paramount Media Networks officially marked as "South Park Day." This celebratory marathon gave die-hard fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane while they waited for fresh content.
Now, the wait is over. Season 27’s third episode is set to air on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. For those who prefer streaming, the episode will be available on Paramount+ the following day, Thursday, August 21, at 6 a.m. ET / 3 a.m. PT, according to both USA TODAY and TheWrap. The midweek release schedule has become a staple for the series, although this season’s episodes are dropping intermittently rather than following a strict weekly cadence.
Those eager to catch up or rewatch earlier antics have some decisions to make. As of now, Seasons 1 through 26 of South Park are available on HBO Max. However, TheWrap notes that these seasons will be removed from HBO Max by the time Season 27 hits screens. The show’s streaming future has been a point of contention and negotiation, but it’s now settled, at least for the next several years.
This new era for South Park comes courtesy of a blockbuster $1.5 billion, five-year global streaming deal between creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Paramount. The deal, which was finalized after some protracted negotiations, brings episodes of South Park to Paramount+ in the United States for the first time and restores the show to the streaming service in several foreign countries after a brief absence. As TheWrap explains, the creators had previously delayed the season’s release, partly to avoid covering another U.S. Presidential Election and partly to give Paramount time to, in their words, “figure all their s–t out.”
For viewers interested in the specifics, Paramount+ offers two subscription plans for access to the new episodes. The Essential plan costs $7.99 per month and includes thousands of episodes, movies, and live NFL on CBS (with limited ads). The Premium plan, priced at $12.99 per month, includes everything in the Essential package plus Showtime originals, blockbuster movies, and live TV with fewer ads, as detailed by USA TODAY.
But what is it about South Park that keeps audiences coming back, year after year, controversy after controversy? At its core, the show follows four uncivil 10-year-old boys—Stan, Cartman, Kyle, and Kenny—as they navigate the absurdities of life in the fictional town of South Park, Colorado. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the series began as a cult-favorite animated short, "The Spirit of Christmas," which circulated on VHS tapes in the mid-1990s. Its official debut on August 13, 1997, marked the start of a pop culture phenomenon that has since become a staple of American satire.
The show’s unique blend of crude humor, biting social commentary, and fearless lampooning of public figures has earned it both critical acclaim and frequent controversy. Over the years, South Park has skewered everyone from celebrities to politicians, often walking a fine line between satire and offense. This season is no different. The opening two episodes have already tackled the Trump administration and ICE, with pointed jokes at the expense of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, as reported by USA TODAY.
Yet, for all its controversy, the series has shown remarkable staying power. Its longevity is, in part, due to the creative freedom afforded to Parker and Stone, who have retained tight control over their creation. The new streaming deal only cements their influence, ensuring that their vision for South Park will remain unfiltered for years to come.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled with the show’s approach. Some viewers and critics argue that its satire can sometimes cross the line, while others see it as an essential check on political and social power. The show’s willingness to take on sacred cows—be they political figures, corporations, or even its own network—has always been part of its DNA. As the premiere episode’s lampooning of both Trump and Paramount made clear, nothing is off-limits.
For now, fans can look forward to the next chapter in South Park’s storied run. With Season 27’s third episode set to air on August 20, 2025, and streaming available the next day, the show’s blend of humor and controversy is once again front and center. Whether you love it, hate it, or simply can’t look away, South Park remains a cultural force—one that’s not afraid to stir the pot, even after all these years.
As the boys of South Park return to their animated misadventures, one thing is certain: the show’s knack for sparking conversation is as sharp as ever, and the world will be watching to see what—or who—they skewer next.