In a landmark move shaking up the streaming landscape, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the Emmy and Oscar-nominated creators of the irreverent animated series South Park, have secured a staggering $1.5 billion deal with Paramount to bring the show’s global streaming rights exclusively to Paramount+ for the next five years. This agreement, valued at $300 million annually, marks a significant strategic win for Paramount+ as it competes fiercely with giants like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.
The deal, which was reported by the Los Angeles Times on July 21, 2025, comes after months of complex negotiations and corporate maneuvering, including a tense standoff involving the creators, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Paramount’s acquisition of the streaming rights means that for the first time, regular episodes of South Park will be available on Paramount+ in the U.S., a notable shift from the previous exclusive streaming arrangement with HBO Max, which expired in late June 2025.
The timing of the deal is particularly significant, arriving just days before the premiere of South Park’s 27th season on Comedy Central on July 23, 2025, and ahead of Parker and Stone’s anticipated appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on July 24. The season’s premiere had already been delayed by two weeks amid behind-the-scenes drama, which the creators openly criticized. In a candid statement on the official South Park Twitter account, Parker and Stone expressed frustration with the corporate merger turmoil, writing, “This merger is a shit show and it’s fucking up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”
The deal was negotiated through Parker and Stone’s Park County production company, which has long been central to the show’s operations and revenue. Since 2007, Park County has been entitled to nearly half of the show’s streaming revenue via a joint venture with Paramount called South Park Digital Studios. Paramount expects to recoup about half of the licensing fee through this revenue-sharing arrangement, a savvy business move amid the high stakes.
Negotiations were complicated by Paramount’s pending sale to Skydance Media, with the latter’s executives, including Jeff Shell of RedBird Capital Partners, playing a significant role in the talks. Park County accused Shell of interfering in contract negotiations with other companies, an allegation his representatives denied. Initially, Park County sought a 10-year deal valued at $3 billion, but Skydance pushed back, favoring a shorter five-year term given the uncertain future of television and streaming markets. The negotiations became so fraught that Park County enlisted prominent litigators to prepare a lawsuit targeting Paramount and Skydance, though talks ultimately resumed and concluded successfully by mid-July.
Besides securing streaming rights, Parker and Stone are renegotiating their overall production deal with Paramount to continue creating new South Park episodes for Comedy Central beyond their current contract, which runs through 2027. Their previous agreement, signed in 2021, was worth $900 million and funded both the main series and several made-for-streaming specials on Paramount+. The new deal not only solidifies the show’s presence on Paramount+ but also expands the creators’ creative freedom to develop new episodes, movies, and special events within the South Park universe.
Paramount Global’s executive Chris McCarthy highlighted the importance of the deal, emphasizing that South Park remains one of the most successful and recognizable franchises worldwide. He praised Parker and Stone for their distinctive voice and storytelling, which have kept the show relevant and beloved for more than 25 years. Since its debut in 1997, South Park has evolved from a scrappy, cutout animation experiment into a cultural institution known for its biting satire of politics, pop culture, and societal absurdities.
For Paramount+, securing exclusive streaming rights to South Park is a strategic coup in the fiercely competitive streaming wars. The platform has previously aired several South Park event specials, but this new five-year deal ensures that the entire series, including regular episodes, will be a cornerstone of its content library. This move is expected to attract both long-time fans and new viewers, bolstering Paramount+’s subscriber base and content offerings.
The deal also underscores the shifting dynamics in the entertainment industry, where legacy shows with strong fanbases are becoming critical assets for streaming platforms seeking to differentiate themselves. While Netflix and Disney+ continue to invest heavily in original content, Paramount+ is leveraging established brands like South Park to carve out its niche.
As for the creators, Parker and Stone retain full creative control over the show, writing, directing, and voicing many characters, which contributes to South Park’s unique style and enduring appeal. The new agreement grants them the space to explore fresh ideas within the franchise, promising fans more of the edgy humor and sharp social commentary they expect.
With the 27th season premiere set for July 23, 2025, fans can look forward to new episodes airing on Comedy Central, complemented by the streaming availability on Paramount+. The deal also hints at future projects, including possible movies or special events akin to the successful “Post COVID” specials previously released on Paramount+.
In the end, this $1.5 billion streaming deal not only cements South Park’s place in the modern entertainment landscape but also highlights the ongoing evolution of how audiences consume content. As streaming platforms vie for exclusivity and subscriber loyalty, iconic shows like South Park prove that bold, original voices remain invaluable in capturing viewers’ attention across generations.
