The creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, expressed their dissatisfaction with Paramount Global on Tuesday due to a two-week postponement of the latest season of their acclaimed comedy series. In a statement posted on X, they voiced their concerns, attributing the delay to the impending merger between Paramount Global and Skydance, which they described as detrimental to their work. “This merger is a s—show and it’s f—ing up South Park,” they stated. “We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”
The official “South Park” account on X confirmed the new premiere date, announcing that the 27th season will debut on Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 PM ET/PT on Comedy Central. This upcoming season marks the show’s return after a two-year break. However, Comedy Central has not provided an explanation for the delay.
According to Deadline.com, the merger between Paramount and Skydance is expected to be completed by July 6, with Skydance set to take control of Paramount Global. At the helm, Skydance Media’s Jeff Shell is anticipated to oversee the merged entity, but Parker and Stone have accused him of hindering their ongoing contract negotiations with Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Streaming rights for “South Park” are viewed as non-exclusive and have been negotiated with various platforms, including Netflix and HBO Max from Warner Bros. Discovery. Parker and Stone’s entertainment venture, Park County, has even threatened legal action against Shell’s companies, Redbird and Skydance. They are accusing these entities of manipulating negotiations to alter streaming deal terms that would ultimately favor Paramount following the merger.
The creators alleged that Shell has pressured streaming platforms to grant Paramount+ an exclusive 12-month window for the new show’s episodes while shortening the deal term from ten years to five, potentially undermining Park County’s interests. In a letter representing Park County, they demanded that Redbird and Skydance cease their alleged interference: “If these activities continue, we will have no choice but to act to both protect our rights and discharge any obligations we may have to the public.”
As of now, neither Paramount nor the “South Park” creators have responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
