South Park Creators Blame Paramount-Skydance Merger for Season Delay, Report Legal Threats

The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have expressed strong frustration with the recent two-week delay of the show's 27th season, blaming the upcoming merger between Paramount Global and Skydance for disrupting production and streaming rights negotiations. The merger, expected to finalize by July 6, has led to conflicts over streaming rights, with Parker and Stone accusing Skydance and Paramount's incoming president Jeff Shell of interfering in contract discussions with Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount currently holds two more years on a $900 million digital rights deal for South Park, and Shell allegedly sought to modify competing bids to favor Paramount+, including demands for an exclusivity window and shorter contract terms, which Parker and Stone claim harms their interests. The creators' company, Park County, has threatened legal action to stop what they call unauthorized interference that jeopardizes their rights and the show’s availability. Despite behind-the-scenes turmoil, the new season promises typical South Park satire with controversial and topical storylines. The delay and contract disputes have created uncertainty about where fans can stream the show beyond its broadcast on Comedy Central.