South Park Creators Blast Paramount-Skydance Merger

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are frustrated with Paramount's decision to postpone the Season 27 premiere by two weeks. The duo took to the show's social media accounts to issue a statement, blaming the ongoing Paramount and Skydance merger for "f—king up" their series.

"In response to Comedy Central's press release announcing the new premiere date for South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone stated: 'This merger is a s—t show and it’s f—king up South Park,'" read their statement, released shortly after the network's announcement on July 2. "We are at the studio working on new episodes and hope our fans get to see them somehow."

The statement was published just thirty minutes after the official announcement, underscoring Parker and Stone's sense of betrayal over how their long-running hit is being handled during Paramount's corporate restructuring. Season 26 premiered over two years ago in March 2023 with only six episodes, followed by three additional specials released between October 2023 and March 2024.

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— South Park (@SouthPark) July 2, 2025

While Parker and Stone did not specify which aspects of the merger have impacted the show, Paramount—owner of Comedy Central—has faced other schedule disruptions, major layoffs, and outright cancellations amid the merger process.

Furthermore, the Skydance deal remains technically pending until its July 7 deadline, as the FCC has not yet approved the merger nearly a year after it was announced.

Compounding the issue is an ongoing legal battle over South Park's streaming rights. HBO Max previously held exclusive rights, but its deal expired in June, leaving the series in limbo as Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery negotiate a new agreement. The episodes remain available on the platform for now, and discussions to extend the contract are continuing. However, according to Variety, Parker and Stone allege that incoming Paramount president Jeff Shell has interfered in negotiations with both Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix.

South Park Season 27 is now scheduled to premiere on Comedy Central on July 23, instead of the originally planned July 9 date.