South Park inks $1.5B Paramount+ deal for 5 seasons

Eric Cartman proves hard to keep down. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone appear close to finalizing a landmark streaming rights deal following intense negotiations sparked by the Paramount-Skydance merger.

Massive Streaming Deal Takes Shape

Paramount Global reached an agreement July 21 to acquire streaming rights for South Park on Paramount+, The Los Angeles Times reports. Though not yet finalized, the proposed five-year deal – which includes Parker and Stone's Park County Productions committing to 10 annual episodes – could fetch $300 million per year, totaling over $1.5 billion.

Should it close, this would cement South Park among television's most valuable franchises. The notoriously profane animated series became a global phenomenon after its 1999 debut, spawning feature films, video games, merchandise, and countless specials.

Production Turmoil Amid Corporate Shakeup

South Park's future recently appeared uncertain when HBO Max's streaming rights expired in June. The creative team has publicly expressed frustration with both licensing negotiations and production disruptions stemming from Paramount's merger with Skydance.

The comedy has only released six episodes and three specials since February 2023. After Paramount delayed Season 27's premiere from July 9 to 23, Parker and Stone issued a blistering statement:

"This merger is a s**tshow and it's f**king up South Park," the creators wrote following Comedy Central's July 2 announcement. "We're at the studio working on new episodes and hope fans get to see them somehow."

The impending streaming deal suggests resolution may finally be coming – with South Park's signature chaotic spirit intact.