South Park Showdown: 26 Seasons Removed, No Season 27? $3 Billion Battle Threatens Future of Long-Running Series

LOS ANGELES — With the iconic animated comedy South Park set to return for its 27th season later this month, fans might be in for a rude awakening: the premiere could be delayed—or worse, indefinitely shelved. A behind-the-scenes battle involving series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Paramount Global, and Skydance Media is threatening to derail one of television’s most enduring franchises.

At the center of the chaos is a proposed 10-year, $3 billion mega-deal between Parker and Stone’s Park County studio and Paramount Global—a deal that would more than triple the value of their current agreement, which expires in 2027. However, the newly incoming regime—Skydance Media, which is in the midst of a high-stakes merger with Paramount—isn’t on board.

According to insiders, Skydance CEO David Ellison and RedBird Capital’s Jeff Shell (the proposed new president of Paramount) object to the length of the deal, preferring a five-year term. They argue that in today’s fast-evolving media landscape, long-term commitments of that scale don’t align with the company's shifting priorities.

“There is no resolution at this time, but all involved recognize the need for a quick, positive resolution,” Park County said in a statement Monday.

Yet the standoff is turning hostile. Parker and Stone have retained powerhouse litigator Bryan Freedman, signaling potential legal action against Skydance for what they claim is improper interference in negotiations—despite the merger not being fully finalized.

On July 2, the creators took to social media in frustration:

“This merger is a shtshow and it’s f**ing up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”

As of now, the Season 27 premiere—originally planned for July 9—has already been delayed until July 23, but even that may be optimistic.

🚫 Streaming Chaos & Corporate Clashes

Park County holds an unusually lucrative position, earning approximately 50% of streaming revenue through South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture with Paramount’s Comedy Partners. That legacy arrangement dates back to the early 2000s when the internet was still cutting its teeth.

But streaming licenses have expired in both domestic and international markets. HBO Max, under Warner Bros. Discovery, extended its U.S. streaming rights after a temporary agreement. Internationally, Paramount+ was forced to pull the show when licensing lapsed last week—yet another symptom of the stalemate.

Adding financial pressure, Park County reportedly owes $800 million in loans to private equity giant Carlyle Group, with annual interest estimated around $80 million. This has likely intensified the push for a richer, long-term deal.

⚖️ Legal Fireworks Incoming?

The situation is inching toward court. A cease-and-desist letter sent June 21 by Park County to Skydance and RedBird warned that continued interference would compel legal retaliation. The letter, reviewed by Main Event News, asserts Skydance has no right to influence deal-making until the merger is complete.

“We hereby demand that you, RedBird, and Skydance immediately cease your interference… If these activities continue, we will have no choice but to act.”

Meanwhile, Paramount appears divided. Park County lawyer Kevin Morris, now known for his involvement with Hunter Biden, insists on a full 10-year commitment. Paramount reportedly remains open to a large annual payout—potentially over $150 million per year—but not for a full decade.

MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

Hollywood is no stranger to boardroom drama, but when billion-dollar deals collide with cultural institutions like South Park, the stakes hit differently. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have spent nearly three decades shaping irreverent television history. Now, the fate of their show rests not in a creative decision—but in the hands of corporate gatekeepers juggling streaming wars, regulatory delays, and investor demands. If this standoff continues, it won’t just be a missed premiere date—it’ll mark the unraveling of a landmark franchise at the altar of a risky media merger.