South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone secured a record-breaking $1.5 billion streaming rights deal with Paramount Global, transferring the entire animated series library exclusively to Paramount+. The five-year agreement, valued at $300 million annually, represents one of television’s most expensive content acquisitions. Paramount outbid HBO Max following failed co-streaming negotiations, while Park County receives $250 million annually through 2030 for producing minimum fifty new episodes, establishing unprecedented creator compensation structures.
While streaming platforms continue restructuring their content portfolios amid industrywide financial uncertainty, Paramount Global has committed an unprecedented $1.5 billion over five years to secure exclusive global streaming rights for South Park, marking one of the most expensive content acquisitions in television history. The deal, valued at $300 million annually, positions South Park among the highest-valued television properties and demonstrates Paramount’s strategic focus on proven franchises during turbulent market conditions.
Paramount successfully outbid competitors after negotiations with HBO Max, which previously held U.S. streaming rights, failed to produce a co-streaming arrangement. The agreement transfers the entire South Park episode library exclusively to Paramount+ in both domestic and international markets, consolidating distribution rights within a single platform to enhance brand identity and subscriber retention.
Paramount secures exclusive global South Park streaming rights after outbidding HBO Max, consolidating the entire episode library under one platform.
Simultaneously, Paramount extended a separate production agreement with Park County, the production company owned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. This companion deal guarantees Park County a minimum of $250 million annually through 2030, requiring the production of at least 50 new episodes. Under the joint venture structure, approximately half of the streaming rights payments flow directly to Park County, creating substantial revenue streams for the creators.
The combined agreements, estimated to exceed $2 billion, represent among the richest franchise deals in television history. Industry observers cited South Park’s consistent audience delivery and proven streaming value as critical factors during negotiations, emphasizing the property’s bankable status amid broader financial headwinds affecting entertainment companies. The new deal replaces a previous $900 million agreement that wasn’t scheduled to expire until 2027.
New episodes will continue premiering on Comedy Central before moving to next-day streaming availability on Paramount+, maintaining cross-platform synergy between linear television and streaming services. The contract also includes provisions for additional original South Park films exclusively for the streaming platform. Season 27 of South Park premieres Wednesday night on Comedy Central, coinciding with the streaming rights announcement.
The South Park investment follows Paramount’s cancellation of high-profile programming, including The Late Show partnership termination, reflecting the company’s strategic prioritization of established hits over experimental content. This approach underscores legacy animated content’s significance in the modern streaming landscape, where multi-decade franchises provide stability and competitive advantages for platform operators seeking subscriber growth in an increasingly saturated market.
