Paramount+ to Launch Two New South Park Movies Later This Year, As Part of New 14-Movie Deal
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of South Park, have signed a new, $900 million, six-year deal with ViacomCBS that will allow them to bring two South Park spin-off movies to Paramount+ later this year. This would be the first South Park-related content coming to the platform, as ViacomCBS has licensed the catalog of the TV show to HBO Max.
In addition to the two movies coming to Paramount+ this year, Parker and Stone will be making another 12 movies for the platform — two per year — through the deal. Also as part of the deal, Parker and Stone agreed to continue new episodes of South Park for Comedy Central at least through Season 30.
The new movies will expand on the existing world of South Park, introducing new concepts and characters.
Ahead of the launch of HBO Max, WarnerMedia revealed that all seasons of South Park would become available exclusively on the streamer in June 2020 followed by three brand new seasons, which debut on HBO Max 24 hours after each episode premieres on Comedy Central. The episodes previously were available on Hulu.
Since the content was already licensed to another streaming service, ViacomCBS had to take another approach to get fresh South Park content on their streaming service. The new deal with Parker and Stone will outlast HBO Max rights, so it is expected that the TV series will land on Paramount+ once it’s over.
They have done something similar with hit Paramount Network series Yellowstone. While Peacock owns the streaming rights to Taylor Sheridan’s, Yellowstone, Paramount+ will be the home to the prequel series, Y:1883, and spin-off, 6666, which will be available later this year.
Parker and Stone have always seen themselves as part independent filmmakers, part entrepreneurs. They worked directly with the internet early on, creating a website where fans could watch recent episodes of the show for free.
South Park has been on the air for the past 24 years, outlasting every other program on Comedy Central except The Daily Show. According to Bloomberg, Parker and Stone have maintained the quality of the series, at least in part, by sticking to a rigorous schedule. They only make between 6 to 10 episodes a year. As with everyone, the pandemic changed that schedule dramatically. Last year, the duo did not produce a full season, sticking to two South Park specials. However, that did make them think about some ideas for the future of South Park.
South Park
This vulgar animated series follows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.
“South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” is a must-see movie if you enjoy this series. It shows off the musical inclinations that would later lead the creators to make “The Book of Mormon.” You’ll also enjoy the behind-the-scenes documentary, “6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park.”