"MAJOR progress in settlement talks": The future of South Park's streaming now appears to be in safe hands

Sayan
South Park (Image via Paramount+)
South Park (Image via Paramount+)

For weeks, South Park fans have been in limbo, waiting for Season 27 to arrive, as behind-the-scenes negotiations have caused a frustrating delay. Originally scheduled to debut on July 7, the new season was suddenly postponed, leaving many confused about the reason.

It wasn’t just a scheduling issue; this delay stemmed directly from unresolved contract talks between creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and the show's longtime distributor, Paramount. The deal, which reportedly could have tripled South Park’s income, hit a roadblock when Paramount’s planned merger with Skydance shifted the company’s priorities.

By the end of June, the creators were facing an expired agreement and no clear way forward. The studio risked losing one of its most valuable assets, and fans were on edge. Then, a major update arrived.

Puck journalist Matthew Belloni reported that Parker and Stone said,

“MAJOR progress in settlement talks,”

Providing the first real sign that the dispute might soon be resolved.


Why South Park’s new season was stalled over a merger and millions

The main reason behind South Park’s season 27 delay was a simple one: the contract between Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Paramount expired on June 30, 2025, and no new deal was finalized. What should have been a straightforward renewal became complicated when Paramount entered an $8 billion merger with Skydance.

Instead of completing the South Park deal, Paramount reportedly backed out under Skydance’s influence, even though the new agreement would have greatly increased revenue. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it could have tripled the creators’ earnings.

By mid-July, fans were left waiting for a July 7 premiere that never happened. Then, the first real update arrived when Puck’s Matthew Belloni posted on X about 'MAJOR progress."

That single line, including the all caps, gave fans hope that things were finally moving in the right direction. Although he clarified that the final terms weren’t settled yet, Belloni mentioned the agreement would probably be an extension of the previous deal, meaning no prolonged lawsuit, no new partner, and no sudden cancellation.

South-Park (Image via Paramount+)
South-Park (Image via Paramount+)

Until this point, Parker and Stone were in a standoff that risked delaying South Park indefinitely. With episode trailers already out and the writers ready to go, it became clear that the only thing holding it back was the paperwork.

Paramount needed this deal just as much as the creators did, especially with July 23 looming as the new planned premiere date. This wasn’t about creative differences or production delays. It was about two companies stalling over money while fans waited.

With both sides reportedly back on the same page, there’s now a realistic shot of season 27 launching before July ends. And if the deal sticks, the chaos behind the scenes could even show up in the next few episodes.


Follow for more updates.

Edited by Yesha Srivastava