South Park gets a new boss as Paramount merges with Skydance

South Park’s future took a new turn on August 5, 2025, when Paramount Global and Skydance Media completed their $8 billion merger, creating the new Paramount Skydance Corporation. David Ellison, who led Skydance Media, became Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, and Jeff Shell, formerly with NBCUniversal, took on the role of President.

This merger reshaped how films, streaming services, and television networks are managed under one roof. The newly formed company now has three main branches: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. One of the most notable shifts affects the long-running animated series South Park.

While many scripted shows moved to the streaming arm led by Dana Goldberg and Matt Thunell, South Park stayed in the TV Media branch. That branch is now run by George Cheeks, who serves as Chair of TV Media. As South Park continues to air new episodes on Comedy Central before they appear on Paramount+, it remains grouped with broadcast and cable networks.

---

Paramount and Skydance have set up three main branches

After the Federal Communications Commission gave final approval in late July, the merged company reorganized into three clear areas of focus. The Studios branch handles movie releases and scripted television shows.

The Direct-to-Consumer branch manages subscription services, including Paramount+ and Pluto TV. The TV Media branch oversees all broadcast and cable networks such as CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET, and the production that feeds those channels. This structure aims to group similar businesses.

For example, all content designed for streaming is produced under the Direct-to-Consumer arm, while shows still on traditional TV channels are managed by TV Media. By organizing tasks this way, the company hopes to reduce overlap and focus expert teams on each area’s needs.

---

South Park production now reports to the TV media chair

Most newly ordered series moved to the streaming division, but South Park remained under TV Media leadership. The show is created by South Park Digital Studios, a partnership between Paramount and the series creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

New episodes premiere first on Comedy Central, which is part of TV Media, even though many viewers watch them later on Paramount+ under a five-year, $1.5 billion streaming deal. George Cheeks now oversees the production and broadcast of South Park alongside the development of other network shows. This setup keeps decision-making for the series close to the channel that airs it, aiming for smoother coordination between episode delivery and promotional efforts.

---

Creators have voiced frustration over the merger's impact

In early July 2025, Trey Parker and Matt Stone spoke out against the merger. They said the corporate changes delayed Season 27 by two weeks, moving its premiere from July 9 to July 23. The creators used strong language to call the merger a “s*it show” and warned they might take legal action.

They claimed some executives tried to limit talks with other streaming platforms in favor of Paramount+. Despite these public complaints, Parker and Stone did finalize a new overall deal with Paramount.

They agreed to produce more seasons and to grant Paramount+ exclusive streaming rights for five years. These arrangements suggest that while tensions exist, both sides recognize the value of the partnership for keeping South Park on air.

---

Timeline of key events leading to the merger

• July 7, 2024: Paramount and Skydance announce the merger plan, valued at $8 billion.
• Early 2025: The deal faced regulatory reviews and an optional extension window through October.
• Late July 2025: The FCC approved the merger after Paramount settled a dispute over a broadcast interview.
• August 4, 2025: Final leadership roles were confirmed ahead of the official closing.
• August 5, 2025: The merger officially closed, and the three-branch structure went into effect.

This sequence shows that the deal took more than a year from announcement to final approval. Regulatory checks, public statements by the series creators, and even legal settlements all played roles in the process.

---

What does it mean for South Park and its audience?

For fans, this new structure could bring smoother scheduling and clearer communication between the show’s production team and its network. With George Cheeks overseeing both the channel and the studio, episode rollouts may face fewer administrative delays.

---

In the months ahead, South Park will continue to air new episodes. The merged company’s focus on distinct branches may help both its streaming and broadcast businesses grow.

At the same time, South Park remains a key asset, balancing its legacy as a cable series with its success on streaming platforms. As Paramount Skydance settles into its new form, the series and its devoted audience will witness how this corporate change shapes the show’s future.