When will South Park Season 27 Episode 3 premiere? Here's all about the latest delay 

South Park (Image via Prime Video)
South Park (Image via Prime Video)

For fans following the latest season, there’s a new update on the wait. The show has taken another short break after bold episodes that sparked both controversy and strong viewer interest.

South Park Season 27 Episode 3 release date is now confirmed for Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on Comedy Central, with streaming access coming early the next morning, Thursday, August 21, at 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT) on Paramount+. This isn’t the first pause this season.

After the July 23 premiere of “Sermon on the ’Mount,” which satirized President Trump and attracted 5.9 million viewers across platforms; the second episode, “Got a Nut,” was released on August 6. It offered sharp political commentary, including a shocking scene involving ICE and the fictional shooting of Krypto the Super-dog, leading to headlines and a week-long delay.

This scheduled break also coincided with Comedy Central’s celebration of the show’s 28th anniversary on August 13, called “South Park Day,” with no new episodes planned.


Why does the gap fit into broader scheduling patterns?

South Park (Image via Prime Video)
South Park (Image via Prime Video)

Since the premiere on July 23 and the second episode, “Got a Nut,” on August 6, the pacing has been inconsistent. These delays weren’t random; they’re tied to strategic planning.

First, the show took time off after the Trump-satire premiere. Then, Comedy Central declared August 13 as “South Park Day,” airing classic episodes and behind-the-scenes content to mark the show’s 28th anniversary. So, instead of a new installment, fans got a marathon celebrating South Park’s past.


Why are the delays happening again?

South Park (Image via Prime Video)
South Park (Image via Prime Video)

This week’s break is also intentional. It follows strong reactions, especially to the second episode’s bold satire of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (“ICE Barbie”). Noem even called the show “lazy,” and critics pointed to behind-the-scenes clips that aimed to increase the impact.

Meanwhile, another major factor is the recent $1.5 billion streaming deal Trey Parker and Matt Stone signed with Paramount, which guarantees 50 new episodes over five years and brought all 26 previous seasons under Paramount+. The high-pressure, week-by-week production schedule sometimes causes the team to pause to give themselves more room to breathe.


What does this mean for South Park Season 27 fans waiting?

South Park (Image via Prime Video)
South Park (Image via Prime Video)

If you’ve seen the first two episodes, you know they featured heavy satire of President Trump in bed with Satan, critiques of ICE raids, and political figures like Kristi Noem and J.D. Vance.

The stronger-than-usual response to Episode 2 boosted ratings, with nearly 16% of all cable viewers tuning in, and 6.2 million viewers across platforms in just 3 days. With that level of reaction, the break might help build anticipation and give viewers time to digest the satire.


When and how to watch South Park season 27 episode 3?

  • Linear TV: Comedy Central on Wednesday, August 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
  • Streaming: Paramount+ on Thursday, August 21 at 6 a.m. ET / 3 a.m. PT
  • For live watching, services like fuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV also carry Comedy Central. Paramount+ offers next-day streaming via its Essential ($7.99/month) or Premium ($12.99/month) plans.

What to expect after South Park season 27 episode 3?

South Park (Image via Prime Video)
South Park (Image via Prime Video)
  • The current season will span 10 episodes, the most since 2019.
  • After South Park season 27 episode 3, if history is any guide, the show may continue with a weekly or bi-weekly pace until the season ends.
  • Given the bold satire and cultural reactions so far, the next installment could spark fresh discussion.

The short breaks are part of a deliberate strategy to balance production demands, fuel viewer interest, and celebrate milestones like the show’s 28th anniversary. The first two episodes set a bold tone, so many are anticipating what Episode 3 will bring.

Edited by Yesha Srivastava