Creators of South Park signed a massive renewal deal with ViacomCBS that will have the show on its Comedy Central linear through 2027 along with bringing you 14 original movies via Paramount+.
South Park first started airing in 1997 on Comedy Central. As the cable’s longest-running scripted series, it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. The deal lists out that come 2027, the show will have expanded to its 30th season, a historic moment for all involved.
Here’s what co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone had to say in the official statement.
“Comedy Central has been our home for 25 years and we’re really happy that they’ve made a commitment to us for the next 75 years.
When we came to ViacomCBS with a different way to produce the show during the pandemic, Chris (McCarthy), Nina (Diaz), Keyes (Hill-Edgar) and Tanya (Giles) were immediately supportive and enabled us to try something new that turned out to be really well received.
We can’t wait to get back to doing traditional South Park episodes but now we can also try out new formats. It’s great to have partners who will always take a chance with us.”
Trey Parker and Matt Stone
The statement did not mention the deal’s monetary terms, but Bloomberg has given it a ballpark figure of 900 million USD. This deal, which will carry into the coming six years, will make it one of cable’s biggest pay-offs.
Besides more seasons of the TV show, the creators will also be working on South Park spin-off movies exclusively for Paramount+.
The last South Park movie was made in 1999 and while the creators did not feel the need to make another one, the pandemic has given reason to change the franchise’s dynamics.
In 2020, South Park could not go through with its usual six to ten-episode season.
Instead, the creators experimented with Specials—“The Pandemic Special” and “South ParQ Vaccination Special”. The first ended up being nominated for the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program and both raked up extremely high viewership.
The special’s success, as well as ViacomCBS’ own commitment to its streamer Paramount+, will ensure more of South Park‘s long-form features to come. Notably, two original South Park films are slated for 2021 itself.
About South Park
South Park is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone and developed by Brian Graden for Comedy Central. South Park has received many accolades including five Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. It is currently in its 24th season.
Intended for mature audiences, the show has become infamous for its crude language and dark, surreal humor that lampoons a wide range of topics. The story revolves around four boys—Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick—and their bizarre adventures in and around the eponymous Colorado town.
Source: South Park Studios
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