When I attempted to catch up on my favourite crude-animated antics last week, I was met with a blank screen—and a message that read, “Available until 11:59 PM.” Suddenly, the irreverent satire of South Park vanished from every streaming service outside the United States. Here’s what’s behind this exclusive blackout.
Streaming License Expired, Leaving Fans in the Lurch
On the morning of July 14, viewers in Europe, Asia and beyond discovered that all 26 seasons of South Park had been quietly removed from platforms like Amazon Prime Video and MyCanal. Both services streamed the series through Paramount+, but the show’s licensing agreement for international distribution officially expired that day. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Global—which owns both Paramount+ and Comedy Central—is still deep in negotiations to renew those rights. Until a new deal is struck, non-U.S. subscribers will have to make do with behind-the-scenes specials and highlight reels that remain available on their local apps.
Industry insiders tell us the delay isn’t due to a lack of interest but rather a high-stakes discussion over fees and territory splits. As one streaming executive explained, “When a property as valuable as South Park is on the table, every dollar and every market share percentage is fiercely contested.”
Season 27 Postponed Amid Rights Dispute
Just days before the streaming pull-down, fans learned that Season 27—originally slated for release on July 9—would be pushed back two weeks to July 23. This postponement reportedly stems from a legal battle between series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Paramount Global. The duo has threatened litigation over what they describe as “interference” by Paramount’s president in their contract talks with Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix, per The Hollywood Reporter.
For die-hard South Park aficionados, this double-whammy—no new episodes and no back catalogue—has been a bitter pill to swallow. Still, the fierce loyalty of the show’s fanbase suggests that once the dust settles, enthusiasm will return in full force. After all, as any true fan knows, you can’t keep a good town down—especially one as delightfully outrageous as South Park.
