South Park has long been the irreverent comfort show for the masses, animated anarchy with just the right dose of cultural critique. Viewers turned to HBO Max for every foul-mouthed sermon from Eric Cartman, every panicked monologue from Kyle Broflovski, and every outrageous scene that somehow reflected reality a little too well. The library was vast, the access was easy, and everything felt stable. Until one day, it was not. Fans awoke to a homepage that had lost its foulest jewel.

What caused the sudden disappearance is not a glitch, it is something far more deliberate, and perhaps more strategic.

The long-standing presence of South Park on HBO Max came to a quiet halt following the expiration of the streaming rights agreement between Warner Bros. Discovery and the series’ creators in late June 2025. The contract, which had previously allowed HBO Max to house all 26 seasons, was not renewed. As a result, the animated franchise, known for its cultural irreverence and enduring popularity, disappeared from the platform, sparking widespread online confusion and speculation among its loyal fanbase.

On July 21, 2025, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone formalized a new five-year, $1.5 billion licensing deal with Paramount Global. The agreement grants Paramount+ exclusive streaming rights to the entire catalog, including future content such as the release of Season 27. Under this contract, the show will continue airing on Comedy Central while Park County, the duo’s production company, develops 50 new episodes. The shift marks a strategic consolidation for Paramount+, reinforcing its position in the competitive streaming ecosystem.

Ye and the Bizarre Fish Sticks Joke: Here’s the Wild Story Behind the Infamous ‘South Park’ Episode

The move concludes a drawn-out legal confrontation between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global over control of South Park's streaming future.

It all started back in 2019, when WarnerMedia secured streaming dominance over South Park through a high-profile deal exceeding $500 million, granting HBO Max exclusive access to 23 past seasons and new episodes within 24 hours of broadcast on Comedy Central. However, Paramount Global’s 2021 announcement of a $900 million content partnership with creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone disrupted the arrangement. The exclusive release of new specials on Paramount+ prompted Warner Bros. Discovery to allege breach of contract, igniting a legal battle.

The dispute escalated into full-blown litigation, with Warner Bros. Discovery accusing Paramount Global of violating contractual terms and confusing audiences through fragmented releases. Paramount filed counterclaims over unpaid fees, but later dropped them. Despite co-licensing talks, negotiations collapsed. On July 21, 2025, Parker and Stone signed a five-year, $1.5 billion global exclusivity deal with Paramount+, marking the end of South Park’s tenure on HBO Max and closing a long, bitter chapter in the streaming wars.

Is 'South Park' Coming to Netflix Following Paramount+ Exit? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Are you excited to watch the new episodes of South Park on Paramount? Let us know in the comments below!