South Park Season 27: Controversy, Delays, and What to Expect

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Tony Marchese | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 5:12 PM ET

Hold onto your hats, South Park fans! The show is gearing up for its Season 27 premiere on July 23, 2025, on Comedy Central. Initially slated for a July 9 debut, the premiere has encountered a two-week delay, making this return all the more suspenseful. After more than two years since Season 26 aired in February 2023, fans are eager to welcome back the antics of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and the gang.

But don’t think it’s all smooth sailing, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone aren’t shy about expressing their frustrations. The delay stems from complications related to the upcoming Skydance-Paramount merger, which has caused quite a stir within South Park Digital Studios. In a candid statement, Parker and Stone remarked, "This merger is a sh*tshow and it’s f*cking up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes, and we hope the fans get to see them somehow." That’s some serious candor from the duo!

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— South Park (@SouthPark) July 2, 2025

As for streaming, Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global's executive, has indicated that next-day streaming will be available on Paramount+, though this deal is still up in the air. He shared during a recent earnings call in May, "Starting this July, [South Park] will be coming to Paramount+ in the US." However, the existing relationship with HBO Max complicates matters, leaving viewers uncertain about where they can binge-watch the new season.

In a significant production decision, Parker and Stone elected to skip covering the 2024 U.S. presidential election. "We’ve tried to do South Park through four or five presidential elections, and it is such a hard thing to — it's such a mind scramble," Stone explained. Parker echoed this sentiment, noting they didn’t feel they had more to add regarding the famously polarizing figure, President Donald Trump.

Season 27 also brings attention to several topical references, as highlighted in the recently released teaser trailer. The approximately 80-second teaser includes a wave of wild imagery, from airplane crashes to the Statue of Liberty being pulled down, and promises a storyline involving a "war with Canada." Fans can expect a return of the infamous French Canadian Mime, making it what some are calling the "second American-Canadian War." This narrative ties into speculative commentary on current U.S.-Canada relations and economic tensions.

Speaking of wild scenes, Randy Marsh is shown suggesting ketamine as a remedy to his daughter Shelley, saying, "I think it could really help you." And if that wasn't enough to pique interest, P. Diddy makes an appearance in full astronaut gear, joining the boys on what appears to be a space mission.

As we gear up for this exciting season, we can’t help but fall back on the show's legacy of sharp satire and commentary. South Park continues to prove it can capture the cultural zeitgeist while pushing boundaries and raising eyebrows.

So circle July 23 on your calendars, grab your popcorn, and prepare for a season filled with disruptively relevant humor, chaos, and of course, unforgettable moments from the citizens of South Park!

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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