South Park creators secure $1.5 billion deal amid Paramount turmoil

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, have finalized a five-year, $1.5 billion streaming deal with Paramount+, solidifying their status as Hollywood’s highest-paid showrunners and elevating their net worth to an estimated $1.2 billion each. The agreement, recently announced, resolves a month-long standoff tied to Paramount’s acquisition by Skydance Media, which was officially approved by the FCC on Thursday.

The dispute began in early July when Comedy Central delayed South Park’s Season 27 premiere due to negotiations over streaming rights, prompting Parker and Stone to publicly criticize the merger as a »shit show.« The new deal guarantees the duo $250 million annually through 2030, including the revenue from 10 new episodes per year and global streaming rights. However, tensions flared during talks, with Park County, the creators’ production studio, threatening legal action over alleged interference by Skydance, Forbes reported on its site.

South Park remains a lucrative asset, with its 300+ episodes generating steady revenue through syndication and streaming. Parker and Stone’s business acumen has been key to their financial success: In 2007, they secured a 50 percent share of digital revenues »in perpetuity«, later capitalizing on streaming wars with deals from Hulu ($110 million) and HBO Max ($550 million). Their wholly owned Park County studio, funded through debt financing (including an $800 million credit line from Carlyle Group), has avoided outside investors, preserving their creative and financial control.

Despite the resolution, Paramount’s challenges persist. The Season 27 premiere mocked the company’s corporate struggles, reflecting Parker and Stone’s unfiltered approach. Analysts note the deal tests Skydance CEO David Ellison’s strategy to prioritize Paramount+ exclusives over licensing.

With South Park secured through 2030, the creators—now part of TV’s billionaire class alongside Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry – show no signs of softening their satire. When asked about Donald Trump’s criticism of the premiere, Parker dryly replied, »We’re terribly sorry.«

MK