Why is South Park not on Paramount Plus?
In July 2025, Paramount+ abruptly removed all standard seasons of South Park from its platform, leaving only a handful of specials and the 1999 movie available for streaming. This move blindsided subscribers, with no prior warning or in-app announcement.
The official reason, shared quietly in replies to user complaints, was simple: “We no longer have the rights to stream the South Park series on Paramount+. The licensing window has ended and therefore the content was removed”.
But the story goes much deeper. The removal is the latest twist in a years-long battle over streaming rights involving Paramount Global (owner of Comedy Central), Warner Bros. Discovery (owner of HBO Max/Max), and the show’s creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
The situation was further complicated by the pending $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media, which has thrown all of Paramount’s content strategies into flux.
What’s Really Going On? The Streaming Rights War
HBO Max (now Max) previously held exclusive streaming rights to South Park in the U.S. under a $500 million deal, which expired in late June 2025.
Paramount+ was expected to become the new exclusive home for South Park in July 2025, but the deal fell through due to ongoing legal and financial disputes.
Skydance, set to acquire Paramount, reportedly balked at the high cost of South Park’s streaming rights, calling the price “too rich” and stalling the transition.
The show’s creators have gone public with their frustration, calling the merger “a shitshow” and blaming it for “f---ing up South Park.” They’ve even threatened legal action over alleged interference in negotiations with rival platforms like Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Where Can You Watch ‘South Park’ Now?
Here’s a breakdown of where you can currently stream or watch South Park, depending on your region and the episode:
| Platform | Availability (as of July 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max (formerly HBO Max) | All 26 seasons (U.S. only) | Streaming deal extended during negotiations. |
| Pluto TV | Select episodes, free (U.S. & some intl) | Linear channel, not on-demand; mostly older episodes. |
| South Park Studios | Select episodes, free | Some episodes unavailable due to bans or regional restrictions. |
| Amazon Prime Video | Pay-per-episode/season | Availability varies by country. |
| Apple TV | Pay-per-episode/season | Availability varies by country. |
| Comedy Central | New episodes (live TV) | Season 27 delayed; check local listings. |
| Hulu | Some seasons (U.S. only) | Not all episodes available. |
| NowTV (UK) | Select seasons | May be affected by licensing changes. |
| Physical Media | All episodes (DVD/Blu-ray) | Only way to watch “banned” episodes |
South Park Streaming Availability by Platform
| Region | Max (HBO Max) | Paramount+ | Pluto TV | South Park Studios | Prime Video | Hulu | Comedy Central |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| UK | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Canada | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Australia | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
What About the “Banned” Episodes?
Some episodes of South Park have been permanently pulled from all streaming platforms due to controversial content, including “Super Best Friends,” “Cartoon Wars” Parts 1 & 2, and “200”/“201.” These are only available on physical media or through unofficial sources.
FAQ
Question 1: Why did Paramount+ remove South Park?
Answer: Paramount+ lost the streaming rights to South Park after its licensing window ended in July 2025. The removal is tied to ongoing legal and financial disputes, as well as the pending Paramount-Skydance merger.
Question 2: Where can I watch all episodes of South Park now?
Answer: In the U.S., all 26 seasons are still available on Max (formerly HBO Max). Some specials remain on Paramount+, and select episodes are free on Pluto TV and South Park Studios. International options are limited due to licensing issues.
Question 3: When will South Park return to streaming?
Answer: The situation is in flux. Paramount and other companies are negotiating new deals, but no exclusive streaming home has been announced for the future
Disclaimer
The information presented about South Park's streaming availability and licensing status is based on publicly available reports, platform announcements, and industry coverage as of July 2025. Details regarding content removal, streaming rights, and merger impacts are subject to change based on ongoing negotiations between media companies, including Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Skydance Media. While this summary aims to reflect the most current information, availability may vary by region and platform and can shift without prior notice. For the most accurate updates, users should consult the official websites or social media channels of the streaming services involved.
