Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, have signed a new agreement with ViacomCBS that will see the show renewed for six more seasons and 14 new movies.
The animated comedy has been one of Comedy Central‘s most popular and iconic series since its debut in 1997, receiving the greatest ratings of any basic cable programme in its early run and one of the network’s highest-rated in recent years times.
Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflosvki, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick, four young boys living in the titular Colorado town, and the misadventures that occur there are the focus of the series.
Since its inception, South Park has attracted praise and criticism for its satirization of different societal issues and its use of profanity and dark, surreal humour.
Its popularity has led to it being adapted for various mediums, such as the 1999 film South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, which was a critical and economic success and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “Blame Canada,” but lost to Tarzan’s “You’ll Be in My Heart.”
ViacomCBS has signed South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker to a new $900 million overall creative contract, following its immunization special becoming the series’ highest-rated episode in years.
The new arrangement includes a six-season renewal for Comedy Central’s show and 14 new original features that will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+.
Despite its various conflicts, South Park has become a cultural monument throughout its nearly 25-year existence on Comedy Central.
From season 23’s “Band in China” criticizing the titular country to season 9’s “Trapped in the Closet” mocking Scientology, the series has not shied away from skewering anybody and everything with its distinct brand of satire, much to the chagrin of some but much to the delight of the majority.
Though its foray into politically correct culture has split some old fans, the critical response has remained positive, indicating ViacomCBS’ big investment in South Park’s future to be a wise decision.
Furthermore, for those who hoped for another South Park picture following the humour of the 1999 effort, the announcement of 14 new films should be a thrilling pull.
Though these could be similar to the extended vaccine and pandemic specials that have been published in the last six months, it’s also possible that more feature-length adventures for the Colorado town are on the way.
In the meantime, viewers may catch up on the series on HBO Max while waiting for season 24 to be announced.