South Park Exits HBO Max: Paramount+ Secures Exclusive Streaming Rights

For over 25 years, South Park’s foul-mouthed fourth graders have been a cultural lightning rod, but their latest move has shocked streaming subscribers. As of July 24, 2025, all 26 seasons vanished from HBO Max without warning—a disruption tied to a bitter corporate clash and a historic $1.5 billion deal sealing the show’s future exclusively with Paramount+.

Why Did South Park Leave HBO Max?

The abrupt removal stems from a high-stakes battle between entertainment titans. In 2019, Warner Bros. Discovery secured U.S. streaming rights to South Park through Season 26 via a licensing deal. However, Paramount Global—parent company of Comedy Central, the show’s original broadcaster—struck back in 2021 by commissioning exclusive South Park films for its fledgling Paramount+ service. This ignited legal warfare: Warner sued Paramount for breach of contract in 2023, alleging it “diverted viewers” from HBO Max. Paramount countersued, accusing Warner of delayed licensing payments (court filings, Variety, 2023).

The conflict escalated during Paramount’s acquisition by Skydance Media, finalized August 7, 2025. Mere hours before South Park Season 27’s premiere, creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone finalized a five-year exclusivity pact with Paramount. This $1.5 billion agreement mandates that new episodes debut on Paramount+ one day after Comedy Central airings—leaving HBO Max’s rights expired and unrenewed.

How Are Fans Reacting to the Shift?

Longtime viewers expressed frustration across social platforms. “Welp, there’s only a few options now: get Paramount+, buy Blu-rays, or go arrrggg,” lamented one Reddit user. Others cheekily anticipate the creators’ trademark meta-commentary. “Imagine the balls if they did an episode playfully teaching piracy,” suggested a fan, referencing Parker and Stone’s history of self-referential satire.

Physical media sales are surging, with retailers like Amazon reporting increased South Park box-set purchases. Yet Paramount+ faces pressure to improve its platform; users routinely criticize its interface and stability compared to HBO Max’s polish (Consumer Reports, 2025).

The streaming migration underscores a harsh reality: corporate battles increasingly dictate viewing access. For uninterrupted South Park, Paramount+ is now mandatory—subscribe or dust off your DVD player.

Must Know

Why was South Park removed from HBO Max?
Warner Bros. Discovery’s licensing agreement expired July 24, 2025. Paramount secured exclusive rights under a new $1.5 billion deal, moving all content to Paramount+. Ongoing litigation between the companies complicated renewal talks.

Where can I watch new South Park episodes?
New Season 27 episodes stream exclusively on Paramount+ one day after Comedy Central broadcasts. All previous seasons are also available on Paramount+.

Will South Park return to HBO Max?
Industry analysts deem it unlikely. Paramount’s contract runs through 2030, and the merger with Skydance solidifies its control (Deadline, August 2025).

Are the Paramount+ South Park films included?
Yes. The service houses all specials (like South Park: Post Covid) alongside the main series.

How can I watch without Paramount+?
Options include purchasing episodes via Amazon Prime Video, collecting physical media, or tuning into Comedy Central broadcasts.

What’s next for Season 27?
Episodes will continue parodying current events weekly. Recent installments tackled cryptocurrency crashes and AI ethics.