Beloved TV series removed from Paramount+ due to legal threat

Paramount Network. Last month, the “South Park” cocreators threatened legal action against Jeff Shell, who will become the new Paramount president if the Skydance merger goes through.

Parker and Stone accused Shell of interfering in their contract negotiations with Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the duo claimed that Shell urged Netflix and WDB to amend terms of their “South Park” streaming rights offers “to benefit Paramount at the expense” of Parker and Stone’s company, Park Country.

A spokesperson for Skydance told the Hollywood Reporter at the time, “Under the terms of the transaction agreement, Skydance has the right to approve material contracts.”

The tension escalated when Comedy Central pushed back South Park’s season 27 premiere from July 9 to July 23. Parker and Stone expressed their frustration with the delay in a joint statement.

“This merger is a s–tshow and it’s f—ing up South Park,” they said. “We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.”

“South Park” premiered on Comedy Central in 1997 with Parker and Stone voicing the four main characters. The show has been nominated for 18 Emmy awards over the years and was renewed through season 30 in 2021.

For fans in the United States, “South Park” is still available to stream on HBO Max. If you’re looking to catch up on the iconic adult cartoon, that’s the place to go.