While everyone prepares tore-experience the story of the Dutton family this Labor Day weekendwith the upcomingYellowstonemarathon, the mega-hit Western has officially been surpassed on streaming.South Park, the rude, crude, long-running adult animated comedy series fromTrey ParkerandMatt Stone, has been surging in popularity on Paramount+’s global charts for some time and currently stands as the platform’s top series for the time being. It’s another show of the enduring global love for the wacky characters present in Colorado’s sleepy little mountain town, as the show currently ranks as the streamer’s most popular series in six countries while landing in the top three in many more.
Premiering in 1997,South Parkhas aired for a staggering 26 seasons with six specials in that time, ten video games, and a beloved movie thatrecently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The series has managed to stay relevant over that time throughevolving social satireportrayed in often ridiculous and hilarious ways in the misadventures of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny. Despite the sheer absurdity of the events that the boys and their town navigate through, from aliens toeccentric celebrity parodies, and even Cthulhu, it also has an air of authenticity as it takes inspiration from Parker and Stone’s life and friendship. Throughout its run, the show has scored five Emmys and earned plenty of critical acclaim, as reflected by a strong80% Rotten Tomatoes scoreoverall.
Paramount+ will continue to reap the benefits of working with Parker and Stone for some time too. In 2021,then-ViacomCBS Inc.inked a $900 million megadeal to lock down their servicesfor 14 newSouth Parkspecials through 2027 and secured the show for six more seasons on Comedy Central. Starting in 2025, when Max’s existing deal with the creators runs out, Paramount+ isalso set to become the exclusive streaming home for all episodeswhich could draw even more eyes to the platform.
What’s Next for ‘South Park’?
South Parkaired its 26th season in early 2023, followed by the multiversal parodyJoining the Panderversein Octoberand its second part,Not Suitable for Childrenin December to close out the year. Although a date isn’t set for Season 27, Parker and Stone haven’t left viewers completely high and dry in 2024 as they did release the latest tie-in video game,South Park: Snow Day, back in March and the seventh special,The End of Obesity, which tackled the Ozempic craze in May. It’swidely expected that the new season will arrive by the end of this year too, assuming the schedule stays relatively consistent.
As forYellowstone, all eyes are set onthe Labor Day marathon beginning tonight at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ETon the Paramount Network and thesecond half of Season 5 on November 10. The long-awaited end to the Dutton saga is set to be an explosive one asKevin Costnerofficially bows out as John Duttonandthe family faces new threats from all sides. Although everything seems to be coming to a head forTaylor Sheridan’s flagship, it also might not be the end after all as recent reports indicate that Paramountis considering extending the show into Season 6without Costner but withKelly ReillyandCole Hauserstill in the fold.
TheSouth Parkspecials andYellowstoneare available to stream on Paramount+, though you’ll have to head to Max for now in the U.S. to catch all episodes of Parker and Stone’s series. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the hottest streaming shows.
South Park
Follows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.
Watch on Paramount+
