South Park leaves HBO Max as streaming rights shift to Paramount+
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Aug 06, 2025, 23:13 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
Highlight of the story: South Park has left HBO Max on August 5, 2025, after the licensing agreement ended, now exclusively streaming on Paramount+. Paramount Global reclaimed the rights to bolster its platform, where fans can stream all 26 seasons and new episodes. This shift reflects the industry trend of content fragmentation as media companies prioritize their own streaming services.
In a significant shake-up for animated television fans, South Park has officially departed from HBO Max following the end of a long-standing licensing agreement between WarnerMedia and Paramount Global. As of August 5, 2025, all 26 seasons of the satirical series were quietly removed from HBO Max and are now available exclusively on Paramount+.
The move marks the latest example of a broader trend in the streaming industry, where major studios are reclaiming content to strengthen their own platforms. Paramount Global, which originally produced South Park, had announced plans as early as 2022 to regain full control of the franchise’s streaming rights. That plan has now come to fruition, shifting one of the most iconic adult animated series to a new digital home.
Fans looking to catch up on past episodes or follow the ongoing 27th season can now do so on Paramount+. New episodes continue to premiere weekly on Comedy Central every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with each installment added to the streaming platform the following morning by 6 a.m. ET.
Paramount+ offers two subscription plans: the Essential plan at $7.99 per month, which includes ads, and a Premium plan at $12.99 per month that removes ads and includes Showtime content as well as live access to CBS. A seven-day free trial is also available for new users.
In addition to Paramount+, several other streaming services offer access to South Park episodes through live TV or on-demand features. These include fuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most of these platforms provide free trials, allowing viewers to explore their options before committing to a subscription.
The shift underscores a growing trend in the entertainment industry, where content fragmentation is becoming the new norm. Media companies are increasingly pulling their most valuable franchises from third-party platforms in order to boost their own streaming ecosystems. For HBO Max, the departure of South Park represents another loss in its evolving content strategy. For Paramount+, it strengthens an already expanding roster that includes other major titles such as Yellowstone and Star Trek.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, are also under contract with Paramount to produce additional content, including exclusive specials and movies for the platform. This agreement ensures that Paramount+ will be the central hub for all future South Park material for the foreseeable future.
International streaming availability may vary depending on local licensing deals. In countries such as India, episodes may still air on Comedy Central or be accessible through regional platforms. However, Paramount+ is gradually expanding its global reach, which may affect availability in the coming months.
With the removal from HBO Max now official, South Park fans must adjust to a new streaming reality. Whether revisiting iconic episodes or catching the latest social and political satire, viewers will need to turn to Paramount+ to continue following the series.
The move marks the latest example of a broader trend in the streaming industry, where major studios are reclaiming content to strengthen their own platforms. Paramount Global, which originally produced South Park, had announced plans as early as 2022 to regain full control of the franchise’s streaming rights. That plan has now come to fruition, shifting one of the most iconic adult animated series to a new digital home.
Fans looking to catch up on past episodes or follow the ongoing 27th season can now do so on Paramount+. New episodes continue to premiere weekly on Comedy Central every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with each installment added to the streaming platform the following morning by 6 a.m. ET.
Paramount+ offers two subscription plans: the Essential plan at $7.99 per month, which includes ads, and a Premium plan at $12.99 per month that removes ads and includes Showtime content as well as live access to CBS. A seven-day free trial is also available for new users.
In addition to Paramount+, several other streaming services offer access to South Park episodes through live TV or on-demand features. These include fuboTV, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most of these platforms provide free trials, allowing viewers to explore their options before committing to a subscription.
The shift underscores a growing trend in the entertainment industry, where content fragmentation is becoming the new norm. Media companies are increasingly pulling their most valuable franchises from third-party platforms in order to boost their own streaming ecosystems. For HBO Max, the departure of South Park represents another loss in its evolving content strategy. For Paramount+, it strengthens an already expanding roster that includes other major titles such as Yellowstone and Star Trek.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, are also under contract with Paramount to produce additional content, including exclusive specials and movies for the platform. This agreement ensures that Paramount+ will be the central hub for all future South Park material for the foreseeable future.
International streaming availability may vary depending on local licensing deals. In countries such as India, episodes may still air on Comedy Central or be accessible through regional platforms. However, Paramount+ is gradually expanding its global reach, which may affect availability in the coming months.
With the removal from HBO Max now official, South Park fans must adjust to a new streaming reality. Whether revisiting iconic episodes or catching the latest social and political satire, viewers will need to turn to Paramount+ to continue following the series.