Trey Parker and Matt Stone have reached a new deal with Comedy Central® to extend “South Park” by three seasons and 30 episodes, taking the longest-running primetime scripted series in cable though an unprecedented 23rd season and 304 episodes.
The deal for three additional seasons, announced today by Michele Ganeless, President, Comedy Central, ensures the Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series will continue to produce new, original episodes through 2019.
Parker and Stone will continue to write, direct and edit every episode of “South Park,” as they have since the premiere of the series in 1997. The 19th season of “South Park” premieres on Wednesday, September 16.
In a separate deal, South Park Digital Studios, a joint venture between Parker, Stone and Viacom, has extended its record-breaking deal with Hulu to cover all additional seasons and new episodes. Hulu is the exclusive streaming home of the entire “South Park” library of 18 seasons and 254 episodes and will also remain the SVOD home to all episodes from upcoming seasons.
“Nearly two decades later, ‘South Park’ today remains as important and influential as any series on any platform and has become one of the most recognizable brands to ever come out of television,” said Doug Herzog, President, Viacom Music & Entertainment Group. “Through South Park Digital Studios we will continue to aggressively expand the reach of the ‘South Park’ brand by pursuing additional extensions and licensing opportunities worldwide.”
“‘South Park’ remains the bedrock of Comedy Central and we are thrilled that new episodes will continue to entertain audiences for years to come,” said Ganeless. “The series remains as urgent and relevant now as the day it premiered and at nearly 20 seasons in it continues to draw generations of new fans.”
Said Parker and Stone: “We love working for Doug and with everyone at Comedy Central. They’ve given us an insane level of artistic and creative freedom for almost 20 years. They walk the walk.”
**Photo Credit: Comedy Central**