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South Park’s Next New Episode: 5 Crucial Release Dates And What’s Left Of The 14-Special Deal

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The question on every fan's mind right now is: "When is new South Park coming back?" As of December 2025, the show is officially on hiatus following a highly unconventional release schedule that saw two split seasons—Season 27 and Season 28—air back-to-back in the latter half of the year. The most recent new episode, the Season 28 finale, aired on December 10, 2025, meaning that for the moment, the boys from South Park, Colorado, have stepped away from the spotlight.

However, the good news is that the future of the series is secured for years to come thanks to a massive, multi-year deal between creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Paramount Global. While an exact premiere date for the next new episode has not been officially announced, we can pinpoint the most likely windows for the show's return, the next season, and the highly anticipated streaming specials.

The Complete South Park Release Schedule: 5 Key Dates and Windows

The days of a single, predictable, 10-episode South Park season are long gone. The show now operates on a dual-track system, balancing traditional short seasons on Comedy Central with extended "exclusive events" on Paramount+. This is what fans need to know about the upcoming schedule.

  • The Immediate Next New Episode: There is currently no confirmed date for the next new episode. Historically, the show has returned either in the late winter/early spring or, as seen recently, with a new batch of episodes in the summer/fall. Based on the creators' contract, new content is guaranteed to arrive in 2026.
  • Season 29 Premiere Window: Early to Mid-2026 (Likely)
    The 27th and 28th seasons were unusually short, comprising five episodes each. It is widely speculated that the next full batch of episodes will constitute Season 29, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2026. The $900 million contract guarantees at least 10 new episodes of the series sometime in 2026, which is the most concrete information available for the next season.
  • The Next Paramount+ Exclusive Special: TBD 2026
    The production schedule for the extended streaming specials is notoriously fluid. While the deal mandates 14 specials, with 7 already released, the next one is due. Previous specials like The Streaming Wars and Joining the Panderverse have dropped with little notice. Fans should watch the Paramount+ platform for an announcement, as the creators typically aim for two specials per calendar year, making 2026 a likely year for the next two installments.
  • The Guaranteed Long-Term Future: Through Season 30 (2027) and Beyond
    The current contract officially renews South Park on Comedy Central through its 30th season in 2027. Furthermore, the overall deal with Paramount Global extends the run of new episodes through 2029, ensuring the show will remain a staple of contemporary satire for years to come.
  • The 30th Anniversary Celebration: 2027
    Trey Parker and Matt Stone are reportedly saving the 30th season for 2027 to coincide with the show's 30th anniversary. This milestone season is expected to be a major event in the show's history, potentially featuring a full 10-episode order or a significant storyline arc.

The Paramount+ Specials: How Many Are Left?

In 2021, Trey Parker and Matt Stone signed a monumental, multi-year deal with ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) worth an estimated $900 million. A key component of this agreement was the production of 14 exclusive made-for-streaming "films" or extended specials for the Paramount+ platform.

These specials have proven to be a highly effective way for the creators to comment on major, rapidly-developing world events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the "streaming wars" phenomenon, and artificial intelligence.

List of Released Paramount+ Specials

As of the end of 2025, seven of the 14 contracted specials have been released, meaning seven more specials remain to be produced and aired before the end of the contract in 2027.

The released specials are:

  • South Park: Post COVID (November 25, 2021)
  • South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID (December 16, 2021)
  • South Park The Streaming Wars (June 1, 2022)
  • South Park The Streaming Wars Part 2 (July 13, 2022)
  • South Park: Joining the Panderverse (October 27, 2023)
  • South Park (Not Suitable for Children) (December 20, 2023)
  • South Park: The End of Obesity (May 24, 2024)

The next special will be the eighth in the series, and while no title or release date has been confirmed, it is expected to drop in 2026. The creators have a history of surprising fans with minimal advance notice, so subscribers should be ready for a sudden announcement.

The State of South Park’s Unconventional Season Structure

The most confusing aspect for many fans is the show's current season structure. Historically, a season consisted of 10 episodes, split into two 7-episode and 3-episode halves. However, the recent seasons have been much shorter and more sporadic, a shift that began during the pandemic.

The recent Season 27 and Season 28 releases exemplify this new model:

  • Season 27 (July - September 2025): This season premiered on July 23, 2025, but was abruptly cut short, airing only five episodes before being replaced on the schedule.
  • Season 28 (October - December 2025): This season kicked off on October 15, 2025, with the episode "Twisted Christian" and concluded with its finale on December 10, 2025, also consisting of a short run of episodes.

This fragmented approach allows Parker and Stone to maintain their signature rapid-response satire while also dedicating time to the longer, more cinematic Paramount+ specials. The next new season, Season 29, is the next guaranteed block of episodes, and fans are hoping it returns to a more traditional 10-episode format to fulfill the contract's yearly episode quota.

Topical Authority: The Trey Parker & Matt Stone Empire

The future of South Park is inextricably linked to the massive creative output of its creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Their deal with Paramount Global is not just about the animated series; it is a comprehensive partnership that secures their creative future for the better part of a decade. The deal is set to run through 2027 and includes the continued production of the main series, the 14 streaming specials, and funding for other projects.

The series remains one of the most culturally relevant and longest-running animated sitcoms in television history, known for its ability to produce episodes in under a week to ensure its commentary is as current as possible. Key entities and themes that are likely to be addressed in upcoming episodes and specials include:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Satire: Following the success of Joining the Panderverse, expect more commentary on AI's impact on Hollywood and daily life.
  • Current Political Climate: The show has never shied away from lampooning major political figures and events, which will continue to be a core focus.
  • The Streaming Wars: The ongoing saga of media consolidation and subscription fatigue is a recurring theme that will likely fuel future specials.
  • Social Media and Influencer Culture: The rapid evolution of platforms like TikTok and the rise of controversial influencers are ripe for the show's unique brand of satire.
  • The Metaverse and Web3: Although the hype has subsided, the integration of virtual reality and new technologies into everyday life remains a source of material.

In short, while the wait for the next episode after the Season 28 finale is on, the return of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny is not a question of *if*, but *when* in 2026. Fans can rest assured that new content—either a full season or a Paramount+ exclusive special—is contractually guaranteed to arrive.

South Park’s Next New Episode: 5 Crucial Release Dates and What’s Left of the 14-Special Deal
new south park when
new south park when

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