South Park’s Streaming Future on Paramount Plus: Potential Censorship Sparks Fan Rush for Physical Media
Get ready, South Park fans! There’s been a major development in the show’s streaming saga. After years of fighting for streaming rights, marked by “shenanigans” and even a $200 million lawsuit that’s been developing over five years, South Park is finally set to make Paramount Plus its new streaming home. We know Paramount Plus has been eager for South Park content for a long time, especially since Warner Brothers held exclusive streaming rights through the end of June 2025. That deal apparently had numerous “loopholes”, allowing for Paramount Plus specials, but now, as those terms expire, the entire series is slated to arrive on Paramount Plus on July 1st. I’m genuinely excited, as I’ve missed many of the recent special events because I wasn’t sure where to find them.
Adding to the anticipation, a brand new Season 27 of South Park is expected to debut just 10 days after the move. This timing is interesting, especially considering prior complaints in the lawsuit suggesting Paramount shifted to six-episode seasons while on the hook for HBO Max, down from 10-episode seasons before. A recent teaser confirmed the new season will touch on real-world issues like airplanes, conflict with Canada, and Diddy.
However, this move isn’t without controversy. Rumors are circulating that a significant number of South Park episodes may not make the jump to Paramount Plus. This speculation intensified following a viral post from a TV critic who claimed that up to 15 episodes could be censored or banned from the streaming platform. While some episodes, like the infamous “200” and “201” specials and “Super Best Friends,” have been unavailable for broadcast and online streaming for years, many of the other reported potential removals were unexpected.
The list of episodes reportedly facing bans includes:
- Big Gay Al’s Boat Ride (Season 1, Episode 4)
- Terrence and Philip is Not Without My Anus (Season 2, Episode 1)
- Pip (Great Expectations) (Season 4, Episode 14)
- Super Best Friends (Season 5, Episode 3)
- Jared has AIDS (Season 6)
- Simpsons Did It (Season 6)
- Cancelled (Season 7)
- Passion of the Jew (Season 8)
- You Got F’d in the A (Season 8)
- Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow
- Trapped in the Closet
- Cartoon Wars 1 and 2
- 200
- 201
- Ginger Cow
The critic suggested some of these removals were understandable but felt others shouldn’t be banned, speculating that Paramount might be concerned about certain groups. As of now, Paramount Plus has not made any official statement regarding these rumored cuts.
This uncertainty has led to a noticeable reaction from the fanbase. Fans are rushing to secure physical copies of the show, buying DVD and Blu-ray box sets. This scramble highlights a growing concern about digital ownership. We’ve seen this before, like when Joe Rogan had many of his episodes taken down. The availability of older versions on physical media is becoming increasingly valuable. I noticed South Park DVDs are “flying off the shelves” on eBay, and fans online are confirming the reportedly banned episodes are indeed present on physical releases. The sentiment among fans is that owning the “Good South Park” episodes on physical media before streaming platforms cause a “mess” is a worthwhile investment.
This isn’t just about TV shows; it points to a larger issue in the digital landscape. With modern video games, you often don’t truly own the content you purchase. I personally experienced this with Magic the Gathering Online, where my thousands of dollars’ worth of collection was taken away after I was banned. While PayPal helped me recover some funds because I had bought the product, companies are increasingly wording their terms of service to prevent true ownership. It’s even concerning with hardware. I recently saw a video discussing how Nintendo reportedly reserves the right to “brick” your Switch console for “unauthorized use”. This means the physical hardware you bought could be rendered permanently unusable based on their terms. It truly feels like a “spooky time out there” when you might not even own the hardware you purchase.
While we await official word on the South Park episode availability, the rush for physical media is a clear indicator of fan concern and the perceived value of true ownership in a rapidly changing digital world.
