Why is South Park season 26 only six episodes? HITC explains.
When starting to watch a new show, it always feels like a gamble. Will you laugh or won’t you? On the other hand, there’s one old faithful to go back to that will get you every time, whether it’s an old episode or new. Of course, we can only be describing the US TV gem that is South Park.
Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the iconic Comedy Central sitcom premiered in 1997 and has remained a cornerstone of popular culture ever since, referenced and quoted endlessly, both online and in person.
From the trans bathroom clip to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, no subject or topic has escaped the show’s satirical treatment.
Fortunately, the fandom was treated to new episodes recently, with HBO Max rolling them out on streaming in the US and Paramount+ offering them in the UK. However, you may have noticed that the latest seemed to go as quickly as it came. So, why is South Park season 26 only six episodes?
Why is South Park season 26 only six episodes?
South Park season 26 is shorter because the co-creators previously signed a multi-million deal with Paramount that has them locked in to make not just more episodes but movies too.
In fact, the deal they signed in 2021 contracted them for six more seasons and a whopping 14 movies. With the obligation to make multiple movies, it’s no surprise to see that the episode count has been affected and we’ve already seen this take effect.
For example, season 25 also offered six episodes but it also delivered two specials.
Seasons 17 through 23 offered 10 installments each so if you’re factoring in the specials and their length when contemplating later seasons, then fans aren’t actually missing out on content. The presentation of the content has simply shifted.
After the six installments of season 25 aired, the first special followed roughly three months later. We anticipate a similar wait for forthcoming specials following the season 26 finale.
South Park fans react to episode count
A handful of South Park fans have already been vocal on Twitter about the brief run of episodes for season 26.
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Check out a selection of tweets:
‘It’s just embarrassing to watch’
The new seasons may have a shorter episode count but it’s safe to say that the show’s co-creator, Trey, is probably already more fond of them than the earliest seasons in the show’s history.
“If I had to permanently erase anything from the library, it would basically be anything before season 4,” he confessed during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“It’s just embarrassing to watch. OK, we were, like, 26, 27. But it’s like, ‘Really? We thought that was funny? We thought that was well-written? Oh my God, this is terrible.’”
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