Recent off of the drama of asserting the cancellation of “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert,” Paramount International PARA PARAA may have one other controversy on its arms as the brand new “South Park” episode attracts criticism from the White Home.
PARA inventory’s momentum accelerates. Observe it now right here.
What Occurred: Paramount lately renewed hit animated comedy “South Park” for 5 extra years, paying $1.5 billion for 50 extra episodes and international streaming rights. The deal comes after Colbert’s present was canceled, citing it was a monetary determination.
To the critics of the Colbert determination, like Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who suppose the Colbert determination was political and Paramount is giving in to President Donald Trump, they might need to watch the brand new “South Park” episode.
Actually, Paramount executives might need to watch the most recent “South Park” episode after paying $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the president in opposition to the media firm over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
Colbert referred to as the settlement “an enormous fats bribe” and Warren has referred to the settlement as bribery in plain sight.
Paramount could also be within the doghouse with the president and White Home after the brand new season 27 premiere episode of “South Park.”
The episode featured a storyline during which Trump sues individuals who converse out in opposition to him, in line with a report from Selection. The episode options Jesus Christ coming to the fictional city of South Park to warn the residents that they might get cancelled if they do not cease protesting the president, even citing the “60 Minutes” episode for instance.
The episode additionally options Trump in mattress with Devil and several other references to the anatomy of the president.
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White Home Responds: Following the premiere of “South Park,” the White Home has responded.
“This present hasn’t been related for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired concepts in a determined try for consideration,” White Home spokesperson Taylor Rogers informed Selection.
Rogers stated “the Left” has gone after the offensive content material on South Park for years, however is now praising the animated comedy.
“Similar to the creators of ‘South Park,’ the Left has no genuine or authentic content material, which is why their reputation continues to hit document lows.”
The White Home spokesperson stated Trump has “delivered extra guarantees in six months than some other president in our nation’s historical past.”
“No fourth-rate present can derail President Trump’s sizzling streak.”
Why It is Vital: Over time, “South Park” is thought for controversy and tackling well-known subjects and upsetting parts of the inhabitants.
The present took on subjects like cryptocurrency, synthetic intelligence and weight-loss medicine. The present has by no means shied away from making enjoyable of celebrities, simply ask Matt Damon.
Present creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have been engaged on getting a brand new contract renewal as Paramount awaits FCC approval for its merger with Skydance Media.
Paramount signed a five-year, $1.5 billion contract with the present creators that features streaming rights. Previous to the deal, previous “South Park” episodes have been streamed on HBO Max as an alternative of Paramount+. This is because of Parker and Stone having management over the streaming rights.
Beneath the brand new deal, new episodes air on Comedy Central and stream on Paramount+ the following day. All previous seasons have been faraway from HBO Max and at the moment are on Paramount+.
With the FCC nonetheless needing to log off on the merger, this episode of “South Park” may set issues again as soon as once more, doubtlessly resulting in Trump calling for the deal to be rejected or for “South Park” to be cancelled.
The timing of Colbert’s present cancellation is questionable at finest, and Trump might have influenced the choice, as some have urged. Nevertheless, it is also possible that late-night speak exhibits are dropping their worth for media firms as a consequence of excessive manufacturing prices and decrease worth on streaming platforms.
Whereas individuals might binge-watch a whole season of “South Park,” it is a lot tougher to persuade a streamer to look at previous late-night episodes that characteristic previous information.
PARA Value Motion: Paramount inventory hit a brand new 52-week excessive of $13.30 on Thursday, with shares buying and selling at $13.23 on the time of writing.
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