Popular animated series South Park is experiencing its highest viewership in years, largely credited to recent episodes satirizing President Trump and Governor Kristi Noem.
The 27th season of the iconic animated series "South Park" on Comedy Central and Paramount+ has seen a surge in ratings for its second episode, with 6.2 million viewers across the first three days. This marks a significant increase of 49% compared to the ratings for the season premiere.
Season Overview
"South Park" Season 27, which premiered in 2024, offers a mix of standalone episodes and ongoing story arcs. Despite some fluctuations compared to its peak years, the show maintains a solid viewership and remains a culturally relevant and talked-about show. Episodes that feature political satire, particularly those referencing former President Donald Trump or his administration's legacy, tend to generate heightened attention.
Trump-related Satire
The show's portrayal of Trump remains polarizing. While fans and critics appreciate its biting commentary and willingness to lampoon powerful political figures without restraint, some viewers and critics argue that the satire can feel repetitive or heavily skewed, leading to debates over whether it punches down or unfairly caricatures specific political viewpoints.
Cultural Impact
"South Park" continues to serve as a cultural barometer, reflecting and critiquing American politics and social issues through comedy. The inclusion of Trump-related content helps keep the show current and relevant, even as political landscapes shift.
Other Noteworthy Events
During this season, "South Park" co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone took a break, allowing Comedy Central to air the very first "South Park" episode - 1997's "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe" - on Wednesday as part of a marathon for the series.
The new season launched amid tensions between Comedy Central's parent Paramount and the Trump White House. Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone recently secured a $1.5-billion five-year deal with Paramount for the streaming rights, which previously belonged to HBO Max.
The second episode of the season featured "South Park" regular Cartman becoming a conservative podcaster and sporting a hairstyle similar to that of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The episode also featured running gags with President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
It's worth noting that the second episode's viewership on Comedy Central was 1.56 million, making it the highest-rated episode since 2018, with nearly all viewers in the 18 to 49 age group coveted by advertisers.
The settlement of a lawsuit over President Trump's claim that "60 Minutes" deceptively edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to aid her in the 2024 election resulted in Paramount paying $16 million.
In other news, Late Show host Stephen Colbert was told that his program is being canceled at the end of the 2025-26 season due to financial losses.
For more detailed episode-specific reception or ratings numbers, I'd recommend checking the latest TV analytics reports or official Comedy Central announcements, as those provide the most up-to-date viewership data.
- In the 27th season of "South Park," an episode featuring Cartman as a conservative podcaster, whose hairstyle resembles that of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, saw a massive increase in ratings, marking a significant boost of 6.2 million viewers across the first three days.
- The season, which premiered in 2024, also depicts running gags with President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, reflecting the show's continued relevance in commenting on political landscapes.
- During this season, episodes that feature political satire, including those referencing Donald Trump or his administration's legacy, continue to generate heated discussions, as the show's portrayal of Trump remains polarizing among fans and critics alike.
- The entertainment industry has been shaken by several events, with the co-creators of "South Park," Trey Parker and Matt Stone, securing a $1.5-billion five-year deal with Paramount for streaming rights, while Stephen Colbert was told that his show, Late Show, will be canceled at the end of the 2025-26 season due to financial losses.
