Trey Parker and Matt Stone create the stop-motion short later known as "Jesus vs. Frosty", an early prototype of the style and sensibility that would lead to South Park.
The duo produces the second short, later known as "Jesus vs. Santa". Its wider circulation helped spark industry interest that culminated in a TV series order.
South Park premieres with "Cartman Gets an Anal Probe", establishing the show’s core characters and launching what would become one of cable’s longest-running animated series.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is released in U.S. theaters, expanding the franchise beyond television and becoming a major pop-culture milestone for adult animation.
The Season 5 premiere "It Hits the Fan" becomes notable for its plot centered on the uncensored use of a major swear word on television, reflecting the show’s ongoing battles with broadcast standards.
The episode "Trapped in the Closet" airs, satirizing Scientology and triggering significant public attention for its depiction of celebrity and religion, emblematic of the show’s controversy-driven cultural impact.
"Cartoon Wars Part I" airs, launching a censorship-focused storyline tied to depictions of Muhammad in animation and debates about free expression and broadcast constraints.
The official site SouthParkStudios.com makes full episodes broadly available online, an early, high-profile move toward ad-supported web distribution for a major TV franchise.
The landmark episode "200" airs as the series’ 200th installment, designed as a meta-crossover of prior storylines and controversies.
"Band in China" airs, satirizing entertainment-industry self-censorship to access the Chinese market; it drew major press attention amid reports of the show being scrubbed from Chinese platforms.
WarnerMedia announces a deal for exclusive U.S. streaming rights to South Park on HBO Max beginning in June 2020, marking a major shift in how audiences would access the back catalog.
The first Paramount+ exclusive event special, "South Park: Post COVID", premieres—formalizing the franchise’s streaming-special format alongside ongoing TV seasons.
The second Paramount+ event, "South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID", premieres as a direct continuation of the prior special’s storyline.
"South Park: The Streaming Wars" debuts on Paramount+, using the special format to satirize platform competition and the media business itself.
"South Park: The Streaming Wars Part 2" releases on Paramount+, concluding the story begun in the June 2022 special.
The Paramount+ special "South Park: Joining the Panderverse" premieres, continuing the franchise’s event-special cadence and extending its culture-war satire into the streaming era.
"South Park (Not Suitable for Children)" premieres on Paramount+, centering its satire on creator-economy platforms and influencer culture.
After the HBO Max streaming window concludes in 2025, the series’ U.S. streaming availability consolidates on Paramount+ under a new exclusive arrangement.
Season 28 begins with "Twisted Christian", continuing the show’s late-stage run while reflecting ongoing shifts in episode rollouts and franchise structure.
South Park (1997–present)
