Thread by @thefernandocz

South Park's creators just started the biggest bidding war in TV history.

Paramount and HBO were ready to bankrupt themselves for ownership of the hit show.

But when the deal hit $1.5 BILLION…

These guys pulled off a move no creator had ever dared.

Here's the full story 🧵

For over 25 years, South Park dominated late-night comedy.

The show built Comedy Central into a powerhouse.

Generated billions in revenue.

Created a global fanbase that spans generations.

But in 2019, something happened that would change everything...

Paramount made a critical mistake.

They licensed South Park to rival HBO Max.

Their own streaming service wasn't ready yet.

Now their biggest asset was making money for a competitor.

That's when the real drama began:

When the HBO Max deal expired in June 2025, streaming giants went to war.

Paramount desperately wanted their crown jewel back.

HBO Max fought to keep their cash cow.

Netflix started making aggressive moves.

The bidding war was about to get ugly...

Offers escalated rapidly.

At one point, a 10-year deal was pitched for $3 billion.

$300 million per year — 10x what most hit shows earn.

But Trey Parker and Matt Stone weren't satisfied:

The creators watched as executives fought over their baby.

Skydance was buying Paramount and started meddling.

They wanted shorter deals. Lower prices. More control.

That's when Parker and Stone did something unprecedented...

They hired the most aggressive lawyers in Hollywood.

Stuart Liner and Bryan Freedman prepared a nuclear option:

Sue both Paramount and Skydance.

Publicly shame them for sabotaging negotiations.

The message was clear: respect us or lose everything.

The power move worked. Executives panicked.

They delayed South Park's season 27 premiere.

Comic-Con was days away. Parker and Stone would have a global stage to air grievances.

Suddenly, everyone wanted to make a deal:

But the creators weren't done flexing.

They demanded something no TV creators had achieved:

Not just money. Not just episodes.

They wanted nearly 50% of all streaming revenue through their joint venture.

The final deal was mind-blowing:

• $1.5 billion over 5 years
• $300 million annually
• 50 new episodes
• Global streaming rights
• Revenue share that could double their take

The lesson?

Here's why this matters for every founder:

Parker and Stone didn't just negotiate harder.

They understood their irreplaceable value.

They refused to compromise their vision.

They turned creative work into generational wealth.

Most creators accept whatever studios offer.

Parker and Stone threatened to walk away entirely.

They used public pressure as leverage.

They demanded partnership, not just payment.

The result? One of the richest TV deals in history.

The lesson is clear:

Your unique creation is your leverage.

Your authenticity is your security.

When you build something valuable and stand firm on its worth,
you control the game.

This is the power of irreplaceable value.

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Thanks for reading!

A bit about me:

2 years ago, I co-founded @ThoughtleadrX — a premium personal branding agency for world-class founders & executives looking to 10x reach + revenue through social media.

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Video Credits:

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