As the launches of multiple streaming platforms approach, there is an arms race in progress for content. With Netflix purchasing the global rights to Seinfeld, Comcast’s upcoming Peacock service picked up The Office, and HBO Max paying $500 million for Friends, older content is very much in play. Next up for a potentially huge deal is Comedy Central staple South Park.
South Park currently streams on Hulu, but the series is out for bidding as that deal is moving towards its expiration. According to sources speaking with Bloomberg, there are six companies currently bidding for the series and the numbers are said to be between $450 million to $500 million.
While South Park is still a current series, it has a catalog of over 20 years and 300 episodes. That’s a healthy amount of content, and it will have to land somewhere. With so many services set to launch, it’s not only a matter of stocking your own virtual shelves, but keeping that content from going to one of your competitors. Every series you don’t secure is like giving your competition another weapon to use against you.
The deal is said to possibly close as early as this weekend, and it’s going to be interesting to see who walks away the victor.
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