Petition Calls on Paramount to Release All 17 Withheld South Park Episodes Without Censorship

A Change.org petition has resurfaced, urging Paramount to release all 17 South Park episodes that are reportedly being withheld from streaming platforms. The petition, titled “Paramount: Release All 17 Withheld South Park Episodes. No Censorship of Art,” has gained renewed attention amid discussions about the show’s full streaming rights reverting to Paramount+ in July 2025.

The controversy surrounding withheld South Park episodes is not new. Several episodes have been notably absent from streaming services for years, primarily due to their depictions or discussions involving the Prophet Muhammad. These include “Super Best Friends” (Season 5, Episode 3), and the “Cartoon Wars” two-parter (Season 10, Episodes 3 and 4), as well as the episodes “200” and “201” (Season 14, Episodes 5 and 6). These episodes have faced censorship and removal due to concerns about potential offense to certain religious groups.

However, the current petition and recent discussions suggest that the number of withheld episodes might be significantly larger. A list circulating online indicates that up to 17 episodes could be missing when South Park’s full library becomes exclusive to Paramount+ in the U.S. This expanded list reportedly includes episodes that touch upon themes of homosexuality and Jewish identity, such as “Big Gay Al’s Big Gay Boat Ride” (Season 1, Episode 4), which notably won a GLAAD Award.

The petition argues against the censorship of art and calls for Paramount to release all episodes in their uncensored form. Supporters believe that withholding these episodes sets a dangerous precedent and goes against the spirit of South Park’s often provocative and satirical nature. The petition’s description emphasizes the importance of free artistic expression, stating, “The same company that once said ‘we don’t censor historical art’ is now doing exactly that.”

While Paramount+ has not officially confirmed a list of withheld episodes for the U.S. market, the fact that these episodes are already unavailable on Paramount+ in other regions where the company has full streaming control lends credence to the concerns. Entertainment critics and fans alike are questioning whether Paramount+, as the ultimate home for South Park, will present the complete and uncensored history of the show.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between artistic freedom, corporate responsibility, and cultural sensitivity in the streaming age. As South Park prepares for its full migration to Paramount+, the outcome of this petition and Paramount’s decision on these 17 episodes will be a significant indicator of the platform’s content policy and its commitment to preserving the show’s controversial legacy. For fans who have long cherished South Park’s no-holds-barred approach to satire, the potential absence of these episodes raises questions about the integrity of the complete series on its new streaming home.