Comedy Central has ordered three more seasons of South Park, extending the Emmy-winning series through 2011.
In addition to the pact ordering at least 42 new South Park episodes, Comedy Central also announced that the network will launch South Park Digital Studios with creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
“Three more years of South Park will give us the opportunity to offend that many more people,” Stone says. “And since Trey and I are in charge of the digital side of South Park, we can offend people on their cell phones, game consoles, and computers too. It’s all very exciting for us.”
South Park Digital Studios will include the formation of a digital animation studio at the show’s Los Angeles headquarters as well as serving as a clearinghouse for the brand’s integration into all manner of non-television platforms. At the centerpiece of the company’s plans is a relaunched SouthParkStudios.com website, which will show off all of its new bells and whistles in early 2008.
Parker and Stone will develop new projects through South Park Digital Studios, with Comedy Central holding a first-look option on anything coming out of the deal.
The previous South Park deal at Comedy Central ran through 2008.
“This extension and the formation of the joint venture are the beginnings of a new era for South Park and Comedy Central and a natural evolution of our long-term and prosperous relationship with Trey and Matt,” says Doug Herzog, president of the MTV Networks’ Entertainment Group. “With the new partnership in South Park Digital Studios and the creation of the digital animation studio, we have a tremendous opportunity to truly maximize the potential of the franchise and the incredible creative talents of Matt and Trey across every imaginable platform.”
South Park airs on SBS