The last episode of the season alluded to South Park being finished… I just read that South Park is being renewed!
http://www.aoltv.com/2011/07/20/south-park-renewed-through-2013-season-15-returns-in-october/
They must have been negotiating their contracts. The creators were screwed by Comedy Central very early on, and when they threatened to leave once, the network gave them some well-earned money. The show has been known before as being a vehicle for the creators to air their issues, and I guess this was another attempt at getting something done.
Thank you, Comedy Central, and I look forward to the new season!