User blog comment:Manic The Hedgehog/New Season Layout for Season 17/@comment-4381012-20130207015143

Seems pretty common sense to me, if you look at it from the economic perspective; the less episodes they have to worry about, the higher the quality of the episodes. With Stick of Truth, the future of The Book of Mormon, and the general future of South Park, in addition to developing their new studio, Matt and Trey have a lot on their plate. I would have been worried if they didn't cut back the number of episodes! We don't want the guys to suffer through burnout on us.

All and all, wise moves on their part. I'll patiently wait for their return in September.