How do you guarantee that fans are invested in a series even before it launches? Well, one way to do it is by renewing the show for a second season ahead of its premiere. Paramount Plus' Halo isn't going to be here until March 24, but Paramount already believes in its potential so much so that it's picked it up for double the episodes.
Paramount confirmed the news in a press release, stating that David Wiener will be the showrunner and executive producer of Halo's second season. In the same investor event, ViacomCBS explained that it will rebrand as Paramount to focus more on streaming. By announcing the renewal this early, Showtime Networks CEO David Nevins explains that it is a reflection of the network's confidence "in the power of this epic series to attract and engage viewers."
Interestingly enough, the pick-up comes on the heels of a potentially massive lawsuit from Halo's original composers. According to Marty O'Donnel, the composers can effectively stop the show from ever airing by filing an injunction. But, with the renewal, it appears that 343 Industries, Paramount, and Microsoft, aren't concerned at all.
Fans have been asking for something like Paramount Plus' Halo for years. Now that it's here, it will be interesting to see how a live-action adaptation of Halo will do. If nothing else, announcing a season two renewal early will give skeptical viewers a reason to stick around for the long-term. After all, it wasn't too long ago that fellow streaming giant, Netflix, decided to cancel Cowboy Bebop right after its first season aired.