Fans of Special Ops were all geared up for the Season 2 premiere on July 11, only to be surprised by a last-minute delay. The new release date is now July 18, and while that sudden shift frustrated many loyal viewers, there’s a bigger story behind the scenes, and it’s all about the money.
Special Ops 2 has become the most sponsored show ever under JioHotstar’s Specials banner. With 14 major sponsors onboard, including Hyundai, Swiggy, Oppo, Asian Paints, and Sony Bravia and more. The delay wasn’t due to creative issues, but rather last-minute brand deals. The success of Criminal Justice Season 4, which recently became the most-watched Indian series post-COVID, has turned JioHotstar into the hottest platform for advertisers. Everyone wants in, and that means more negotiations, more visibility, and ultimately, more money.
This is important for the OTT platforms to gain more profits, especially at times when the growth has plummeted.
Sure, the delay wasn’t ideal for fans. But the extra week might just mean a bigger, more polished release with a stronger signal that premium Indian content is finally getting the spotlight (and budgets) it deserves.
So hang tight. July 18 is just around the corner.