‘Losing interest’: Major sign Netflix will axe Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid content strategy overhaul
Major changes at streaming giant Netflix could spell trouble for the future of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s $100 million content partnership amid rumours the deal will be axed next year.
Streaming giant Netflix is reportedly “losing interest” in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid growing speculation the Sussexes’ $100 million content partnership could be torn up.
The Sussexes inked a five-year deal with Netflix soon after “stepping back” from royal duties and moving to the United States in 2020.
The deal, made in partnership with Harry and Meghan’s Archewell production company, has produced projects like the Sussexes’ controversial docu-series slamming the monarchy.
Royal insider Richard Fitzwilliams believes the appetite for Harry and Meghan content has faded following the conclusion of Netflix’s long running the drama series The Crown.
The Sussexes in a scene from their Netflix docu-series. Picture: Netflix.
The controversial series, which broke streaming records and swept the annual Emmy awards, was an often-unflattering look at the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and her family and concluded after season six with the introduction of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s characters.
“(The Sussex deal) runs out next year and Netflix are no longer producing the series of The Crown, as they previously were. They might therefore have less interest in the Sussexes,” he told the Daily Mail on Thursday.
Despite Meghan and Harry’s waning popularity in the US and the embarrassing demise of their Spotify podcasting deal, Netflix has persevered with the former working royals and currently have two new Sussex programs in production.
The first is a Nigella Lawson-style cooking show helmed by the Duchess of Sussex while Harry is understood to be spearheading a Drive to Survive-style series on elite polo.
The streamer paid about $100 million to the couple for a five-year partnership. Picture by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU.
“Meghan’s programme for Netflix on cookery and entertaining and her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard and Harry’s series for Netflix on polo, show some much-needed activity (but) they clearly need more A-list endorsements,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.
Perhaps more concerning for the Sussexes, Netflix has recently brought in Dan Lin to handle the streamer’s film production division following viewer backlash to a number of big budget but poorly received original movies.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Mr Lin will aim to create “fewer, bigger, better” films and series for the giant at lower prices, which could be a death knell for the Sussexes at Netflix.
“Gone are the days when Netflix would fork over seemingly unlimited budgets,” the outlet warned.
