Analyzing the viewership data for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix venture reveals a clear rationale behind the investment.
Imagine being in the shoes of Ted Sarandos, the head of Netflix, who faced significant criticism at the Golden Globe Awards for investing heavily in two individuals perceived as failing to deliver substantial content. The reasoning becomes quite understandable.
Netflix has seen numerous successful ventures that didn't require excessive attention or elaborate production demands to elicit a semblance of performance. Now, we are supposed to anticipate polo matches and cooking escapades with Meghan, but does anyone really care? Meghan's motives are well-known, and she has been exposed. Despite this, Netflix is desperate for a hit, which underscores the issue. Ted seems quite despondent now.
This despondency stems from the success of one of Netflix's major hits, "The Crown," particularly its early episodes that received widespread praise. However, the later installments, with their fanciful portrayals, left audiences scoffing, reminiscent of the infamous Bobby Ewing twist from "Dallas"—utter absurdity. Nevertheless, according to Neil Sean, Meghan Markle understands Netflix's need for content similar to "The Crown." Historical dramas, like those revolving around Queen Victoria and Albert, Wallace Simpson and the abdication of King Edward VIII, and even modern romances such as Princess Margaret's saga, are highly sought after by network executives.
An insider who briefly collaborated with Meghan during her Netflix tenure revealed that she and Harry avidly watched "The Crown," often debating its accuracy. Interestingly, Ted Sarandos confirmed Meghan's fervent fandom for the series. Recall their Oprah interview where they enthusiastically endorsed the show, claiming to be avid followers. It's all part of the process of gauging audience interests and understanding the narrative dynamics that captivate them.
Ted has evidently conveyed to Meghan the necessity for content akin to "The Crown." Allegedly, Meghan isn't opposed to serving as an advisor or producer for such projects, especially now that she has distanced herself from the British monarchy and her popularity in the UK is at an all-time low. With little to lose, if she and Harry still seek financial stability, what better way than to capitalize on his family's legacy? She grasps its value, and so does he. It's the only viable path forward. Ted may find solace in the fact that these ex-royals are more than willing to continue tarnishing the image of the beloved British monarchy for the sake of entertainment. Funny how things unfold, isn't it?
There is growing speculation about Netflix potentially ending or scaling back their partnership with Harry and Meghan when the contract expires in 2025. The Daily Star, citing Gemma Jones, reports that the couple's venture faces the possibility of Netflix terminating their agreement prematurely. Initially thought to be a five-year deal valued at $100 million, sources now suggest its continuation is uncertain. The streaming giant allegedly deems the collaboration disappointing and may opt not to extend it. Despite working on three projects—the documentary series "Heart of Invictus" and "Live to Lead"—the couple's contributions reportedly generated a mere $16 million in revenue for Netflix.
Allison Boshoff, writing for Mail Online, asserts that insiders have labeled the Netflix deal a failure. Sources indicate Netflix's inclination to dissolve or reduce the agreement at the earliest opportunity. Boshoff emphasizes that these revelations stem from well-informed sources suggesting widespread dissatisfaction with the collaboration. It's not surprising, after all. Harry and Meghan reportedly pocketed between $6 to $20 million from the deal, far from the anticipated windfall. Moreover, there's speculation that the couple's production company, Archewell Productions, has faltered, with key staff departures and internal turmoil undermining its effectiveness. Netflix purportedly laments investing substantial sums into a venture plagued by instability and lacking tangible results.
