Meghan Markle must be absolutely thrilled about this one: Netflix's latest figures reveal that her and Prince Harry's popularity has plummeted into the abyss.
Meanwhile, their former friends David and Victoria Beckham are basking in the spotlight, enjoying a grand display of public adoration. The Beckhams' documentary claimed the throne of global viewing with a staggering 43.9 million views between July and December last year. And what about Harry and Meghan's limited series Volumes 1 and 2, you ask? A pitiful 1.9 million views in the same period, amassing a total of 12.6 million for the year.
Back when it debuted in December 2022, the Sussexes' documentary series was Netflix's golden child, with a record-breaking 81.6 million hours viewed in the first four days. But the novelty wore off quickly as viewers abandoned ship, and the series sank faster than a lead balloon, barely limping to its sixth episode. Currently, their show languishes at the embarrassing position of 2011 on Netflix's global chart, while Beckham reigns supreme at number one with 28.5 million hours viewed in just two months.
One can't help but wonder if viewers were put off by Harry and Meghan's incessant "woe is me" rhetoric. It seems the world has grown tired of their privileged whining. On the other hand, the Beckhams' documentary was a delightful breath of fresh air, showcasing resilience, hard work, and family values. Viewers adored their down-to-earth nature and marveled at Beckham's grit and ambition. Clearly, the Beckhams are the couple everyone wants to root for, unlike a certain royal duo who seem to be left in the dust.
Rumor has it that Harry and Meghan might soon be waving goodbye to their $100 million Netflix deal, given the underwhelming performance of their projects. Their illustrious deal has only spawned two lackluster shows: "Heart of Invictus," which barely crawled to 300,000 views, and "Live to Lead," which garnered a meager 800,000 views. Impressive return on investment, wouldn't you say? For comparison, the Beckhams' 43.9 million views came at the bargain price of $20 million, the same amount as the ill-fated Spotify deal Harry and Meghan lost after producing a mere 12 episodes of Meghan's "Archetypes" podcast.
Bill Simmons, Spotify's head of podcast innovation and monetization, couldn't have put it better when he dubbed the couple "grifters" and lamented not being involved in the Meghan and Harry Spotify negotiation. "The Grifters" would have been quite the podcast. Now, whispers suggest the Sussexes' Netflix deal might meet a similar fate. Meghan's cooking and lifestyle show and Harry's polo documentary are being dismissed as mere padding. One might wonder what else they could possibly share now that their royal connections are frayed beyond repair.
Adding to their woes, their once-close friendship with the Beckhams has gone up in flames. The Beckhams, who attended the Sussexes' wedding and even opened their home to them in LA, are no longer on speaking terms with the royal couple. A phone call from Harry accusing David of leaking stories apparently ended that cozy relationship. To add a pinch of salt to the wound, David Beckham is now spending more quality time with King Charles III. The former footballer has been named the newest ambassador to the King's Foundation, and the two are now beekeeping buddies, swapping honey and tips like old friends. Isn't that just the sweetest thing?
