Netflix is hitting a rough patch with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after their recent trip to Colombia. Word has it that the streaming service won't renew its contract, which ends in 2025.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have faced criticism lately due to delays in their projects, and the issues with Spotify earlier this year haven't helped their situation either.
On August 22, 2024, TV journalist Dan Wootton told Express UK that a "Netflix hammer blow is coming" for Harry and Meghan. His comments match a report from Puck’s newsletter, which backs up rumors that Netflix probably won’t renew the five-year, $100 million (£76 million) deal they signed back in 2020.
Wootton stated in Express UK,
"After years of flops and non-deliveries, Netflix is fed up."
This news hit right after Harry and Meghan wrapped up a four-day trip to Colombia, which seemed to be a bit rocky due to their efforts to "control the narrative."
Netflix and Sussexes' rocky relationship hits new low per reports
After stepping down from their royal roles in 2020, Harry and Meghan landed a deal with Netflix to make exclusive content like documentaries and shows. Their first big hit was the docuseries Harry & Meghan, which came out in 2022.
Royal biographer Angela Levin mentioned during an interview with GB News on August 24, 2024, that Netflix isn't too keen on the lifestyle content Harry and Meghan pitched. She revealed that Meghan's cooking show and Harry's polo documentary are now pushed back until at least February 2025.
Levin then explained,
"Netflix is fed up and they’ve got lots of other things they can do. So I think they’re not going to renew the $100 million to keep them going."
Levin also mentioned that Harry and Meghan's trip to Colombia, where they aimed to raise awareness about online dangers for kids, might have caused issues. They didn't let cameras record sound during important parts of their appearances, which made it tough for Netflix to get the footage they wanted.
Financial concerns as deals fall apart
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a lot on their plate, and the potential end of their Netflix deal isn’t their only worry. Earlier this year, Spotify dropped their exclusive podcast deal. Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, pointed out in The Mirror that their charity, Archewell, could have a tough time without cash flow.
Fitzwilliams said,
"If they lost this contract, they might well be in financial trouble."
He mentioned that Archewell doesn't have a huge pool of donors, and their money has come from their royal life stories. With both their Netflix and Spotify projects struggling, people wonder if Prince Harry might ask King Charles for some financial help.
Levin mentioned this during her interview with GB News, pointing out that it could create clashes as Harry and Meghan adjust to life as media entrepreneurs after being royals. Netflix isn't saying much about their deal with the Sussexes, but one thing's for sure: the couple's path after leaving the royal family is still unclear.
Keep an eye on Soap Central for the latest on what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are up to with their media projects.
Reply
