Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been downgraded to a first-look deal with Netflix. The streaming giant appears to be saving face.
The New Arrangement Allows Netflix To Review Harry And Meghan’s Offerings Project By Project
Netflix wants to close the door on the Sussexes while leaving the door open in case of the possibility of a divorce.
The couple hasn’t produced well for Netflix, as the streamer signed them in September 2020 after they left the royal family and the U.K. for the U.S.
None of their projects has worked out well for them. Yet, Netflix is holding out hope for another “Harry and Meghan,” which was the only docuseries that garnered high ratings.
The new arrangement allows Netflix to say yes or no to Harry and Meghan’s new TV or film projects before anyone else.
Meghan’s new content includes another season of “With Love, Meghan,” and a Christmas special in December.
According to the Daily Mail,
“The Sussexes are also working on ‘Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within,’ a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the shadows of the HIV/AIDS crisis linger.”
The source adds,
“There is also active development on other projects with Netflix, which can span a variety of other content genres, including an adaptation of the romantic novel, ‘Meet Me At The Lake.”
Truthfully, the only genre in which the pair has contributed to Netflix is documentaries. Critics have called Harry and Meghan’s documentaries “bloated and boring.”
Critics slayed “With Love, Meghan” because the Duchess comes off as fake and contrived. People can tell this woman is all about presentation and no substance. Fortunately for the Duchess, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, will also be a part of the deal.
Netflix Is Holding Out For A Potential Divorce Deal
The new terms are said to amount to only one tenth of the original sum they were presented in their first contract, which was an obscene 100 million dollars.
The new deal really isn’t much for Harry and Meghan, but it “saves them both reputationally.” In other words, the new contract is merely a PR tactic.
Meghan’s team forced Netflix’s hand by claiming they would sign a first-look deal prior to Netflix announcing its official decision.
Leading publicist, Mark Borkowski, clarified to the Daily Mail,
“Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix chapter is less champagne budget and more Prosecco by the glass.”
First-look deals are standard for agreements that didn’t make Netflix a ton of money, but the names may be big enough to justify Netflix’s future consideration.
Royal commentator Brittany from the Royal News Network speculated that Meghan was locked into talks with Netflix, and she was likely highly demanding. She probably threatened to go elsewhere.
Netflix was done with them, but was interested in a potential divorce deal. They weighed the pros and cons and decided it might be worth reviewing their content to determine if they would use it.
The future of Harry and Meghan in Hollywood and as a couple looks rather bleak. The only project that Netflix is banking on is the future divorce. They know that story would perform as well, if not better than “Harry and Meghan.”
Like Brittany says,
“It’s all about the money.”
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