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Elle
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
The Real Reason Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's £75 Million Netflix Deal Won't Be Renewed
On paper, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's move to the leafy Californian enclave of Montecito looked like a dream: autonomy over their lives, a new home in sunny California, and a platform built for 'impactful storytelling' over royal protocol. The couple's first creation for the streaming platform, the docuseries of their love story, Harry & Meghan, broke Netflix records as the streamer's most-watched documentary of all time — 28 million households tuned in to watch two former Windsors set their own narrative in the first two weeks of its premiere. Even Meghan's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan generated a briefly landed in Netflix's top ten. Yet it has now been reported, per People, that the couple's reported $100 million (£75 million) deal with Netflix will not be renewed in September. The pair signed their multi-year Netflix deal in 2020, marking their first major project after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to California. Behind the scenes, the numbers of the Sussexes' projects tell a less regal tale. While Harry & Meghan proved a hit, their later projects — Polo and Heart of Invictus — struggled to keep the spotlight, with Polo only nabbing 500,000 viewers globally and With Love, Meghan falling outside Netflix's coveted top 300 for 2025. Per People, however, there's 'no animosity' between the royal couple and Netflix, with sources noting that it's merely a symptom of Netflix shifting focus from high-cost exclusive deals like Archewell's towards single-project options. The streaming service pivoted in the same way with with their deal involving former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground production company, which evolved into a first-look agreement, according to People. 'Netflix were clever in that they got a hell of a lot of viewers for the first documentary series, and knew, realistically, it would prove the zenith of content from the Montecito pair,' a source said. 'They're not unhappy with how things turned out — they got those initial hits, and produced one of the most talked-about shows of all time.' In the meantime, the already-filmed second season of With Love, Meghan will premiere on Netflix in the autumn, while the Sussexes no doubt start working out what their next chapter will look like. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years' worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have 'desperate' reason for royal reunion
In the wake of their multimillion pound deal with Netflix being scrapped, a royal commentator has shared his thoughts on the timing of alleged peace talks between the Sussex camp and the royal family A royal expert has weighed in on the reason he thinks are behind the alleged peace talks between Prince Harry and his father, King Charles. After senior aides to both the Duke of Sussex and the King were spotted having a meeting in London, rumours have emerged on the potential motive behind a royal reconciliation. Now, royal expert Robert Jobson has claimed that the rumoured peace talks may be linked to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's deal with Netflix drawing to a close. Speaking to The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, the royal author suggested that Harry and Meghan could be seeking 'handouts' from the King, hence the initiation of peace talks between the Sussex camp and the royal family. Jobson said: 'Well, the deal was always set at about $100 million, wasn't it? And the talk of that figure sort of blew a lot of people's minds, but I think that was for productions and things that they're supposed to have done. 'Where does it leave them? Probably with a bit of a bowl out, looking for some handouts. Maybe that's why they were over with their staff, were over here having discussions with the King. I don't know. 'The reality is in the past they got support from the King and the late Queen, and they said they were going to go and make their way. They've lost Spotify, they've lost Netflix. They can't rely on the spare money forever, can they?' Also on the show was Sky News' royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, who was also quick to speculate what Harry and Meghan would do financially when their lucrative deal with the streaming giant draws to a close in September. She said: 'It's just fascinating. They have this very expensive lifestyle. They have to pay for their security, pay for that big mansion. How do you kind of keep the money coming in?' Earlier this month, it was reported that Netflix has decided not to renew the contract it holds with the Sussexes once it runs out in a few months time. The Sussexes are believed to have signed a five-year deal worth around $100million in September 2020 with the streaming giant to produce a raft of content. The Sussexes released three major projects during their time with Netflix, including their docuseries, titled Harry & Meghan, Meghan's lifestyle show called With Love, Meghan, and Harry's polo documentary titled Polo. Despite the major projects, their programmes failed to draw in an audience, as With Love, Meghan, came in 383rd on the list of most watched programming, while Polo fell even further down the list in 3,436th place with just 500,000 views. Speaking in their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Harry memorably said he and Meghan signed lucrative deals with the likes of Netflix and Spotify after being financially cut off from the royals - leaving them with hefty security bills. Harry said deals with the streaming giants were "never part of the plan", but said they needed cash to pay for security. He said: "That was suggested by somebody else by the point where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us."
India Today
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's $100 million Netflix deal to end without renewal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's content deal with Netflix is reportedly set to conclude later this year. Signed in 2020, the deal is valued at approximately $100 million. It permitted the couple creative autonomy over content centred on mental health, social justice, and lifestyle per a report by The Sun, the deal will not be renewed as both parties agree the collaboration has "run its course." It quoted a source as saying that there is "no animosity from either side," adding that Netflix "got all it can from the couple." This shift also reflects broader changes in Netflix's content strategy. It will move away from long-term exclusive contracts towards individual project Duke and Duchess of Sussex entered the agreement shortly after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States. Their most notable project under this collaboration was the 2022 docuseries 'Harry & Meghan'. It achieved the status of the most-watched documentary debut on Netflix. Additional projects included 'Live to Lead', 'Heart of Invictus', 'With Love, Meghan' and the animated series 'Pearl,' although the latter was eventually cancelled. These projects highlighted their commitment to impactful storytelling and social early successes, recent projects have not matched initial expectations. The couple's latest venture, 'Polo', attracted around 500,000 viewers. It is a significant drop from their earlier non-renewal of the Sussexes' deal signifies a potential shift in the couple's media trajectory. For fans and industry observers, it marks a period of transition in how the royal couple engages with global entertainment couple's foray into Hollywood has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. It reflected the complexities of transitioning from royal life to the entertainment industry. As this chapter ends, both Netflix and the Sussexes appear poised to explore new opportunities and collaborations that align with their respective visions and goals.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix deal axed, but more ‘TV projects' are on the way
Meghan Markle is hitting pause on her podcast, 'Confessions of a Female Founder,' just as her and Prince Harry's $100 million Netflix deal was axed, per The Mirror UK. As their exclusive deal with Netflix winds down, it's clear Harry and Meghan aren't stepping away from the spotlight — they're just changing how they shine in it. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)(AFP) Speaking on Emma Grede's Aspire podcast last month, Meghan expressed, 'To then take everyone's advice, and mine included, and to say 'I love that there's so much excitement and desire for another season, but I need to focus on my business.'' But don't expect the Sussexes to disappear from the screen entirely. Page Six reported the couple is gearing up for a new chapter, one that could include a fresh first-look deal with Netflix, much like the Obamas' arrangement with the platform after their own exclusive deal ended. ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle heading toward bankruptcy after Netflix deal collapses? 'There are more TV projects coming soon with both the duke and duchess,' one source told Page Six. Meghan and Harry's star power keeps shining? Notably, the couple is reportedly still very much in demand at Netflix, and CEO Ted Sarandos continues to enjoy a close personal relationship with the couple, including regular dinners, per insiders. Meanwhile, Meghan's lifestyle series 'With Love, Meghan' will return for a second season this September. The first season may have flown under the radar, ranking No. 383 on Netflix's recent 'What We Watched' report with 5.3 million views. But a Page Six source pointed out that this actually places it 'in the top 5 percent of Netflix shows,' outperforming titles like The Great British Baking Show, Chef's Table, and Queer Eye Season 9. Meghan is also busy building her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and growing her wine and home goods line, As Ever. She recently sold out of her rosé wine and is preparing to launch a champagne collection alongside holiday-themed products. ALSO READ| Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's $100 million Netflix deal won't be renewed. What it means for With Love, Meghan 'The brand continues to evolve with new products that align with her vision for quality lifestyle goods at accessible price points,' a source told Page Six. 'This wine is good enough to be poured at Buckingham Palace,' a Brooklyn sommelier praised the Duchess wine, per the New York Post.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle heading toward bankruptcy after Netflix deal collapses?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be facing a personal and financial crisis following the collapse of their $100 million Netflix deal, sources claimed to RadarOnline. They also added that the fallout with the streaming giant could push the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to bankruptcy and even to the brink of divorce. Despite their dream to build an empire via Archewell Productions, their partnership with Netflix fizzled out. Reports suggest the collapse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's $100 million Netflix deal could result in bankruptcy. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)(AP) Industry insiders revealed to the media outlet that the platform, based on a subscription model, has 'no appetite' to renew its deal, which will expire later this year. Also Read: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's $100 million Netflix deal won't be renewed. What it means for With Love, Meghan Could Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face bankruptcy? A fading public interest and falling viewership data resulted in Harry and Markle's fallout with Netflix, insiders claimed to the media outlet. One source shared, 'She had everything going for her, name, platform, and publicity, but the viewing numbers for the show were dismal. This deal is dead.' Another insider added, "Meghan and Harry rely on this deal to sustain upkeep on their $29million mansion and their huge range of staff. Without it, and without massively curbing their spending, they could be headed for bankruptcy." Markle's lifestyle series, WithLove Meghan, which debuted in March but struggles to gain traction, was ranked at 383rd position on Netflix with just 5.3 million views in the first half of the year. The modest performance paled in comparison to the unexpected streaming revival of her previous legal drama Suits, which outshone her new project. A Netflix source said, "There was initial curiosity about them, but that's evaporated. They have gone from buzzy to background noise." Also Read: Inside Bryan Kohberger's life sentence with luxuries behind bars Prince Harry and Markle 'not natural content creators' Insiders claimed that the couple lacked creative direction when it came to any of their content. Talking about Markle's show, a streaming source described it as 'well-lit but flat'. Another source noted that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are "not natural content creators, they're trying to be what they think the public wants, rather than being authentic." Despite WithLove Meghan getting a green light for another season, the insiders believe that it is the streaming giant's gesture of courtesy to finish off every remaining obligation with the couple. Sources said that Netflix has 'zero interest in pursuing further projects'. One insider added, "They're just waiting for the credits to roll on this unfortunate chapter. Bosses see commissioning any more content from this pair a total waste of money."
