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Netflix Axes Meghan and Harry Deal: The Future of Sussexes’ Partnership in Doubt
In a surprising turn of events, Netflix is rumored to be considering axing its deal with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The couple had signed a lucrative contract with the streaming giant after their move to America and their decision to step down as working members of the royal family in 2020.
However, according to a royal expert, the future of their partnership with Netflix hangs in the balance, particularly after the release of Season 6 of the hit series, The Crown, later this year.
The Crown, which first aired in 2016, has captivated audiences with its portrayal of the British royal family.
Starring Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Smith as Prince Philip, the show has garnered immense popularity.
However, Season 6 will mark the final set of episodes, focusing on the tragic death of Princess Diana and the early romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton during their university days.
The concern surrounding the potential termination of the Netflix deal lies in the fact that The Crown's success has coincided with a growing interest in the younger generation of royals.
There are fears that once the show concludes, this curiosity may wane, leading to a decrease in demand for content related to the Sussexes.
Prince Harry and Meghan have had mixed results with their projects on Netflix.
Their first venture, the documentary series Harry and Meghan, was a resounding success.
However, Harry's Heart of Invictus, a docuseries highlighting the Invictus Games, struggled to attract viewers and is now considered a costly disappointment for the streaming platform.
Furthermore, Meghan's animated series Pearl was canceled due to budget cuts.
Although the couple still has two more years to produce content under their $100 million Netflix contract, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams believes it could be terminated sooner than expected.
The recent termination of their contract with Spotify was undoubtedly a blow for the Sussexes.
Once The Crown's final season airs, Netflix may reassess the value of their partnership.
The success of their future projects, such as the adaptation of the romantic novel Meet Me at the Lake, will be crucial in determining the longevity of their collaboration with Netflix.
However, Harry's most recent docuseries, Heart of Invictus, failed to make the impact anticipated, possibly due to its excessive five-hour length.
If Netflix does decide to sever ties with the Sussexes, they wouldn't be the first streaming platform to do so.
It has been reported that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was angered when Meghan unexpectedly joined him in his VIP box at a Beyonce concert.
After a brief photo opportunity, he apparently asked her to vacate the empty seat next to him.
Speculation suggests that Meghan's presence at the concert might have had more business implications than simply enjoying the show.
Pictures from the event show Meghan seated beside Sarandos and his wife, Nicole Avant.
Some have even analyzed the body language between Meghan and Sarandos, suggesting a different dynamic.
A YouTuber claimed that Meghan was instructed to leave the seat after a 10-second photo-op, which could explain the limited number of photos showing them together.
It is possible that Sarandos and his wife felt uncomfortable sharing the frame with the former actress, leading to her relocation to another seat.
Meghan's behavior at events has occasionally raised eyebrows, as she tends to find humor in the moment and applaud randomly when not in the spotlight.
Lady C, a popular YouTube channel, suggested that Netflix now sees Meghan as more commercially viable following the perceived failure of the Invictus documentary.
This shift in perception may have influenced her interactions with Netflix executives.
As the fate of Prince Harry and Meghan's partnership with Netflix hangs in the balance, it remains to be seen how their future projects will shape their relationship with the streaming giant.