A royal expert has revealed the “brutal truth” behind Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new watered-down deal with Netflix. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex triumphantly announced they now have a new “multi-year first look” deal with the streaming giant, in what was christened an “extension” of their partnership with it through their media company, Archewell Productions.
But the new deal is considerably different from the previous one they struck back in 2020, reportedly worth £74million. Much like the Obamas, Netflix will now hear the Sussexes’ ideas for potential projects first before deciding whether to obtain the rights to them.
Now, according to a PR expert, the latest move suggests that the streaming giant is “pivoting away” from Harry and Meghan.
PR and crisis expert Mark Borkowski told the Mirror: I think Netflix has done a very neat job of pivoting away from two very expensive people who didn’t deliver, and they’ve taken that deal off the table, and they’ve given them a modest one.”
The expert dubbed the new deal a “downgrade” and said Netflix are not more cautious of the couple, as apart from their first bombshell docuseries in 2022, the rest of the projects did not sky rocket.
He explained: “It’s not like they’re gradually uncoupling. It’s a downgrade.
“Netflix are not going to expose themselves to those budgets again, and it’s Netflix saying, ‘Well, look, let’s have a look at your content, but we’ll pick and choose, mate. ‘”
Details regarding the deal’s worth have not ben revealed, however, Mr Borkowski suggested that it could be a “pay-as you go” deal.
He said:” I would be surprised if it’s not pay as you go and it’s well, well below that first mark (of an estimated 100 million dollars).”
A representative for the Sussexes declined to comment on the financial arrangements of the deal.
