The world watched with bated breath as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on an enormous journey into the land of media production, signing an unprecedented deal with Netflix. What initially appeared as a match made in streaming heaven has evolved into a far more intricate conclusion, revealing the complex interplay of public fascination, content performance, and the strategic decisions of global entertainment giants.

Although the partnership started with great promise and impressive initial success, the decision taken by Netflix regarding the deal raises questions about what factors led to the conclusion.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a jaw-dropping multi-year collaboration deal with Netflix in 2020, a deal reportedly worth $100 million. According to an insider's statement to The Sun, however, the agreement that was originally supposed to end in September will not see renewal, as both parties recognize the partnership has fulfilled its primary course. Through the course of the contract, Netflix was strategic, gaining significant viewership from the initial Harry & Meghan docuseries, which they viewed as the content's peak. Despite the initial monumental success, subsequent projects experienced significantly lower viewership figures. 

Their inaugural project, the tell-all documentary Harry & Meghan, achieved extraordinary global success. It managed to fetch an incredible 81.55 million hours in viewing within the first week and was the most streamed debut in documentary history. With Love, Meghan ranking at 383 with 5.4 million views, and their Polo documentary at 3,436, Netflix sources indicate no ill will, affirming satisfaction with the initial hits. However, despite the early success, the streaming platform has decided to stick to its decision not to renew the collaboration.

Netflix Shuts the Door on Meghan Markle Deal—No Renewal in Sight, Insider Reveals

Looking beyond the current contract, their media aspirations continue to grow.

Even as their extensive Netflix contract concludes, certain projects are poised for continuation. The Duchess of Sussex’s lifestyle program, With Love, Meghan, which debuted in March, is still scheduled for a second season release this autumn. This indicates a potential shift towards singular, project-based collaborations rather than broad, multi-year commitments.

Alongside their hit and flop Netflix ventures, Meghan Markle launched her lifestyle brand, As Ever, this spring. The Duchess of Sussex introduced an initial collection of products, like raspberry spread, wildflower honey, and herbal teas. The launch proved immensely popular, with the debut collection selling out rapidly, signifying her continued focus on lifestyle and wellness endeavors alongside her media production work. This suggests the couple may explore diverse paths for their future content creation and brand development, potentially independent of the streaming giant.

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What do you think about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's decisiom regarding their Netflix partnership? Let us know in the comments below.