New Netflix Deal For Prince Harry

Sussexes and Streamer: A Renewed Alliance in Hollywood

A renewed alliance in Hollywood has been forged between Netflix and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have inked a new multi-year agreement. This fresh pact dispels media speculation that the streaming service would sever ties with the couple. Through Archewell Productions, their company, the partnership will maintain its focus on generating diverse cinematic and televised material. The move marks a continuing chapter for the couple in the production sphere they joined after relinquishing their official capacities as high-ranking royals.

Their initial pact with Netflix, a five-year agreement starting in 2020, was reportedly valued at $100 million. Since then, they have released several projects under the Archewell banner. These productions include the revealing docuseries Harry & Meghan, the sports-focused Heart of Invictus, the leadership series Live to Lead, and the recent documentary Polo. The most recent offering was the duchess's lifestyle programme, which is called With Love, Meghan.

A Shift in Strategy

The renewed pact is structured as a "first-look" deal, granting Netflix the initial opportunity to pick up any project Archewell Productions develops. If the streaming service passes on a concept, the Sussexes are then free to shop it to other potential distributors. This arrangement differs from their original 2020 contract, which was a more exclusive overall deal. The updated structure provides Netflix with more flexibility and reflects a broader industry trend of moving away from all-encompassing agreements, similar to the one now in place with Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground production company.

Defying Expectations

Recent news had indicated the partnership was at risk. Certain media outlets asserted that disappointing viewership for some projects could prompt Netflix to allow the contract to lapse. Specifically, during the year's initial six months, the programme With Love, Meghan did not appear among the platform's 300 most-watched shows. Furthermore, a documentary from Prince Harry, titled Polo, ranked at number 3,346 among 7,000 available shows. However, the renewal contradicts these predictions, demonstrating a continued commitment from both parties.

Netflix's chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, affirmed the company's enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration. Bajaria highlighted that the couple are influential voices with stories that connect with global audiences. She noted that the response to their work is evident, with Harry & Meghan quickly becoming one of the platform's most-watched documentary series.

Image Credit - by Mark Jones, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Successes and Viewership

Despite some mixed results, the Sussexes' productions have achieved notable successes. The Harry & Meghan docuseries, which offered an intimate look into their lives, was a massive hit. It debuted in December 2022 and garnered 23.4 million views, making it the most-viewed documentary on the platform within its first four days. The series remains Netflix's fifth most popular documentary of all time and reached the top 10 in 85 countries.

The duchess's culinary and lifestyle show, also performed well. It landed in the Global Top 10 and reached the top 10 in 24 countries. Throughout the first half of this year, the show attracted 5.3 million views, positioning it as Netflix's most-watched culinary programme since its release. This success has evidently paved the way for more content in a similar vein.

The Future Slate

Archewell Productions has a busy schedule ahead under the renewed deal. A follow-up season for the show With Love, Meghan is scheduled to be released before the month concludes. The new eight-episode season will feature a host of celebrity guests, including Chrissy Teigen, Tan France, and renowned chefs like José Andrés and David Chang. The show will continue to explore cooking, DIY projects, and creating joy in everyday life.

Following the second season, a holiday special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, is planned for December. This episode promises to share the joy of the festive season from the couple's Montecito home. These new instalments represent the first multi-season project for the Sussexes with the streaming service, indicating a deepening of the creative partnership.

Branching into New Genres

Beyond lifestyle content, Archewell is expanding its creative focus. The company is developing a movie based on the popular romance book by Carley Fortune, Meet Me At The Lake. The story follows a decade-spanning love affair that begins with a chance encounter. Netflix reportedly acquired the rights for this project for $3 million, and it marks one of Archewell's first forays into adapting fiction.

Another planned project is the documentary short named Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within. It explores an orphanage in the Masaka region of Uganda, a community still affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. The documentary will focus on how orphaned children find hope and healing through dance.

A Comprehensive Media Strategy

The Netflix deal is a cornerstone of the couple's broader media and business strategy. The deal now incorporates a partnership with the duchess's lifestyle brand, which is called As Ever. The streaming service has become a formal partner in the business, which was initially launched as American Riviera Orchard before its recent renaming. Products from this lifestyle line have reportedly been selling out quickly. The collaboration aims to integrate the brand with the lifestyle content produced for the streaming platform.

Expressing her pride in the extended collaboration, the Duchess of Sussex noted that their joint work would now formally feature the As Ever brand. She shared that both she and her husband find motivation from their collaborators, who are in close cooperation with the Archewell staff to develop meaningful productions that connect with a worldwide audience.

The Spotify Chapter

Not all of the Sussexes' media ventures have followed the same trajectory. In 2023, their $20 million agreement with Spotify for podcast creation came to a close after just one 12-episode series, Archetypes. The conclusion of their arrangement was officially described as a mutual decision.

However, when their Spotify deal concluded, it drew sharp commentary. Bill Simmons, a Spotify executive and founder of The Ringer, publicly criticised the couple on his podcast. He labelled them "grifters" and expressed frustration over the situation. Contemporary accounts indicated the royal duo failed to deliver the required volume of content to earn the total compensation outlined in their contract.

Image Credit - by Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Charitable Endeavours

Separate from their media work, Prince Harry has faced changes in his philanthropic activities. In March, he stepped away from his role at Sentebale, the charitable organization he established in 2006 to support youngsters in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV and AIDS. The exit came after an internal leadership conflict and a breakdown in the relationship with the charity's chair.

Prince Harry and the charity's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, resigned in solidarity with the board of trustees. The Charity Commission for England and Wales investigated the dispute and found no evidence of systemic bullying but noted the public nature of the row had impacted the charity's reputation. A representative has since mentioned that the prince is contemplating the establishment of a new entity to continue his work in the region.

Looking Forward

The renewed Netflix deal provides a stable platform for the couple to continue building their media empire. While the new "first-look" arrangement is less financially binding for Netflix than the previous contract, the multi-year term signifies a vote of confidence in Archewell's potential to produce compelling content.

The diverse slate of upcoming projects—from lifestyle and holiday specials to documentary shorts and romantic feature films—demonstrates an ambitious and multi-faceted approach to their production goals. As they move forward, the couple continues to navigate the complex worlds of Hollywood production, brand building, and philanthropic work from their base in California. Their journey remains a subject of intense public and media interest worldwide.