It seems like the honeymoon phase between Netflix and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is coming to a dramatic close.
With their contract set to expire in 2025, reports indicate that the streaming giant is ready to pull the plug on its partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
This news comes at a particularly tough time for the couple, who have been navigating a series of missteps in their public and professional lives.
Tension has been brewing ever since Harry and Meghan’s recent trip to Colombia, which insiders described as awkward and uncomfortable.
Despite their best efforts to manage how the narrative was portrayed, the trip only seemed to deepen Netflix’s dissatisfaction with the couple.
Sources suggest that the streaming service’s patience has been tested, leading to speculation about the future of their lucrative deal.
The crux of the issue appears to be the lack of compelling content produced by the Sussexes.
TV journalist Dan Wooten made headlines with his column in Express UK, stating that Netflix is preparing to deliver a significant blow to Harry and Meghan.
This sentiment was echoed by Puck’s newsletter, which hinted that the streaming service might not renew the $100 million contract signed back in 2020.
After years of unmet expectations, it seems Netflix has reached its breaking point.
When Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, they signed a deal with Netflix that promised exclusive documentaries and shows.
However, their inaugural project—a docuseries released in 2022—was met with mixed reviews, marking the beginning of a series of disappointments.
Royal biographer Angela Levin noted that Netflix’s interest in the couple’s lifestyle content is waning, with projects like Meghan’s cooking show and Harry’s polo documentary now postponed until early 2025.
The challenges didn’t end there.
Their recent trip to Colombia, intended to promote online safety for children, was marred by complications.
Reports suggest that the couple wanted to control what footage was captured, creating hurdles for Netflix in acquiring necessary content.
This attempt to dictate the narrative didn’t foster goodwill with the streaming service.
Social media is currently buzzing with chatter about a crucial decision looming on the horizon.
Netflix executives are reportedly gearing up for an important call with the Sussexes, and leaks indicate that the existing material has failed to resonate.
This is raising eyebrows about whether Netflix will continue its partnership with the couple.
Rumors are swirling that the Sussexes may ask Netflix to remain tight-lipped about their split or even concoct a story about better offers from other networks.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s frequent communication with executives, coupled with her rushed CBS interview and hurried Colombian tour, appears to be an effort to soften the impending blow.
Critics argue that Netflix, in its quest for efficiency, might be ready to sever ties with anything that doesn’t yield results.
Given the platform’s history of canceling even moderately successful shows, the Sussexes could easily be viewed as an expendable luxury, especially in today’s challenging economic climate.
Interestingly, some speculate that Netflix could turn the Sussexes’ potential exit into a content opportunity.
A documentary chronicling their rise and fall could serve as an intriguing commentary on their tumultuous journey, capturing the drama and public spectacle surrounding their lives.
As the deadline for their contract looms closer, it’s evident that Harry and Meghan’s ambitions in Hollywood face significant hurdles.
Whether Netflix will embrace this unfolding drama or cut its losses remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the saga of the Sussexes is far from over.
