Netflix's collaboration with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been one of the most talked-about partnerships in recent years. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to the U.S., signed a lucrative multi-year deal with the streaming giant to produce documentaries, series, films, and children's content. However, there has been much speculation about Netflix scrapping certain projects under this deal, such as the planned polo and cooking shows. So, why did Netflix end its deal with the royal couple and cancel these specific shows?
One of the main reasons for Netflix's decision to end some of these projects, including the polo and cooking shows, appears to be a shift in the streaming service’s content strategy. In recent years, Netflix has been focusing on scaling back expensive or underperforming projects to manage costs amidst rising competition from other streaming platforms like Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV+.
As part of this recalibration, the platform is leaning more towards projects that guarantee a wide audience appeal and strong return on investment. While Prince Harry and Meghan's projects, like "Harry & Meghan", garnered global attention and significant viewership, niche shows like a cooking series or a polo-related documentary may not have promised the kind of broad appeal that Netflix now seeks.
The couple's first major documentary, "Harry & Meghan," brought significant buzz and even controversy as it touched on their life post-royalty, relationships within the royal family, and their experiences with the British tabloids. While it garnered high viewership, some reports suggest that subsequent content from the couple did not perform as well as Netflix had hoped. For example, "Heart of Invictus," which focused on Harry's Invictus Games, reportedly fell short of the viewership numbers Netflix anticipated, especially given the heavy investment in the production.
With underperformance becoming a concern, Netflix likely opted to prioritize content that could bring in more robust results rather than sticking with projects that appealed to a narrower audience, such as a polo series, which would likely cater to a niche demographic.
Another possible factor behind the decision could be creative differences. The production process for any show involves various stages of planning, scripting, and direction. There may have been differing views between Netflix and the Sussexes regarding the vision, tone, or overall direction for these scrapped shows. It’s not uncommon for streaming services to halt projects if the final product doesn’t align with their branding or goals.
With the streaming service's priority on balancing artistic content with commercial success, it's possible that these niche concepts didn’t align with Netflix’s evolving content philosophy.
Netflix, like many media companies, has faced increased pressure from shareholders to control costs and enhance profitability. The cost of content production has surged in recent years, and Netflix has responded by being more selective about greenlighting new shows. Their previous deal with Harry and Meghan was reportedly worth millions of dollars, and while they still plan to collaborate with the royal couple on future projects, the streaming giant might be cutting down on initiatives it views as not financially viable in the long term.
The polo and cooking shows, while intriguing in their unique perspectives, may have fallen victim to this cost-cutting initiative. These genres are not always guaranteed to bring in massive viewership or global interest, which could explain why they were the first to go.
The landscape of streaming entertainment is continuously evolving, with audiences having more content options than ever before. For Netflix, ensuring that every piece of content stands out is essential in a competitive marketplace. Unfortunately, a polo show—likely centered around Harry’s love for the sport—or a cooking show, which may have featured Meghan’s passion for food, could have been viewed as too niche to sustain the global attention that Netflix typically targets.
Netflix is known for producing globally engaging content, whether through drama series, true crime documentaries, or stand-up specials. The couple's scrapped shows may not have had the mass-market appeal that the streaming giant craves in its current strategy.
Despite these cancellations, it’s important to note that Netflix has not completely ended its relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The couple’s Archewell Productions is still reportedly working on new content for Netflix, including projects that may have broader appeal. Future documentaries or series that are more aligned with Netflix’s goals of engaging a global audience could still emerge under this ongoing partnership.
Netflix’s decision to scrap the polo and cooking shows planned under its deal with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle likely comes down to a combination of strategic changes, underperformance of previous content, and the overall financial landscape. While these projects might have been personally meaningful for the couple, they may not have aligned with Netflix’s current goals of producing high-impact, wide-appeal content. However, the partnership between Netflix and the royal duo continues, and audiences may still look forward to seeing more projects from them in the future.
