Harry and Meghan’s Netflix Deal Ends as Planned—Despite Media Spin

Every year, tabloids recycle the same tired prediction: the collapse of Meghan Sussex and Prince Harry’s Netflix deal. This time, the noise started with The Sun and spread to People Magazine, which echoed the speculation without confirmation from either Netflix or Archewell Productions. If they’re not exploiting Harry’s late relatives to attack him and Meghan, the press leans on fictional or unconfirmed narratives, like the so-called Netflix fallout, to fill the vacuum whenever the couple steps out of the spotlight. It’s predictable but strategic.

A closer look shows this is not a downfall but a deliberate shift. The real story reflects evolving media trends, not a rejection of Meghan and Harry.

The Netflix Deal Was Always Meant To Run Five Years With Ongoing Content Delivery

In September 2020, it was officially announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Sussex had signed a multi-year deal with Netflix, widely presumed to last five years. Even Chris Ship, a royal correspondent very critical of the couple, acknowledged at the time that the deal would extend into 2025.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos welcomed the partnership in 2020, calling the Sussexes’ choice of Netflix their “creative home” and praising their focus on stories that “build resilience” and “increase understanding.”

By 2021, tabloids were repeatedly pushing the narrative that Harry and Meghan were beginning to have doubts, and Netflix was unhappy with their output. The Sun was pressuring Prince Harry to abandon the $100 million contract over The Crown’s portrayal of Princess Diana, trying to stir controversy where none existed.

Meghan and Harry debuted their first Netflix project in December 2022 with Harry & Meghan, which drew 81.6 million viewing hours in its first week, marking the most successful documentary launch in Netflix history at the time. An estimated 28 million households streamed the series.

They followed with Live to Lead later that year, Heart of Invictus in 2023, and With Love, Meghan in 2025, maintaining a steady stream of original content across genres. With Love, Meghan earned over 5 million views globally, delivering a strong performance for a niche genre show and holding its own alongside popular lifestyle titles like The Great British Baking Show, Chef’s Table, and Queer Eye.

Media Outlets Keep Repeating The Same Story

Beyond the five Netflix projects delivered by the Sussexes, negative media coverage worked overtime to discredit their efforts. In 2023, websites claimed Netflix had pulled out of its deal with Harry and Meghan. In 2024, headlines warned the couple would face a “financial blow.” Business Insider called them a “bad investment“. Many outlets ignored the five-year timeline of the deal and instead pushed sensational headlines about an imminent cancellation, stories crafted to drive clicks, even if they fueled negative narratives about the Sussexes.

When The Sun claimed that Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal was “dead after As Ever flop,” much of the media ran with it, despite having spent years laying the groundwork by misreporting that the deal was always planned for five years. In reality, the deal is simply reaching its planned conclusion.

Also, the Sun’s framing ignores key facts: As Ever products sold out at launch and during every restock, and Meghan confirmed in February that Netflix is a partner in As Ever. But accuracy was never the point. As a Rupert Murdoch outlet that Prince Harry successfully sued, The Sun appears more interested in distorting reality than reporting it, especially when the goal is to paint Harry and Meghan as failures.

Netflix Strategy Has Shifted And The Sussexes Are Still In The Game

Page Six was one of the few outlets to report the truth, that the Sussexes’ exclusive Netflix deal ended as planned, with a first-look agreement likely to follow. But instead of respecting that nuance, most media twisted the update into yet another failure narrative. The same cycle plays out every year, calculated to spark outrage and cast doubt on Meghan and Harry’s financial independence. After all, it’s easier to mock the couple who earn their millions than to question why the rest of the senior royals live off public funds, do fewer engagements, and enjoy luxury holidays on the taxpayer’s dime.

Netflix no longer leans on massive exclusive deals. Instead, the company now favors first-look agreements that offer creative flexibility. This model already applies to Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground and is expected to apply to Meghan and Harry next. According to Page Six, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are likely to sign a new agreement that allows Netflix to preview and greenlight future content from the couple.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos pushed back on speculation in March 2025, describing Meghan as a valuable cultural force and a smart investment. He noted her strong consumer influence, pointing out that even products seen in the trailer for her docuseries quickly sold out.

In short, Netflix isn’t walking away. It’s updating its playbook, and the Sussexes are still part of the strategy.

Negative Headlines Distract From Royal Controversy

The timing of the media frenzy raises questions. As King Charles confronts new allegations of staff bullying, Kate and William draw criticism for their light workload and frequent holidays, tabloids flood the news cycle with misleading stories about Meghan and Harry.

For years, the British press has used coverage of the Sussexes to distract from scandals within the monarchy. By amplifying a story sourced from Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid empire, media outlets compromise their credibility. They treated speculation as fact and buried the real update: Netflix is still working with Harry and Meghan under a new structure. A lack of confirmation from the couple is not proof of failure. It’s proof they’ve learned not to feed the clickbait.

Final Thoughts

The Netflix deal between Harry and Meghan was never meant to last forever. It was a business agreement with a defined timeline, not a royal entitlement. The Sussexes delivered global content and Netflix gained cultural impact and viewership. I get that it might be confusing, especially when most royals are taxpayer-funded for life, but real contracts come with deadlines, not crowns. This wasn’t a failure. It was a completed partnership.

Now, as Netflix shifts toward first-look deals instead of exclusive contracts, the Sussexes are adapting too. This isn’t a scandal. It’s strategy.

Forget the recycled headlines. The facts are clear: their projects perform, the studio backs them, and the work continues. Harry and Meghan aren’t being dropped. They’re evolving with the platform on smarter, more flexible terms.