Yesterday, we reported that Meghan Markle was left humiliated when Netflix downgraded her contract in a big way. Now, Michelle Obama has found herself being dragged into this. Indeed, experts are comparing Meghan to the Obamas, pointing out that each of their Netflix deals flopped miserably.
Meghan, Prince Harry, And The Obamas Fail At Netflix
Meghan and her husband Prince Harry’s $100 million Netflix deal is set to expire next month. Unfortunately for them, Netflix has opted not to renew this deal. Instead, Meghan, 44, and Harry, 40, have resorted to signing a “multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects” with Netflix.
A first look deal means that Netflix will have the option to say yes or no to new film and television deals from the couple before anyone else can. Meghan and Harry desperately tried to spin the new deal in a positive light as they jointly announced it with Netflix. In a brief statement, they claimed that this deal is “extending their creative partnership” with Netflix through Archewell Productions.
According to experts, however, this deal is nothing to celebrate. Especially compared to the lucrative $100 million Netflix deal that Meghan and Harry signed in 2020.
The Hollywood Reporter brought Barack and Michelle Obama into this. The publication pointed out that this Netflix change mirrored the “downgrade” that the Obamas experienced earlier this year.
“In practice, it is a downgrade from the 2020 overall deal that birthed Harry & Meghan, Polo and With Love, Meghan, among other projects,” The Hollywood Reporter reported.
“The overall-to-first-look extension mirrors the move Netflix made recently with the Obamas — as well as others — for their Higher Ground banner,” it continued. “In both cases, the exclusivity carried by their respective, splashy original deals has been removed.”
Experts Weigh In
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agreed. He told Fox News that the new Netflix deal is “a clear sign that the Sussexes are not A-listers and that, despite the appeal of their brand, they have taken a bad hit.”
“There clearly is no repeat of the reported $100 million Netflix offered before,” he continued. “This first-look deal is certain to be less, probably a good deal less. It is true that Netflix continues to link with As Ever, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, and that may be the most commercially successful part of this new arrangement.”
A source told The New York Times that the new deal is far less than the $100 million Netflix contract that Meghan and Harry signed with Netflix in 2020. At the time, Meghan and Harry had just stepped down as senior royals, and it seemed that the world was their oyster. In the years since then, however, Meghan and Harry have struggled to garner any hits with Netflix. In fact, most of their projects have been outright flops.
“If you don’t do much you don’t deserve much,” Fitzwillams bluntly concluded.
‘Netflix Is Trimming Fat…’
Other experts feel the same way.
“They have shot the golden goose of 2020 – more of a ‘we’ll call you’ than ‘here’s the checkbook,'” leading publicist Mark Borkowski told Daily Mail. “It’s a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim.”
“I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo,” he continued. “They’re still in business together. Meghan’s As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan’s new Netflix chapter is less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.”
Given just how miserably Meghan and Harry have failed at Netflix, the Obamas undoubtedly won’t be happy to be lumped in with them. Only time will tell if these two couples can ever bounce back from this!
More About:Celebrity News