Royal couple Harry and Meghan secure Netflix arrangement, presumably less financially rewarding as per reports - Netflix secures a fresh arrangement with Harry and Meghan
In a significant move, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have updated their deal with streaming giant Netflix, transitioning from an exclusive contract to a multi-year, non-exclusive "first-look" agreement. This change grants them more creative control and flexibility in their productions, while potentially reducing guaranteed earnings.
The new deal, announced in August 2025, replaces the reported $100 million (€88.9 million) exclusive contract signed in 2020. Under the new arrangement, Netflix has the first right of refusal for their film and television projects, but is not obligated to accept all content produced by Harry and Meghan's company, Archewell Productions.
This shift in strategy allows the royal couple to pitch projects to other platforms if Netflix declines, offering a more competitive and challenging approach in the streaming market. However, the exact financial terms of the new deal have not been publicly disclosed.
The new deal's implications are evident in productions like "With Love, Meghan," a lifestyle and cooking show starring Meghan Markle, which premiered on Netflix in March. The show, produced under Archewell Productions, features the Duchess sharing tips on cooking, gardening, and party planning. Despite criticism from reviewers, "With Love, Meghan" reached a million viewers, demonstrating the show's appeal to Netflix subscribers.
This approach may suit Harry and Meghan's desire to explore various content types and platforms. However, it signals Netflix's more cautious investment in their output after mixed critical and commercial reception to previous projects.
The couple, who have been living in the U.S. state of California since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, also rely on media productions and publications, including Harry's autobiography, as income sources. Their six-part docuseries "Harry & Meghan," released in 2021, was watched 23 million times in the first four days after its release.
While the specific details about the terms of the new deal for "With Love, Meghan" were not provided, the deal's structure allows Harry and Meghan to offer the show to other companies if Netflix is not interested. This strategy offers a more diversified approach to their content distribution, reflecting their commitment to creative freedom and adaptability in the ever-evolving media landscape.
| Aspect | Non-Exclusive "First-Look" Deal | Traditional Exclusive Deal | |-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Earnings Potential | Likely lower and variable, depending on Netflix's acceptance of projects | Usually fixed or guaranteed large sums, e.g., $100M for guaranteed content | | Creative Freedom | Higher — can pitch projects to other platforms if Netflix passes | Lower — content must be exclusively for the one platform | | Netflix's Rights | First right of refusal but can reject projects | Exclusive rights to all content from producers | | Risk | Shared risk: creators can seek other buyers if Netflix declines | Platform bears more risk with large upfront guarantees |
This new approach to their Netflix deal marks an interesting development in the partnership between the streaming giant and the royal couple. As they continue to create and distribute content, it will be fascinating to see how this strategy unfolds and how it impacts their future projects.
[1] The New York Times. (2025, August 1). Harry and Meghan Announce New Netflix Deal. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/arts/television/harry-meghan-netflix-deal.html
[2] Variety. (2025, August 1). Harry and Meghan Ink New Netflix Deal, Replacing Original $100 Million Pact. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/harry-meghan-netflix-deal-1235114754/
I'm not gonna be able to get a hold of you, as I am currently engaged in discussions about the entertainment industry, specifically celebrities like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They have transitioned from an exclusive contract with Netflix to a non-exclusive "first-look" deal, which offers them more creative control and flexibility in their productions. This means they can now pitch their projects to other platforms if Netflix declines, creating a more competitive and challenging approach in the streaming market.
