Critics of Meghan Markle may be disappointed in their expectations for her Netflix partnership, but one branding expert says the situation is far from a failure. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Doug Eldridge addressed the perception that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s streaming arrangement had been “downgraded” due to a lack of disclosed viewership numbers.
“While it appears like a negative downgrade on first pass, that’s akin to reading only headlines versus the fine print,” Eldridge said. The so-called downgrade, he explained, does not indicate the end of their relationship with Netflix. “Harry and Meghan still have several other creative projects with Netflix, as well as an expanded relationship around the As Ever lifestyle brand,” Eldridge noted.
“The latter will be a revenue generator for both sides, which is difficult to create (much less sustain) around traditional reality television.” For that reason, he argued, “This might not be a home run for Meghan Markle, but it’s certainly not the strikeout critics might have been hoping for.”
Eldridge added that the couple avoided a more damaging scenario by not relying solely on reality or documentary-style content. “They haven’t placed all their eggs in the reality/pseudo-doc category,” he said. Looking ahead, Eldridge speculated about what the market might look like now that the exclusivity clause is set to expire. “I’m not sure what the market looks like, in terms of a would-be bidding war,” he admitted.
“That said, just like the boosters and fuel tank eventually fall off the space shuttle as it ascends into orbit, so too might be the case with Harry and Meghan, as they climb higher to their bigger, broader vision.”
He suggested that if their recent series was necessary to help them “get into orbit,” then it should be considered a success. “They are now able to explore the ‘deep space’ of other ventures, which are not only intellectually more diverse, but also don’t require them to be the ‘name and face’ behind the product itself,” Eldridge said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed their multi-year deal with Netflix in 2020, producing a slate of projects that have ranged from documentaries to docuseries. While some critics have questioned the impact and profitability of the partnership, Eldridge’s comments point to a broader strategic plan that could see the couple shift focus toward projects with long-term commercial and creative potential.