Prince Harry's latest foray into the documentary world with the Hulu streaming of "Prince Harry's Mission: Life, Family, and The Invictus Games" has ignited widespread speculation about a possible shift in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's allegiance from Netflix to Disney. The documentary, which aired segments of Harry's interview with Good Morning America, has particularly caught attention due to its critical portrayal of Prince William and the lack of relationship between King Charles and his grandchildren.
The move has puzzled industry insiders and observers alike, given Harry and Meghan's existing £80 million deal with Netflix, which previously streamed Prince Harry's "Heart of Invictus" documentary. The Hulu documentary's debut comes amid rumors that Netflix might sever ties with the Sussexes, a speculation fueled further by Spotify's cessation of collaboration with the couple last year.
Hollywood and public relations expert Lynn Carratt from Press Box PR weighed in on the situation, highlighting the unusual nature of the documentary's platform choice given the Sussexes' contractual obligations with Netflix. "It's surprising that the documentary would not screen on Netflix as Hulu is one of their rivals," Carratt observed, suggesting that the documentary's airing on Hulu might have required Netflix's prior approval due to contractual clauses.
The documentary's release on Hulu, a platform unavailable in the UK, raises questions about the Sussexes' broader media strategy and potential future collaborations. Carratt speculated, "This does now blow the speculation wide open that when their $80 million contract with Netflix ends in early 2025, will they be planning a move to Disney who own Hulu?"
Meanwhile, Netflix's relationship with the Sussexes has reportedly been under strain, with dissatisfaction from both sides. Despite the initial $100 million valuation of the deal, insiders suggest that Netflix's commitment has been primarily towards covering Archewell Productions' overheads, with further income contingent on project deliveries. To date, the couple's contributions include the "Harry & Meghan" documentary and the Invictus film, with other projects still in nascent stages.
Prince Harry's continued involvement in the Invictus Games, coupled with his candid reflections on family dynamics and personal challenges, underscores his commitment to leveraging media platforms to advocate for causes close to his heart. As the Sussexes navigate the complexities of their media partnerships, the industry and the public alike watch keenly for signs of their next strategic move in the evolving landscape of streaming content and royal public engagement.
