In the years since stepping back from senior royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on a high-profile bid to reinvent themselves as global media entrepreneurs. With major deals in hand and millions of dollars on the table, they aimed to build an independent future. But recent developments have raised questions about how solid that future really is.
Once Promising Media Deals
Shortly after leaving royal life in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex secured two headline-making partnerships:
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A multi-year production deal with Netflix, reportedly worth around $100 million, under which their company — Archewell Productions — was to develop documentaries, series, and films.
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A podcasting agreement with Spotify through their media arm Archewell Audio, reportedly valued at around $20 million.
The Netflix deal initially produced several high-profile projects, including the Harry & Meghan docuseries and other documentary content on topics like Invictus Games and world leaders. And on Spotify, Meghan’s Archetypes podcast debuted to significant attention when it launched in 2022.
Spotify Partnership Ends Early
Despite the early buzz, the Spotify deal ended in 2023 after just one season of Archetypes — and no renewal for additional seasons. This came despite the original multi-year contract, with Spotify and Archewell issuing a joint statement that they were “proud of the series we made together” but had agreed to part ways. The podcast had garnered some awards and notable guests, but failed to sustain ongoing output beyond its initial run, and executives made it clear that content performance factors into renewal decisions.
The split drew sharp public commentary, including criticism from Spotify’s Bill Simmons, who openly described the deal as unsuccessful, further highlighting how abruptly the partnership ended.
Netflix Deal Nears Its End — With Uncertain Renewal
Their Netflix contract, once a cornerstone of their post-royal career, is now reportedly not being renewed after its five-year term. Sources familiar with the situation say Netflix chose not to extend the overall deal beyond 2025, representing a major financial and strategic blow.
Industry insiders say the Sussexes delivered several projects, but none matched the massive cultural impact of their flagship docuseries. Productions like Polo and other shows did not generate the same viewership, and some planned developments were quietly shelved or never materialised.
Financial Pressures and Archewell’s Challenges
Reports suggest that Archewell — the umbrella organisation encompassing both the couple’s philanthropic and commercial ventures — is facing structural and financial headwinds. Sources close to the operation describe staff departures, project delays, and the need for a strategic pivot as revenue streams from major media licenses ebb.
Another report indicated Archewell may be operating at a deficit, with the company forced into what one analyst described as a “rebrand” toward core philanthropic work rather than commercial expansion.
Royal commentators and analysts have noted the high costs associated with the couple’s lifestyle — including security and a high-profile California estate — at a time when their most lucrative deals are winding down. One former royal aide observed that, since stepping away from royal finances, their income may be trending downward without fresh blockbuster deals on the horizon.
What’s Next?
Harry and Meghan continue to explore new avenues. Meghan has pursued redistribution of Archetypes via a partnership with Lemonada Media, and there are reports of additional podcast projects in development. Meanwhile, Archewell Productions is still listed as developing some projects with Netflix under a “first-look” arrangement — though these are early stage and far from guaranteed hits.
But with their two biggest deals — Spotify and Netflix — either concluded or ending, the Sussexes face a crucial crossroads. What once looked like a bold reinvention of royal influence into media entrepreneurship is now being tested by marketplace realities, shifting audience interest, and the practical challenges of sustaining high-stakes commercial success outside the institution they left behind.