Part 6/8:
The negotiation, it appears, was expertly managed by Ari Emanuel, a powerful agent who could leverage the broader corporate interests of Netflix. The move also signals Netflix’s intent to retain control, diminish the stars’ negotiating power, and hedge bets for future scandals or sensational content—like stories about the royal family or Meghan’s past controversies.
The Royal Family and Scandal as Content
The spotlight is also on the royal family’s history of sensational stories, which continue to sell. The special that Netflix aired about Meghan’s departure from royalty—laden with teasing scandals—has proven to be a lucrative formula. The suggestion is that Netflix remains interested in similar content, even if Harry and Meghan’s current deal is less generous.