Netflix’s ‘Harry & Meghan’ Game Plan

harry & meghan
‘Harry & Meghan’ sits at the heart of Netflix’s gameplan: create the most globally-appealing documentaries possible, and keep strong competition out of the hands of competitors. Courtesy: Netflix
Julia Alexander
December 13, 2022

Even casual observers of Netflix’s programming strategy may have noticed that the 25-year-old streaming company has been engaged in some mid-life experimentation of late. Netflix, of course, was the first to break completely from the traditional weekly episode format that had defined the TV business for generations, introducing “binge” into the entertainment lexicon. But times change, and what’s old is new again in Hollywood. Under enormous pressure to hold users’ attention, and prevent churn, Netflix is now testing “live” events, like Chris Rock’s upcoming special; interactive features, like having viewers vote on Too Hot to Handle; and appointment-style TV moments, designed to draw in big crowds while stretching their cultural impact, as is the case with its new six-episode, two-tranche documentary series on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle