Netflix's risky 'power move' explained as Harry releases programme with rival

25 February 2024 , 22:35

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle famously have a huge Netflix deal (Image: Getty Images)

Prince Harry was "allowed" to share his Hulu documentary by Netflix for one of two reasons according to a public relations expert.

Talking exclusively to the Mirror, PR to the stars Jane Owen described the possibilities behind Harry's controversial switch to the alternative streaming service for his new show.

It's not yet known if the move to release it away from the platform was officially okayed by Netflix. The unannounced one-off show began streaming on the Disney-owned Netflix rivals on Sunday. The show, titled Prince Harry's Mission: Life, Family and the Invictus Games is focused on the recent interview Harry gave to ABC News while he was in Canada ahead of next year's event.

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Harry's new documentary dropped on Hulu (GMA/Twitter)

However, Jane believes the streaming provider almost certainly knew about the new release. She explained: "There’s no way that Netflix didn’t know about the documentary. A deal like that with so much money would have had very specific regulations about what hoops Harry would have needed to jump through to make a show with another network."

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Jane provided two potential reasons for Netflix letting the show go to air - either they're bored of Harry despite their huge five-year deal with him worth £80million, or they're hoping to use it to drum up interest for an even bigger project that is in the pipeline. Jane added: "What it does show is a potential cooling off in the relationship between Netflix and Harry. It’s possible that Netflix had first refusal of the Documentary and let it go. They may be moving away and severing ties. Alternatively it could be a power move of Netflix if they have something even bigger in the works with Harry.

Harry and Meghan have a huge Netflix deal (Netflix)

"So it’s going to be either one extreme or the other - either Netflix is not interested in Harry anymore OR they have something else in the works that they are putting all their attention in and they don’t want to dilute their attention with a different show." Jane also described the move as a good "opportunity" for Disney owned streaming service Hulu.

Discussing the possible business benefits of collaborating with Harry for an interview and focusing on his hugely successful Invictus Games Jane concluded: "On the other side - This is also an opportunity for Hulu which is owned by Disney, to get into the “Harry business” which is still a massive audience, as shown by this interview in fact."

Jamie Roberts