Netflix audiences seem to prefer Meghan Markle's royal revelations over her kitchen endeavors.
According to Fox News, the Duchess of Sussex's new Netflix series "With Love, Meghan" attracted only 526,000 households in its first five days of streaming, significantly lower than her previous docuseries "Harry & Meghan," which drew 2.1 million households.
The lifestyle show, which premiered on March 4 after delays due to the Los Angeles fires, features Markle sharing her passion for cooking, entertaining, and gardening. The disappointing viewership numbers have sparked discussions about the duchess's marketability beyond royal-related content.
The stark contrast between Markle's two Netflix ventures highlights a notable pattern in viewer preferences. While "Harry & Meghan" dominated headlines with its intimate portrayal of royal struggles, her latest venture into lifestyle content has struggled to maintain similar momentum.
The performance gap extends beyond Markle's shows. Other Sussex-led projects have faced similar challenges, with documentaries like "Live To Lead" and "Heart of Invictus" failing to crack Netflix's top 10 rankings.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield, host of the "To Di For Daily" podcast, offered this assessment:
The transition from Queen of Victimhood and score-settling to Betty Crocker is going to require a lot more than store-bought peanut butter pretzels. I think people have seen for themselves who Meghan Markle is, and they don't like her.
The lukewarm reception raises questions about the couple's $100 million Netflix deal signed in 2020. The streaming partnership aimed to produce nature series, documentaries, and children's programming.
Markle remains optimistic, with plans to launch her lifestyle brand As Ever in spring, maintaining Netflix as a partner. The products will be available through Netflix stores, creating a direct-to-consumer revenue stream.
British broadcaster Helena Chard shared her perspective:
Meghan loves being the center of attention. However, Meghan is disliked by many. She seems so desperate to be someone she isn't. It's simple – the public does not warm up to her. She grates on people's nerves and her inauthenticity is more than cringey, it's intolerable.
Despite current challenges, Markle continues to expand her media presence. Season 2 of "With Love, Meghan" is scheduled for fall release, while her new podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder" debuts April 8 through Lemonada Media.
Industry experts suggest the upcoming releases could determine the future of Markle's partnership with Netflix. The simultaneous filming of both seasons has raised concerns about the inability to incorporate feedback from the first season's reception.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams warns that Netflix might reconsider their arrangement if viewership doesn't improve with future content releases.
The Duchess of Sussex's transition from royal insider to lifestyle content creator has encountered significant viewership challenges with her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan." The show's modest audience of 526,000 households represents a sharp decline from her previous documentary success. While Markle prepares to launch multiple projects, including her lifestyle brand and new podcast, the performance of her upcoming content will likely determine the sustainability of her media ventures.
