Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come out swinging after their blockbuster announcement that Netflix has agreed to extend its partnership with them.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a highly lucrative deal with the streaming giant in 2020 after stepping down as working members of the Royal Family.
The agreement, valued at £75m over five years, had an expiration date of 2025.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
As the final months of the deal approached, there had been no confirmation from Netflix or the Sussexes that negotiations were underway for an extension, and it appeared that the partnership would be finished at the end of this year.
Getty
|Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come out swinging after their blockbuster announcement that Netflix has agreed to extend its partnership with them.
Prince Harry and Meghan's debut project for Netflix was a staggering success and still ranks as the fifth most-watched documentary of all time on the platform. It is also the most-viewed documentary across the first four days of its release.
However, the couple's follow-up productions have failed to get close to their initial success. Meghan's latest lifestyle series missed the mark with audiences and was panned by critics.
Despite this, a second season of ‘With Love, Meghan’ and a Christmas special are on their way this year. Netflix has also doubled down on its partnership with the Duchess of Sussex's lifestyle brand, As Ever, with a more comprehensive product range set to come.
On Monday afternoon, Prince Harry, Meghan and Netflix issued a joint press release confirming a new multi-year partnership had been struck.
Getty
|Prince Harry, Meghan and Netflix issued a joint press release confirming a new multi-year partnership had been struck.
It contained a statement from the Duchess of Sussex highlighting her pride at expanding her work with the streaming company and the inclusion of her lifestyle brand in the deal.
However, just hours after the announcement, the couple's true feelings were revealed to GB News by a source close to Harry and Meghan.
The insider outlined the deep sense of frustration the Sussexes have felt around the reporting that Netflix were going to decline the opportunity to extend their partnership.
The source added that Meghan and Harry were relieved to put the rumours to bed following inaccurate speculation during the contract negotiations with Netflix when the couple were bound to silence.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Getty
|The source added that Meghan and Harry were relieved to put the rumours to bed following inaccurate speculation during the contract negotiations with Netflix when the couple were bound to silence.
Finally, the Sussex insider made it clear that the fresh agreement showed Harry and Meghan remain "box office" and that the streaming giant would not have struck up a new deal with them if it did not think they would sell.
The new agreement with Netflix is undoubtedly a coup for Harry and Meghan, but actions speak louder than words. Netflix will be expecting the Sussexes to deliver, both in the production of new projects and, more importantly, by bringing in similar numbers to their debut documentary.
The viewing figures will dictate how successful the renewed partnership is and whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex can still be considered box office.