Netflix announced that the new documentary series featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s life with the royal family and their decision to quit royal duties has become Netflix’s biggest documentary debut.
According to Netflix, the “Harry and Meghan” series received over 81 million viewing hours worldwide in the first four days since its release last Thursday.
Announcing the phenomenal performance of the highly anticipated documentary, Netflix said at a press conference on Tuesday, December 13, that it marked the highest viewing hours of any Netflix docuseries during its premiere week. The streaming giant was outlining the top-performing shows on the platform for the week that ended on Sunday, December 11.
Netflix released the first three episodes of the documentary, Volume 1, on December 8, with the final episodes released December 15.
More than 28 million households tuned in to watch the series, and it was the second most-watched series in the English language between Monday, December 5, and Sunday, December 11.
“Wednesday,” which is Tim Burton’s Adam’s Family drama, surpassed it, recording 267.67 million views.
“Harry and Meghan,” which Netflix promoted as an unprecedented and in-depth docuseries, was among Netflix’s Top 10 shows list in more than 80 countries. It was the number one English language series in the UK and number two in the US and Australia.
By comparison, people were more interested in the tell-all documentary than in the hit series “The Crown,” which has recorded 18.9 million views.
In the first episodes, the Duke and Duchess share the beginning of their relationship, revealing new details about how they met in 2016 via a mutual friend, their escapades and dates, and how they navigated media and kept their relationship private for almost a year.
The couple also talked about the British media harassment of Meghan and her family, and Meghan recalled receiving her first death threat. The second installment delves into the circumstances that made the couple quit their royal duties and move to the US.
The first installment fell short of bombshells about the royal family as the couple didn’t share any juicy secrets and feuds, although they hinted at coming attractions that would be more enticing.
The beginning of the first episode had an announcement that the royal family declined to be included in the series.
The second installment includes Princess Diana’s controversial Panorama interview, despite Prince William’s firm stance that it should never be shown publicly again. Viewers are hungry for derogatory revelations about the royal family, especially the brotherly feud between Prince Harry and Prince William.
Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly signed a $100 million deal with Netflix for their production company, Archewell Productions, to produce scripted TV shows, children’s programs, and documentaries for the streaming giant.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess hit back at critics who think the couple is oversharing, saying the couple did not leave their royal duties in order to seek privacy. Their Global Press Secretary noted that Harry and Meghan never cited privacy as a reason for leaving, and the narrative was being used to manipulate them into silence.
