Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos believes Meghan Markle’s influence on culture is far bigger than people give her credit for. He pointed to the overwhelming attention her and Prince Harry’s 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan received, noting that even the trailer sparked days of media analysis.
Sarandos highlighted how anything associated with Markle quickly becomes a trend. “The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket behind her on a chair? Gone everywhere. People are fascinated by Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed,” he explained.
Netflix has doubled down on this fascination, recently launching With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle series featuring Markle. The company is also backing her new business, As Ever, which sells items like edible flowers and baking mixes.
Sarandos described Netflix’s involvement as more of a “discovery model,” rather than a deep dive into e-commerce. While not looking to turn into a retail giant, Netflix sees an opportunity to engage fans beyond just streaming. “It’s all an expression of fandom,” he said, explaining that selling consumer products also helps with branding and marketing.
However, he made it clear that Netflix isn’t trying to become the next Disney, stating, “We’re going to be much more part of our fans’ lives than going into Disneyland once every couple of years. And I’m not shitting on Disneyland.” Instead, he compared Netflix’s strategy to Topgolf, where customers return regularly.
As one of the architects behind Netflix’s transformation into a global entertainment powerhouse, Sarandos has overseen massive hits like Stranger Things and Squid Game. He has also secured high-profile partnerships, including deals with Barack and Michelle Obama. Despite facing setbacks like stock dips in 2011 and 2022, he has remained focused on long-term growth. Today, Netflix stands strong with over 300 million subscribers worldwide.
