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    Prince Harry’s ‘Polo’ Fails to Chart, Sparks Criticism


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    Source: Instagram /sussexroyal
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    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, once celebrated for their high-profile Netflix deal, find themselves grappling with another disappointing outcome.

    Their latest Netflix offering, Polo, failed to chart in Netflix’s Top 10 rankings across any major market, including the UK, the US, or globally. Despite their initial commercial success with Harry & Meghan, subsequent projects have struggled to capture audience attention.

    This article delves into the mixed reception of Polo, explores the ongoing challenges faced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and analyzes the broader implications of their Netflix partnership.

    Let’s get started!

    Overview of the Series: What is Polo?

    Polo is a five-part documentary series chronicling the lives of players competing in the U.S. Open Polo Championship. The show explores rivalries, high-stakes drama, and personal challenges within the elite world of polo.

    Despite its potential to bring this relatively niche sport into the mainstream, Polo offers only minimal appearances by Harry and Meghan, who briefly featured during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, a charity event in Florida.

    The show provides a glimpse into the lives of polo players, including moments of familial tension, such as a father-son rivalry. However, critics argue that its portrayal lacks relatability and fails to resonate with broader audiences.

    Critical Reception

    The initial reception of Polo has been overwhelmingly negative. Critics have described the series as disconnected and unrelatable, citing its focus on a sport often associated with privilege and exclusivity.

    Key Criticisms

    1. Disconnect from Broader Audiences
      • The Guardian labeled the series as “unintentionally hilarious,” highlighting the lack of relatability in its portrayal of elite athletes.
      • Eric Schiffer, a reputation management consultant, called it a “pompous portrayal of privilege posing as a documentary.”
    2. Lack of Engagement
      • The Times criticized the show for failing to evoke the emotional stakes found in other sports documentaries like The Last Dance or Welcome to Wrexham.
    3. Minimal Involvement from Harry and Meghan
      • Viewers expecting a personal touch from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were left disappointed by their limited screen time.

    How Polo Fared Against Competitors

    The Netflix Top 10 rankings for the week of December 9-15, 2024, paint a stark picture of Polo‘s performance.

    RankShow TitleViews (Million)Genre
    1Black Doves14.6Spy Thriller
    2Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…8.2Comedy
    3No Good Deed6.0Thriller
    10Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey1.8True Crime
    N/APolo<1.8Documentary
    A tabulated summary of Netflix’s top 10 rankings

    With the 10th-ranked show garnering 1.8 million views, it is evident that Polo failed to meet even this modest benchmark.

    The Decline of the Sussexes’ Netflix Journey

    Harry and Meghan’s partnership with Netflix began in September 2020, marking a significant milestone in their post-royal careers. The couple reportedly signed a multi-year deal worth up to $100 million, sparking immense curiosity about their future projects.

    Notable Projects

    1. Harry & Meghan
      • Released in December 2022, the docuseries revisited their royal exit and drew significant viewership, despite mixed reviews.
    2. Live to Lead
      • This Mandela-inspired series failed to generate substantial buzz, marking an early setback.
    3. Heart of Invictus
      • Focused on Harry’s Invictus Games, the series received limited attention.

    Polo is the latest in a string of underwhelming projects, raising questions about the couple’s ability to produce compelling content.

    Audience Perception

    Public perception of Harry and Meghan has evolved significantly since their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021. Initially hailed as trailblazers carving their path, they now face criticism for their perceived detachment from the realities faced by everyday people.

    Key Perception Issues

    • Privileged Portrayal Critics argue that Polo reinforces stereotypes of privilege, undermining the couple’s efforts to connect with a broader audience.
    • Content Relevance With minimal on-screen involvement and a lack of fresh storytelling, Polo struggles to justify its existence in an increasingly competitive streaming market.

    Future Prospects for Harry and Meghan on Netflix

    The Sussexes’ Netflix deal is expected to conclude in 2025, with a few projects still in the pipeline:

    1. Meghan’s Lifestyle Series
      • Focused on cooking, gardening, and entertaining, this show aims to explore themes of joy and friendship.
    2. Meet Me at the Lake (Speculative)
      • An adaptation of Carley Fortune’s romance novel, though little progress has been reported.

    The couple’s ability to rebound from the disappointment of Polo hinges on these upcoming ventures.

    Harry & Maghen's Netflix show
    Source: Instagram/hrhofsussex

    FAQ section

    What is Prince Harry’s Netflix series Polo about?

    Polo is a five-part documentary series that delves into the world of elite polo players, focusing on their lives, challenges, and the dynamics of the sport. The series aims to provide an insider’s perspective on polo, a sport often associated with wealth and exclusivity.

    Prince Harry, known for his passion for polo, is featured in the series, which was produced as part of the multi-million dollar deal between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Netflix.

    How has Polo been received by audiences and critics?

    Polo has faced significant criticism from both audiences and critics. It failed to enter Netflix’s top 10 in any country, indicating low viewership. Critics have described the series as “tedious,” “mostly boring,” and “destined to fall through the submenus into obscurity at the speed of light.”

    Additionally, it has been labeled a “pompous portrayal of privilege,” suggesting that it does not resonate with a broad audience.

    What impact has the reception of Polo had on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s future projects with Netflix?

    The poor reception of Polo has cast doubt on the viability of future projects by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Netflix. Reports suggest that Meghan’s proposed cooking show may be in jeopardy following the flop of Polo.

    Sources indicate that unless future projects can significantly boost their brand, they might not proceed as planned. This situation has led to speculation that the couple’s future collaborations with Netflix could be limited to single productions rather than series deals.

    What are the main criticisms of the Polo series?

    The main criticisms of Polo revolve around its perceived focus on privilege and lack of relatability. Reviewers have described it as “clattering and niche,” feeling like a “spoof documentary.”

    Additionally, it has been criticized for being a “pompous portrayal of privilege,” lacking the thrill and engagement expected from a sports documentary.

    These critiques suggest that the series does not effectively engage viewers or provide compelling content.

    Why did Polo fail to resonate with viewers despite Prince Harry’s involvement?

    Polo struggled to resonate with viewers due to its niche subject matter and perceived detachment from everyday experiences. Polo is widely seen as an elitist sport, and the documentary failed to address or contextualize this perception in a relatable way.

    Critics also noted the lack of meaningful storytelling or emotional connection compared to successful sports documentaries like The Last Dance or Welcome to Wrexham.

    Additionally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s limited on-screen presence disappointed fans who expected more personal involvement.

    Without a strong narrative or relatable themes, Polo failed to engage a wider audience beyond those already familiar with the sport or the couple’s charitable initiatives.

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    Conclusion

    • The failure of Polo represents a significant setback for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, highlighting the challenges of leveraging royal fame in a competitive entertainment landscape.
    • As they approach the end of their Netflix partnership, the couple faces mounting pressure to deliver content that resonates with audiences worldwide.
    • With upcoming projects offering a chance for redemption, only time will tell whether Harry and Meghan can reclaim their narrative and solidify their place in the streaming industry.
    • For now, the performance of Polo serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of relatability and relevance in modern storytelling.

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