BBC viewers outraged at ‘needless’ reporting of Harry & Meghan
Harry & Meghan: First look at final three Netflix episodes
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On December 8, Harry & Meghan dropped on Netflix and sent controversial shockwaves across the globe. The six-part series takes a look at their relationship and the decision to step down as working royals. However, the BBC has been slammed by viewers for the coverage of the documentary, with many claiming it is “not news”.
During the latest edition of BBC Breakfast’s Newswatch, presenter Samira Ahmed revealed how many BBC News viewers were left disappointed at the reporting of Harry and Meghan’s latest Netflix series.
She explained: “The mention in BBC news bulletin of a programme the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made for Netflix.
“The series covers their lives and their relationship and makes a number of controversial allegations about other members of the royal family and the media.
“A trailer for it was issued early in the week as part of a build-up to the first episodes of the programme being released on Thursday.
“Here is Clive Myrie introducing part of the trailer on the News at 10. ‘No one knows the full truth, we know the full truth.’
“The words of Prince Harry in a new trailer for his and Meghan Markle’s six-part series which starts on Thursday on Netflix’,” before the trailer was played.
Samira continued: “Jean Hudson from Wiltshire was watching BBC News in Barbados and was not happy.”
A video of the upset viewer began to play, where she slammed the Beebs coverage, saying: “I am deeply shocked and disgusted to see an advertisement for a Netflix programme, made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the BBC News.
“This is not news, it is promoting a money-making venture, by people who have chosen to leave the United Kingdom apparently in search of privacy and safety.
“The BBC should not be promoting a commercial enterprise of this or any kind, it is not news.”
Samira also read the other comments that were made by viewers, with Neil Marshall exclaiming: “What makes anyone think that showing a Netflix trailer on BBC News for Harry & Meghan is anything but a promotion? It’s sensationalist, populist trivia.”
Lorraine Ryan said: “This is needless publicity for them which I am sick to death of hearing about. There is far more important news going on.”
Yvonne Duffy added: “They are private individuals who claimed to want their privacy. Do us all a favour and grant their wish.”
Newswatch contacted the BBC for a comment, to which they said: “Our coverage of the royal family examines and analyses the state of the monarchy, past and present, in which we know audience interest is high.
“The trailer for the documentary from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex highlights new insight into the couple’s decision to step down from royal duties.”
The Netflix series has since become one of the streaming giant’s biggest shows in 2022, after having only released three episodes.
The first episode of the six-part docu-series has recorded 2.4 million views on Smart TV devices so far, with episode two reaching 1.5 million streams.
Episode three achieved 800,000 in the first two days of release, with the latest data coming from an independent audit, supplied by overnights.tv [via Deadline].
The controversial series has also surpassed the previous record set by The Crown’s series five premiere, which dropped earlier this year.
BBC Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One.
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