Clare Sillery, the woman responsible for overseeing the BBC’s documentary programming, has stated that the approach taken by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their Netflix series, “Harry & Meghan,” would not have been acceptable at the BBC. Sillery explained that as a public broadcaster, the BBC cannot relinquish editorial control, which sets it apart from platforms like Netflix where individuals have more control over their own narratives.
Sillery emphasized the importance of maintaining editorial standards and meeting the expectations of the audience. While acknowledging that online platforms allow for greater control over content, she highlighted that viewers paying the BBC license fee have certain expectations regarding the editorial integrity of the content they consume.
The discussion around the documentary series has raised questions about the level of editorial control exercised by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, particularly in their collaboration with Netflix through their production company, Archewell Productions. The involvement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the project has sparked debates and discussions surrounding the nature of the series.
Overall, Sillery’s comments highlight the differences between public broadcasters like the BBC and streaming platforms like Netflix when it comes to editorial control and audience expectations.