Meghan Harry Interview: The couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey has led to a bidding race among broadcasters in the UK for the rights to air the CBS special.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s first major interview since 'Megxit' has sparked a hot bidding war in the United Kingdom for rights to air the evidently explosive coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
According to sources of Variety, Comcast-backed pay-TV operator Sky as well as free-to-air players ITV and the BBC are all bidding for the CBS Primetime Special, hosted by Oprah Winfrey. However, streaming platforms Amazon or Netflix are reportedly not in the running.
Furthermore, ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, which will be selling the interview overseas, is looking forward to the interview to land on a free-to-air broadcaster. This would then ensure a significant profile in the country.
It’s highly probable that the interview would land among the UK public broadcasters. ITV, in particular, has a track record of hosting content featuring the British Royals, notably the annual 'Royal Variety Performance', which is attended by senior members of the Royal Family.
The timing of the CBS special could also be a factor in determining who would win the bid. This could prove to be a dilemma for the BBC as BBC One will air the Queen’s annual Commonwealth broadcast on March 7, the same day as the CBS interview. It would be pre-recorded at Windsor Castle and is a part of the Anita Rani-hosted program A Celebration For Commonwealth Day. The broadcast will also feature the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex.
Although the time of broadcast of the annual Commonwealth hasn't been decided as of now, it is believed that it won't be a good option for BBC to broadcast two shows featuring the British royals back to back.
The interview
It was announced last week that Oprah Winfrey will first speak to Meghan Markle in the CBS Special about her life after stepping into royal life, marriage, motherhood, her humanitarian work and much more. The two will then be reportedly joined by Prince Harry to discuss their shift to the United States and their future goals.
Meghan and Harry gave one of their most high-profile interviews to date in Tom Bradby's 2019 ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey. In the interview, the Duke admitted that he and his brother were on 'different paths'. Meanwhile, Meghan got teary-eyed about her critical coverage in the British press. A few months later, they stepped down from their duties as royals and left the country and moved to Canada.
This is the first interview the couple will give post their pregnancy announcement.
Furthermore, Buckingham Palace released a statement on February 19, confirming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not return to take their royal duties. This came after week-long conjectures on the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The statement also read that the couple has informed the Queen that the two will give up their titles and military roles.
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