As CBS is getting ready to air Oprah Winfrey’s explosive and exclusive interview with Megan Markle and Prince Harry on Sunday night, at the 8 p.m. Prime Time slot, it is being said that Oprah could receive up to $9 million for her interview. However, a spokesperson for the couple says that they are not receiving an appearance fee.
According to a report Viacom CBS is paying Oprah Winfrey’s production company Harpo Productions a sum between seven and nine million dollars to air the interview. Under this deal CBS can market its international rights and some deals have already been struck in 17 countries as well as in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The broadcaster is getting one million pounds from ITV, U.K. The amounts received from the other countries are unknown.
The interview will be aired as a two-hour special, with commercial breaks. The Wall Street Journal has reported most of the details that they have obtained from sources familiar with the matter. Each 30-second commercial will cost about $325,000.
It was also reported that negotiations were on with Walt Disney’s ABC and Comcast’s NBC but the company settled with CBS. Oprah is linked with both CBS and the couple through her friend Gayle King. King is one of the most popular stars on the network is also a friend of Meghan. Oprah had attending their wedding, which took place in May 2018.
A spokesman for Prince Harry and Meghan said that there is no appearance fee. No financial donation is being given to any charity of their choice. However, experts mention that the huge publicity that has been generated before and that will continue after the show will boost the $1 billion brand that both of them are planning to build in the nation.
Buckingham Palace and Meghan Markle have been trading barbs against each other in the past. The latest flashpoint from the palace was that it was looking into allegations that Meghan had bullied staff from Kensington Palace during their stay in 2018, resulting in them quitting their jobs.
Meanwhile in a recent clip, Meghan had accused the firm of “perpetuating falsehoods” about her. Many other explosive comments may be heard when the interview finally airs as tensions have been escalating between the royal family and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
