Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's docu-series, "Harry and Meghan," received a nomination for an award from the HCA in the category of Best Streaming Nonfiction Series, alongside other notable shows.
This nomination comes as a welcome boost for Harry and Meghan, who have experienced fluctuations in their popularity and credibility following the release of their tell-all memoir by Harry. While the memoir garnered both praise and ridicule, the HCA's recognition of their documentary highlights their ongoing presence in the entertainment industry.
However, the HCA's nomination and subsequent investigation raise questions about their relationship with Netflix, as they have been known to nominate a significant number of Netflix productions. Some critics argue that the HCA seems to be favoring Netflix with 56 nominations for the 2023 Awards season.
This cozy and transactional relationship between the HCA and Netflix allows the streaming platform to gain recognition and PR for its content, bypassing the biases often seen in traditional studio-dominated awards groups. In return, the HCA receives media coverage and prestige for its awards and entertainment critics.
Shortly after Harry and Meghan received nominations from the HCA, doubts were immediately raised about the legitimacy of their award acquisition. Speculation emerged that the HCA may face legal action and be compelled to revoke Meghan's award. The organization has also been experiencing internal turmoil, with several members, including the president, resigning due to financial and voting concerns.
Despite the recognition received from the HCA, it's worth noting that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's debut docu-series, "Harry and Meghan," failed to secure an Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Series.
The Emmy nominations, announced on Wednesday, included notable projects such as "The 1619 Project" (Hulu), "100-Foot Wave" (HBO), and "Secrets of the Elephants" (National Geographic). The Emmy Awards, considered the highest honors in television, are scheduled to be presented in a televised ceremony in Los Angeles on September 18th.
