“CBS Presents Oprah with Meghan and Harry” will air in the United States on Sunday, March 7, from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET. In the UK, the interview will air on ITV on Monday, March 8, at 9 pm local time.
How can I watch the interview?
Viewers in the United States can watch the interview on CBS broadcast stations or online at CBS.com.
Why is Oprah interviewing Harry and Meghan?
Oprah is friendly with the couple: she attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018, and Winfrey helped the couple establish themselves in the community. Previously, she partnered with Harry on a mental health documentary for Apple TV +.
Oprah has long-standing business ties to CBS, but has kept control of the interview the entire time through his production company, Harpo. His company drafted the interview plan and presented it to CBS.
Harpo and CBS announced their debut in the United States, and then ViacomCBS Global’s global distribution arm aligned other international broadcasters from Australia to Switzerland.
Why is the interview taking place now?
The couple has remained silent over a sea of controversy surrounding their contentious relationship with the royal family, but they seem ready to speak up.
“[The Duchess] and the Duke must speak openly and honestly about his experience in recent years, “said Harry and Meghan’s spokesman in a statement last week.
Still, the interview took years to complete: although the CBS interview was announced on February 15, in a pre-release clip released Friday, Oprah said he spoke to Meghan about a potential interview three years ago in February or March 2018 – even before royal wedding.
“I remember that conversation very well,” said Meghan. “I wasn’t even allowed to have this conversation with you in person, right.” She indicated that the communications team at Buckingham Palace was present.
“I couldn’t have said yes to you then,” said Meghan. “That was not my choice. So, as an adult who lived a really independent life – entering this construction that is … different from what I think people imagine – it is really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege to to be able to say yes. I mean … I’m ready to talk. “
Why is this interview important?
There has been tension between the couple and the palace for years, and the pair is expected to reveal some revealing details about their experiences.
In a preview, Meghan said, “I don’t know how they could hope that after all this time, we would still be silent if there was an active role the company is playing in perpetuating lies about us.”
What does this interview mean for CBS?
– CNN Chief Media Correspondent Brian Stelter contributed to this report