Within a week after the release of season 3 part 1 posts began to appear online from anonymous sources on various platforms alleging Netflix had refused some journalists screeners for the remaining episodes of Bridgerton season 3.
Image Credit: Jason Bell
All the sources have claimed that the journalists denied the final episodes are those that provided negative reviews of part 1, but worse, that Netflix said they would reinstate the screeners in return for a positive review and/or a positive story specifically on Penelope and Colin. This raises questions about the ethics of Netflix's PR team, are they punishing journalists for negative reviews? Are they trying to control what the journalists write about the season? Or are Netflix just trying to control the narrative in the media around season 3 as if they are some dictator of a third world totalitarian country?
Understandably a lot of the journalists are not saying much openly as this could cause them to be blackballed, but that this information has leaked could be a bit of a PR mess for Netflix, and worse for Bridgerton season 3. When the reviews for part 2 come out (on release day) then how much can we believe the positive reviews? How do we know if the positive reviews are genuine or if they were given to appease the large streaming corporation?
Whilst this doesn't reflect well on Netflix and their business practices and ethics, it could also backfire on many of the journalists as they could appear to have their integrity compromised by being seen as giving a positive review that may not be earned, all in order to appease Netflix. I do not blame the journalists fully, many are people of colour who will no doubt find it difficult in this business as it is without going up against an organisation like Netflix.
One thing that has been said is that the refusal of screeners for part 2 was done via a PR company on behalf of Netflix. I have unsuccessfully tried to find out if it is the same company that was used previously or not. One source said that the PR company and Netflix were shocked by the negative reviews that part 1 received, and it is believed that instead of journalists receiving screeners that Netflix and the PR team have given them to influencers that are likely to be kinder to Shondaland or are pro Polin.
One journalist on Tumblr (understandably anonymous) stated that many in the industry were still angry with Netflix for pulling screeners, and reinstating if they promised positive coverage on the main love story. This journalist said that many across a variety of outlets are not giving Bridgerton space because of it, and that this is one of the reasons there isn't much hype around part 2 in media. If this is the case, then this could explain some of the social media coverage that is starting to look a little desperate at trying to drum up hype and support for a product that is fast losing its shine.
