Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's podcast studio, Archewell Audio, has signed an exclusive multiyear Spotify deal despite recent pushback from the royals over the platform's handling of COVID-19 misinformation.
Harry and Meghan's Spotify Deal
A spokesperson for Archewell Audio told The Hollywood Reporter on Mar. 17 that the studio had great conversations with Spotify executives regarding the platform's misinformation policies and practices.
As a result, the studio is pushing forward with the production of their first podcast series, "From the Duchess of Sussex," slated for release this year.
In January, musicians like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young left Spotify in protest of COVID-19 misinformation that is produced by Joe Rogan's podcast. The royals, through an Archewell Foundation spokesperson, said that they had expressed concerns to Spotify about this ongoing problem.
The Archewell Foundation representative said that they have continued to express their concerns to Spotify to make sure that there are changes on the platform to address the misinformation about the public health crisis.
The representative added that they are looking at Spotify to meet this moment and are committed to continuing their work together as it does.
Despite the backlash, Spotify still added content advisory labels to podcasts that feature COVID-19 discussions and published its platform rules, according to Variety.
Still, the problem created by Rogan's podcast was enough to compel podcasters like Roxane Gay to pull their shows from the platform, while Ava DuVernay's "Array" exited its first-look deal with the platform.
Since announcing its exclusive deal with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2020, Archewell Audio has only released one show, a holiday special with guests like Jose Andres, Stacey Abrams, Deepak Chopra Brene Brown, Elton John, James Corden, Naomi Osaka, and Tyler Perry.
Since then, Archewell has hired Rebecca Sananes, formerly the lead producer for VOX Media and New York Magazine's Pivot podcast, as their head of audio.
Meanwhile, producer Ben Browning also joined in 2021 as head of content for Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions.
Spotify Has Waited for the Royals' Podcast
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a $30 million deal with Spotify in 2021, but there was no content given since the deal was signed. This now led Spotify to take matters into their own hands and begin facilitating productions for the two royals.
According to Forbes, a source close to the project said that the platform has been waiting a long time for some content from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and now it seems that they have taken matters into their own hands.
Spotify hired a raft of in-house talent to ensure that they squeeze something out of them as they bid to honor their contract.
At least 11 companies have been added to the pair's media empire since April 2020, including the audio and visual production arms Archewell Audio and Archewell Production.
All of the companies are stationed in Delaware, a renowned tax haven. The companies have been used to hold IP, trademarks, and develop work through.
The platform pushing for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's content came after Spotify announced they would expand the market to 80 more countries.
In 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed a $150 million deal with Netflix.
Related Article: Prince Harry Starts First Job in Tech Startup as 'CIO:' How Much is His Salary?
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
