Spotify Ends Lucrative Podcast Deal with Harry and Meghan: What Went Wrong?

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, ended their Spotify podcast partnership. The couple, who had a lucrative contract to create podcasts, disclosed the termination of the deal in a statement issued on Thursday.

Both Spotify and Archewell Audio, the production business founded by the Sussexes, acknowledged their mutual consent to part ways. In the joint statement, the two companies expressed pride in the series they had jointly developed, according to NBC News.

"Archetypes," the lone series created under the agreement, debuted in August 2022 and was presented by Meghan. In keeping with Archewell Audio's purpose to uplift and amuse listeners while highlighting varied views and fostering a sense of community through shared experiences, the podcast sought to analyze and question the cultural labels placed on women.

Since signing the arrangement in 2020 for an estimated $20 million, Harry and Meghan has only produced a single season under their Archewell Audio podcast banner.

As stated by a Spotify official, the decision implies that Meghan Markle's podcast, "Archetypes," will not be extended for a second season. After the first season's popularity, executives from both organizations considered a second season, but the show's creators were told it would not happen.

According to sources cited by Variety, Spotify had anticipated additional material from Archewell Audio. Harry and Meghan wanted to find a different outlet for their audio projects to move away from Spotify's exclusive distribution.

What Went Wrong?

The podcasting community praised "Archetypes" despite the untimely conclusion of the Spotify contract. At the December Los Angeles People's Choice Awards, the podcast won the best honor. Meghan acknowledged her appreciation for the endeavor, calling it a labor of love that allowed her to talk deeply with motivational speakers.

A spokeswoman for Archewell said that Meghan is actively working on creating new material for the "Archetypes" audience on a different platform.

Initially, it was hoped that the deal between Harry and Meghan and Spotify would result in many series, but ultimately, just one did. According to reports from US media, the contract was modified because "Harry and Meghan" fell short of Spotify's production standards, the BBC reported.

Harry and Meghan have aggressively explored numerous media endeavors since leaving their positions as members of the royal family to establish financial independence. In addition to their podcasting initiatives, the couple released Harry's autobiography, "Spare," and signed a content agreement with Netflix to create various streaming content, including a docuseries examining their connection with the British royal family, per The Guardian.