Spotify and Archewell Audio, the podcast production company owned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have decided to end their commercial partnership after completing just one podcast series.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, Spotify and Archewell Audio expressed their pride in the series they created together and mutually agreed to part ways. However, they did not provide specific details about the reasons behind this decision.
The collaboration lasted for less than a year, beginning with the debut podcast series called “Archetypes” by Markle. The episodes delved into the challenges faced by women due to societal labels. Markle featured notable guests such as Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, and Mindy Kaling, aiming to uplift underrepresented voices.
During the initial announcement, Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, praised Prince Harry and Meghan for their global perspective and their commitment to amplifying marginalized voices through their work.
Following the conclusion of the partnership, Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, criticized the couple on his own podcast, referring to them as “grifters.” Simmons shared a story of a Zoom call he had with Prince Harry, where he tried to assist him with a podcast concept. Simmons, a well-known personality formerly associated with ESPN, humorously expressed his regret at not being involved in the negotiation process for Meghan and Harry’s departure from Spotify.
It is worth noting that Simmons is the founder of The Ringer, a sports and pop culture website and podcast network that Spotify acquired in 2020.
Spotify had initially announced an exclusive “multiyear partnership” with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in December 2020. The focus of the collaboration was to produce podcasts and shows that would share uplifting and entertaining stories with Spotify’s vast audience.
Harry and Meghan have signed a multiyear agreement with Netflix to create a wide range of content, including children’s programming, documentaries, feature films, and scripted shows.
In 2020, the couple stepped back from their royal responsibilities, which also meant they were no longer beneficiaries of the British Crown’s substantial estate, estimated to be worth around $34 billion. As per Forbes’ assessment last year, their combined net worth was approximately $10 million, which includes Harry’s inheritance from his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as the equity they hold in their residence located in California.
