Spotify and Archewell Audio, the podcast production company owned by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have terminated their commercial partnership following the release of just one podcast series. The decision to end the collaboration was announced on Thursday by Spotify and Archewell Audio, who expressed their pride in the series they created together but did not provide any specific reasons for the split.
The deal, which began less than a year ago with Markle’s debut podcast “Archetypes,” aimed to explore the challenges faced by women and featured notable guests such as Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, and Mindy Kaling.
When the partnership was established, Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, commended Prince Harry and Meghan as global citizens committed to amplifying underrepresented voices.
However, after the termination of the partnership, Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, criticized the couple, referring to them as “grifters” on an episode of his podcast. Simmons, known for his outspoken nature and previous tenure at ESPN, expressed regret at not being involved in the negotiation process and shared an anecdote about a Zoom conversation he had with Prince Harry regarding podcast ideas.
Simmons, who is also the founder of The Ringer, a sports and pop culture website and podcast network acquired by Spotify in 2020, expressed his disappointment over missing out on the opportunity to assist Prince Harry.
In December 2020, Spotify initially announced an exclusive “multiyear partnership” with Prince Harry and Meghan, focusing on the production of uplifting and entertaining stories through podcasts and shows for Spotify’s vast audience.
Additionally, the couple has a multiyear deal with Netflix to create children’s programming, documentaries, feature films, and scripted shows.
Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, relinquishing access to the British Crown’s estimated $34 billion estate. Their combined net worth, as estimated by Forbes, amounts to $10 million, which includes Harry’s inheritance from his mother, Princess Diana, and the equity they hold in their California mansion.
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