Last June, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines when they announced their amicable decision to part ways with Spotify as part of their $20 million podcast deal. However, this seemingly harmonious facade was shattered in early October when Daniel Ek, head of podcast services at Spotify, shed light on what really happened with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
It was revealed that the royal couple had only produced 12 podcasts in two and a half years. Ek diplomatically mentioned that while Spotify aimed to bring joy to its consumers, Rogue Royals’ content did not live up to expectations. On a more direct note, Bill Simmons, a prominent figure in the podcasting world, called Harry and Meghan “scammers” in June.
More specifically, the couple had failed to fulfill their end of the bargain, with Meghan’s “Archetypes” series failing to generate enthusiasm and Harry allegedly suggesting ideas deemed laughable, according to an inside source.
Although the Sussexes have not publicly addressed this setback, it is undoubtedly a humbling experience for them. Following these events, Meghan Markle appears to have plans for a return to podcasting, even after her multi-million dollar deal with Spotify fell through this year.
Reports suggest she may relaunch her popular podcast, “Archetypes,” but this time on Audible, an Amazon-owned platform that competes with Spotify. This potential deal with Audible is said to be worth millions, and despite Spotify’s previous setback, Audible’s audience might be interested in Harry and Meghan’s deals.
The royal couple is revamping and refocusing their efforts to establish themselves and their production company as major players on various media platforms. They are preparing for a comeback in the new year, as revealed by a source cited by the Daily Express. Harry and Meghan’s business advisors are reportedly in discussions with Audible, and Megan’s new team at talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME) is reportedly actively involved in those discussions.
The pair already have a close relationship with Audible, with Harry narrating his memoir on an audiobook, which is currently being offered free to listeners as part of a promotional deal. Audible executives are reportedly excited about the collaboration and interested in a long-term partnership with the Sussexes. Similar to the deal the Obamas made with Audible, any deal with Harry and Meghan would give Audible first right of refusal for all of their future audio projects. However, if Audible refuses, the couple would be free to explore other avenues.
