Meghan Markle And Spotify Part Ways Amid $20 Million Deal

Meghan Markle’s “Archetypes” Spotify podcast will not be renewed for a second season as the audio business revamps its podcasting strategy. Following conversations, the show’s producers have been informed that the second season will not go forward.

The Archetypes podcast is Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s only production for Spotify after reaching a deal worth roughly $20 million (£ 15.6 million).

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Despite the scale of the arrangement, the couple apparently has not exceeded the productivity goals required to get the complete payoff from the deal, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The discontinuation of Meghan Markle’s podcast comes as Spotify announces major layoffs and a shift in its podcasting strategy.

The firm laid off 200 individuals last week, including several audio engineers, as it turns its focus to providing creative tools to podcasters rather than producing original content.

Following the discontinuation of the show, an Archewell spokesman stated, “The Archetypes team remains proud of the podcast they created at Spotify.” Meghan is working on new content for the Archetypes audience on another platform.”

The split was confirmed by the Duke and Duchess. “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together,” a spokeswoman for the partnership stated.

The Archetypes podcast explored labels that keep women back. Archetypes quickly became one of the most-listened-to podcasts on Spotify.

Paris Hilton, Mindy Kalin, Serena Williams, Trevor Noah, and Mariah Carey were among the many celebrity guests on the show.

Following the success of the first season, Archewell executives and Spotify discussed a second season of Archetypes, but they were recently informed that it will not be renewed.

The podcast was part of a $20 million contract agreed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Spotify Technology in late 2020.

The Archetypes was one of the numerous projects Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on since moving to the United States in 2020, including a Netflix documentary series and Spare, and Prince Harry’s explosive memoir.

Archetypes premiered in August 2022 and ran for 12 episodes, including a Christmas special, covering a wide range of topics with celebrity guests.

Archetypes earned an award in addition to being popular among Spotify users. Meghan was honored as the best Entertainment Podcast Host at The Gracie Awards for her contributions to the project.

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The prize recognized exceptional original material that simultaneously entertains and informs engagingly and honestly.

Meghan commended the Archetypes team for their efforts on the project in a statement on Archewell’s website. “Thank you to the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation for this prestigious honor,” she remarked.

“This is a shared success for me and the Archetypes team, most of whom are women, and the inspiring guests who joined me each week.”