Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s empire is ‘crumbling’ as Spotify ends podcast deal
Stars Of Hollywood
2023-06-17
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s American media empire is beginning to “crumble,” royal experts claim.
Following the shocking news that Spotify will not be renewing Markle’s “Archetypes” podcast, two monarchy mavens say this could be just the start of a downfall.
Biographer Angela Levin told the Sun that the pair’s “value isn’t as high as it was once” and predicted that their future projects will be “a disaster.”
She also tweeted regarding their Spotify departure, “A significant cross road for Harry and Meghan. Ouch!”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams seconded Levin’s assessment, calling the end of the Sussexes’ lucrative podcast deal an abject “failure.”
“The idea was that several series would be produced,” he told the Sun. “Since only one was, there’s no doubt the contract could be considered a failure. Clearly, this relationship hasn’t been as mutually beneficial.”
It was announced Thursday Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, were cutting ties with Spotify a scant three years after signing a $20 million deal.
It was also revealed that Markle’s podcast, “Archetypes,” will not be getting a second season despite garnering high ratings when it debuted last year.
An insider told The Post that the duo didn’t produce enough content to justify their full multi-million-dollar payout.
In a joint statement, Spotify and Archewell Audio — the couple’s company — said they have “mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
Of course, the US-based couple won’t have to clip coupons just yet; they still have a five-year deal with Netflix, reputed to be worth around $100 million.
The former senior royals may not be done with podcasting altogether, however.
“Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform,” an Archewell Productions spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal.
“Archetypes” — which was hosted by the “Suits” alum — was created to “investigate, dissect and subvert the labels that try to hold women back.”
The show produced weekly episodes and featured celebrity guests including Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, and Mindy Kaling.
Markle, who moved to California with Harry after relinquishing their duties as senior royals in 2020, is seemingly intent on becoming a media mover and shaker, having recently signed with talent agency WME in April.
“This deal is about making Meghan a power player in Hollywood,” an insider told Page Six at the time.
“Even though she is, of course, an actress, this isn’t about movies or shows for Meghan to star in, it is about creating projects for her to produce – she wants to run the show.”
Following the shocking news that Spotify will not be renewing Markle’s “Archetypes” podcast, two monarchy mavens say this could be just the start of a downfall.
Biographer Angela Levin told the Sun that the pair’s “value isn’t as high as it was once” and predicted that their future projects will be “a disaster.”
She also tweeted regarding their Spotify departure, “A significant cross road for Harry and Meghan. Ouch!”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams seconded Levin’s assessment, calling the end of the Sussexes’ lucrative podcast deal an abject “failure.”
“The idea was that several series would be produced,” he told the Sun. “Since only one was, there’s no doubt the contract could be considered a failure. Clearly, this relationship hasn’t been as mutually beneficial.”
It was announced Thursday Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, were cutting ties with Spotify a scant three years after signing a $20 million deal.
It was also revealed that Markle’s podcast, “Archetypes,” will not be getting a second season despite garnering high ratings when it debuted last year.
An insider told The Post that the duo didn’t produce enough content to justify their full multi-million-dollar payout.
In a joint statement, Spotify and Archewell Audio — the couple’s company — said they have “mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
Of course, the US-based couple won’t have to clip coupons just yet; they still have a five-year deal with Netflix, reputed to be worth around $100 million.
The former senior royals may not be done with podcasting altogether, however.
“Meghan is continuing to develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform,” an Archewell Productions spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal.
“Archetypes” — which was hosted by the “Suits” alum — was created to “investigate, dissect and subvert the labels that try to hold women back.”
The show produced weekly episodes and featured celebrity guests including Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, and Mindy Kaling.
Markle, who moved to California with Harry after relinquishing their duties as senior royals in 2020, is seemingly intent on becoming a media mover and shaker, having recently signed with talent agency WME in April.
“This deal is about making Meghan a power player in Hollywood,” an insider told Page Six at the time.
“Even though she is, of course, an actress, this isn’t about movies or shows for Meghan to star in, it is about creating projects for her to produce – she wants to run the show.”
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