Harry and Meghan Spotify deal ends as podcast not renewed

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s deal with Spotify has ended after the podcast she hosted was not renewed for a second season.

The parting of ways was confirmed by a statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and Spotify.

Meghan hosted the podcast Archetypes, which ran for 12 episodes from August 2022, chatting to celebrities, historians and experts about the history of stereotypes levelled against women.

Tennis star Serena Williams, singer Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and actors Mindy Kaling and Constance Wu were among the guests.

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The joint statement from Archwell and Spotify said: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”

Harry and Meghan signed a lucrative deal with the audio streaming giant to host and produce podcasts, estimated to be worth around 25 million US dollars (£18 million), in late 2020.

In December, Archetypes won the top podcast award at the People’s Choice Award in Los Angeles.

Meghan wrote on the couple’s Archewell website at the time: “I loved digging my hands into the process, sitting up late at night in bed, working on the writing and creative.

“And I loved digging deep into meaningful conversation with my diverse and inspiring guests, laughing and learning with them.

“It has been such a labour of love.”