Meghan and Harry’s Podcast Dream Crumbles: Spotify Deal Goes South

In a surprising turn of events, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have officially pulled the plug on their Archetypes podcast following the collapse of their deal with Spotify.

The streaming giant's chief executive has hinted that the failure stemmed from the show not resonating with listeners.

Launched last year, the podcast aimed to explore and challenge the societal labels that often hinder women's progress.

However, it seems that the ambitious project didn't quite hit the mark.

Spotify's CEO recently opened up about the reasons behind the lackluster performance of the podcast during an interview with BBC's Zoe Kleinman.

He revealed that while some initiatives were successful, others fell flat.

His candid remarks suggested that the streaming service was looking for innovative content that would engage consumers and provide fresh opportunities for creators.

Unfortunately, it appears that Archetypes didn't deliver the desired results.

The Sussexes' podcast journey, which consisted of just 12 episodes over two and a half years, ultimately led to their exit from the £18 million deal in June.

Kleinman pressed the Spotify chief on whether the investment was justified, to which he responded with frustration, highlighting the challenges faced in the partnership.

It's clear that the expectations were high, but the outcome was disappointing.

After their contract ended, Meghan and Harry sought to secure exclusive rights to the name “Archetypes.”

However, their attempts were thwarted by the US Patent and Trademark Office, which ruled that the title could easily be confused with another existing brand.

This setback added to the couple's woes, further complicating their departure from Spotify.

Reports indicate that Spotify's legal team expressed anger over the situation, feeling that the Sussexes had produced only a mediocre show despite receiving millions in funding.

This raised eyebrows among investors, prompting Spotify to justify its decision to hire the royal couple, especially amidst growing tensions in the music industry regarding their lucrative deal.

The relationship between Spotify and the Sussexes has been tumultuous since the beginning.

In fact, the two sides were embroiled in litigation for nearly a year as Spotify sought to reclaim its advance payment.

Sources suggest that Harry and Meghan are hesitant to return to court, likely due to the negative publicity surrounding their partnership.

Interestingly, Spotify's investment in a home studio in Montecito seemed to yield better returns through a live tour than the podcast itself.

Recent sightings of moving trucks at the couple's residence hinted at a possible shift in their content strategy, perhaps indicating a pivot away from podcasting altogether.

As the contract nears its conclusion without a mutual agreement, the possibility of a court battle looms large.

If negotiations fail, the Sussexes may find themselves facing Spotify in a legal showdown.

The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting for both parties.

Adding fuel to the fire, Spotify executives have publicly criticized the couple.

Simmons, who oversees podcast innovation and monetization, took to his own podcast to express disappointment, suggesting that the project should have been launched with different content altogether.