Harry and Meghan have apparently "nothing left to say" and are set to bring to an end any public interviews or output which is related to the Royal Family.
Former BBC journalist Andrew Neil made claims on Twitter at the weekend that he's been told by sources that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be doing any more podcasts or tell-all Netflix documentaries based on their lives as working royals. Hailing it a "good news story" Neil also claimed they won't be publishing any more books, or chatting about their relatives back in the UK.
The former This Week host wrote on Twitter: "Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex say the pair will stop making self-referential podcasts for Spotify, tell-all Netflix documentaries — plus no more publishing memoirs and sitting down for interviews discussing the royal family, as they have 'nothing left to say'."
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously signed a £18million deal with Spotify under their production company Archwell Audio. The exclusive deal saw Spotify secure Markle's audio series and was considered one of the biggest agreements in podcast history. However, on Friday, we reported that Harry and Meghan had reached a "mutual agreement" with the streaming giant to axe the deal after just one season of the show.
The joint statement from Archewell and Spotify said: “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together.”
While speculations have been made as to why Spotify cut ties with the royal couple, it now appears to be due the company's decision to cut costs after "over-investing".
Spotify has signed a number of exclusive, big money deals with for new podcasts with some of the biggest names in entertainment, announcing estimated £200million-worth of agreements back in 2020. Such series include The Michelle Obama podcast with the former First Lady and it also signed Kim Kardashian.
But three years later, Spotify appears to have changed tact and is axing expensive celebrity signings that don't bring in listeners after spending more than $1billion on exclusive content. They ended their deal with the Obamas last year and the Sussexes are the latest casualty as the music streaming giant attempts to cut costs.
Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek told the BBC that the company had been "overpaying and over-investing". He said: "We're going to be very diligent in how we invest in future content deals.
"And the ones that aren't performing, obviously, we won't renew. And the ones that are performing, we will obviously look at those on a case-by-case basis on the relative value."
Spotify still has controversial entertainer Joe Rogan on their books who signed a $200m deal in 2020. But the hard-working star posts several multi-hour episodes each week with an average audience of 11million listeners.
In sharp contrast, Meghan offered just 13 hours of content last year - 12 episodes of her Archetypes podcast and a holiday special. So it appears when push comes to shove Spotify needs to justify its bottom line.
Meghan now plans to "develop more content for the Archetypes audience on another platform", her spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.
It comes after a top Spotify executive called the royal couple "f***ing grifters". Bill Simmons, Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetisation at Spotify hit out at the pair in an episode of his own podcast released on Friday.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
Harry and Meghan may move back to the UK as royal butler claims it's 'very possible'
Only one person has power to evict Prince Andrew from royal home - and it's not King Charles
Royal's candid confessions - Sophie's struggle, Kate's weakness and William's future fear
Prince Harry addresses 'sadistic' rumour that James Hewitt is his real father
Meghan Markle's subtle social media hints before relationship with Prince Harry went public
