The Duchess of Sussex’s deal with Spotify has ended after only one series following a mutual agreement between the royals and the streaming giant.
The parting of the ways was confirmed by a joint statement from Archewell Audio, the couple’s content creation label, and Spotify.
Meghan hosted only one series as part of the deal – 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.
Royal expert Tessa Dunlop says the axing of the deal was "predictable" since the couple have reportedly not met the productivity benchmark required to receive the full payout agreed in their 2020 deal.
It follows claims the Sussexes planned to stop releasing content discussing the royal family because there is “nothing left to say”, as the couple seeks to replace their “era of visibility” with a “year of reconciliation”.
But the axing of the podcast isn't likely to impact Meghan, "far from it," in fact, Tessa told the Mirror
She added: "In April when all eyes were on the coronation the Duchess signed with a new talent agency WME, which promises to build 'her business ventures across multiple facets...including film and television production.'
“They are also representing Archewell, the couple's content creation label. Meghan means business, but only on her terms.
“Much like her highly curated lifestyle in the couple's designer LA mansion, Meghan's business model is a few highly choreographed products and appearances.
“Despite her promise, during the Archetype series we didn't get to see 'the real me' (the product was heavily scripted) but its record-breaking downloads did prove that Meghan has a staggering global reach.
“As we speak, WME is hunting down a new home for that enormous Archetypes audience.
“The Obamas proved that such a shift is possible - America's former first couple recently jumped ship from Spotify to Amazon's Audible.
“Apparently there had been discord over how many Spotify episodes the couple would appear in.
“Presumably Audible gives them more control. Which is exactly what Meghan wants.
“Even the Royal Family might take heart. After all last month the Sussexes promised that they had nothing left to say about their time in The Firm.
“If things go according to plan former actress and Hollywood stalwart Meghan will soon be making a few high end celebrity-based products on a new platform minus any royal input. “Which begs the question, what about Harry?
“Adjustment to a new life in tinsel town was always going to be harder for the prince.”
Tennis star Serena Williams, singer Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and actors Mindy Kaling and Constance Wu were among the guests to appear on the highly-lauded series.
Harry and Meghan signed the 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.
Tessa told the Mirror: "Less is more - unless you are in the podcast business and then the reality is a daily grind - just ask Joe Rogan, Spotify's biggest star.
“Last year Meghan Markle's bespoke Archewell podcast Archetypes briefly dethroned Rogan's to become the number one download in the world.
“'Briefly' was the problem here. For a reputed $20m it took the Duchess of Sussex three-and-a-half years to deliver twelve episodes examining labels which hold women back and featuring her famous contacts including Serena Williams and Mariah Carey.
“But Spotify, which is haemorrhaging money and staff, depends on high turnover with multiple episodes.
“In other words the 'mutually agreed' parting of ways was predictable. Spotify and the Duchess were never natural bedfellows Meghan Markle is anything but prolific.
“Initially she promised Spotify to 'talk and be unfiltered' but the end product was heavily produced and time-consuming to make."
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.”
