Meghan Markle and Harry ‘left to make money’ claims Nicholl
Meghan and Prince Harry announced earlier this month they have signed another multi-year deal with a streaming platform. Three months after saying they had struck a deal with Netflix, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a brief audio trailer on Spotify’s website, in which they detailed their new venture.
One podcast expert and business coach believes this latest deal will be particularly beneficial to the Sussexes, as it will give Meghan and Harry the chance to speak directly to their audience rather than through statements.
Leading podcast launch expert Anna Parker-Naples said: “For Harry and Meghan this is a clever move.
“Podcasting is the fastest growing medium right now, and allows hosts to develop an intimate level of rapport with one listener at a time across the globe.
“Beyond official statements in the press, the duo can get across their own thoughts and takes on what happens around them, and there is no denying the thirst people have to gain insider knowledge into the recent royal debacle.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will ‘get across their own thoughts’ with a podcast (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are to release a holiday special episode of their new podcast (Image: GETTY)
Meghan and Harry will produce and host podcasts “that build community through shared experiences, narratives and values”, Spotify said in a statement.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex highlighted how important it is for them to listen to other people’s experiences and stories, suggesting this will be the drive behind their work with Spotify.
They said in a joint statement: “What we love about podcasting is that it reminds us all to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed they struck a deal with Netflix in September (Image: GETTY)
“With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.”
Meghan and Harry’s partnership with Spotify will see their newly-founded production company, Archewell Audio, create programming exclusively for Spotify.
Ms Parker Naples, author of ‘Podcast with Impact: How to Start and Launch Your Podcast Properly’, highlighted how this exclusive agreement with the Sussexes follows a string of high-profile contracts between Spotify and other famous personalities – including Michelle and Barack Obama and comedian Joe Rogan.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry now live in California (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are no longer senior royals (Image: GETTY)
The deal signed by the TV host with Spotify is believed to be worth £82 million.
Ms Parker-Naples said: “For Spotify, eager to gain a sure footing in the podcasting space, hitherto dominated by Apple, this is one more notch in the belt as significant first.
“The success of purchasing Joe Rogan’s show, the growth of their listenership and now this partnership with Archewell Audio, you can’t ignore that Spotify is fast becoming a driving force in the podcast space.”
Prince Harry and Meghan are to release their first full podcast series in 2021.
Royal engagement rings through the decades (Image: EXPRESS)
However, the couple have announced in the trailer released earlier this month they are to publish a festive special before the end of the year.
This episode, hosted by Meghan and Harry, will feature “stories of hope and compassion” in celebration of the new year.
Speaking about the deal with the Sussexes, Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, said in mid-December: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California but the power of their voices rests in their status as citizens of the world.
“That they are embracing the extraordinary capacity of podcasts on Spotify while also seeking to elevate underrepresented voices is a testament to their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry struck a deal with Spotify (Image: GETTY)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially stepped down as senior royals in late March.
The royals have since worked on projects close to their hearts, including supporting their patronages and getting closer to local organisations involved in the community.
While they have worked to secure profitable deals with Netflix and Spotify, the couple have also continued to work behind the scenes to their yet-to-be-launched foundation, Archewell.
