After Netflix, Harry and Meghan sign contract with Spotify
After their spectacular emancipation from the British royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are continuing partnerships with global streaming platforms. Now settled in California, the couple has just signed a contract for several years with the Swedish giant Spotify. This alliance was made through Archewell Audio, the audio production company newly formed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to ensure the creation of their podcasts. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As part of this partnership, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will produce several exclusive podcasts that will be broadcast only on Spotify, the world leader in the sector with 320 million monthly active users, including 144 million paying subscribers. Their first audio creation will be unveiled at the end of the month. This is a "holiday special" podcast that will feature "stories of hope and compassion" with "inspiring guests to celebrate the New Year," Spotify reports. “With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do it (Editor's note: launching into podcast production), because when we listen to each other and hear each other's stories, it reminds us how interconnected we are all, ”said The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Spotify, $ 800 million invested in podcasts in two years
For the Swedish platform, this is a nice shot as it has agreed to make heavy investments to diversify its offering and thus offer content that is not limited to music. To compete against the competition, including Apple Music, Spotify has entered the booming podcast market.
In this context, Daniel Ek's firm has invested more than $ 800 million in the sector over the past two years. The Scandinavian company notably got its hands on the American host Megaphone for 235 million dollars, the producer of podcasts Gimlet Media for 200 million dollars or even Anchor, a company which provides production and monetization tools to the creators of podcasts. , for $ 140 million. Spotify also spent more than $ 100 million for exclusive distribution and advertising sales related to the podcasts of successful US producer Joe Rogan.
In the wake of the Obamas
Besides Joe Rogan, Spotify also hit hard this year by signing an agreement with Michelle Obama, who launched her podcast on the Swedish platform last July. The former First Lady offers a series of interviews with her relatives, the first of which is none other than Barack Obama, her husband and former President of the United States. The Obamas seem to be an important source of inspiration for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
And for good reason, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signed contracts with Spotify and… Netflix. Like the Obamas. Indeed, Prince Harry and his wife will produce films, series and documentaries for Netflix. And to work optimally, the princely couple, who officially cut ties with the British royal family last April, did like Barack and Michelle Obama: create a production company. After Higher Ground, here is Archewell Audio. Barely established in the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have already successfully applied the recipe of former White House tenants.
