Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Expand Media Empire with Spotify Deal

In December 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, signed a multi-year exclusive podcasting partnership with Spotify through their production company, Archewell Audio. The agreement marked a key step in the couple’s expansion into independent media ventures following their decision to step back from senior royal duties earlier that year. The deal, announced on 15/12/2020, involved producing and hosting podcasts that would be distributed exclusively on Spotify’s platform. Archewell Audio was established as part of the couple’s broader Archewell organization, which encompasses media production and philanthropic initiatives. Spotify stated that the partnership aimed to create programming that would “uplift and entertain audiences around the world,” with a focus on diverse perspectives and shared human experiences. As part of the launch, the couple released a holiday special episode on 29/12/2020, featuring conversations and messages from public figures including Elton John, Tyler Perry, and Stacey Abrams. The episode also included a brief appearance by their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, marking his first public audio recording. The Spotify deal followed a series of media and production agreements pursued by the couple after relocating to the United States in 2020. It positioned Archewell Audio as a new entrant in the global podcasting space, aligning with Spotify’s broader strategy to expand its original content offerings and attract high-profile creators.