When Spotify and Archewell Audio announced they had “agreed to part ways” with Meghan Markle‘s Archetypes podcast in June, fans and non-fans alike were surprised. After all, their deal was reportedly worth $20 million and so the company had invested quite a lot in making the Duchess’ podcast a success.
Now, a few months after the shocking cancelation, Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, is shedding some light as to why the partnership was only one season long. “We thought new innovation was needed to happen here,” Ek said, per Page Six.
“We thought we can come in and offer a great experience that both makes consumers very happy and allows new creators new avenues,” he continued, hinting that the reality was quite different. In other words, it appears that Markle’s podcast failed to make a lasting impression on its listeners.
“And the truth of the matter is, some of it has worked, some of it hasn’t,” Ek continued. “We’re learning from those and we are moving on.”
Overall, however, it seems like the music CEO has no bad blood towards Markle and her husband Prince Harry. “We wish all of the ones we didn’t renew with the best of success they can have going forward,” he added.
In June, Spotify and Archewell Audio’s statement had a similar neutral tone. “Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together,” they said in a joint statement to Deadline.
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Since then, however, not every Spotify executive has had nice things to say about the Sussexes. Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization at Spotify and host of The Ringer podcast Bill Simmons, for example, went on a rant soon after the news went live to air out his complaints.
“I’m so tired of this guy,” Simmons said of Harry. “What does he bring to the table? He just whines about sh– and keeps giving interviews. Who gives a sh–? Who cares about your life? You weren’t even the favorite son.”
“You live in f—- Montecito and you just sell documentaries and podcasts and nobody cares what you have to say about anything unless you talk about the royal family and you just complain about them,” Simmons continued about the pair, whom he said we “f—- grifters.” Talk about brutal!
Before you go, click here to see more of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s milestones since leaving the royal family.
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