A Podcast Deal Gone Awry
1. Bill Simmons’ Outrage
Bill Simmons, Spotify’s head of podcast innovation, expressed frustration at the collapse of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Spotify deal, lamenting the missed opportunity to collaborate on a podcast.
1.1 The Disintegration of the Spotify Deal
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a $20 million deal with Spotify in 2020, but the venture faltered, producing only 12 episodes of Markle’s “Archetypes” podcast.
2. A Multimillion-Dollar Netflix Misfire
The couple’s Netflix deal, reportedly worth $100 million, yielded limited results, with only a documentary series, “Harry & Meghan,” and a couple of other projects materializing.
2.1 The “Heart of Invictus”
One of the few productions from the Netflix deal, “Heart of Invictus,” focused on Prince Harry’s games for wounded warriors, premiered in 2022, but little else followed.
3. Hollywood Fallout: Control and Conflict
Insiders suggest that the Sussexes’ iron-fisted control and inexperience have soured their relationships in Hollywood, resulting in a series of failed projects and executive departures.
3.1 Turmoil at Archewell Productions
The couple’s production company, Archewell, has seen a revolving door of executives and a reputation for difficult collaboration due to their insistence on control.
4. Unfulfilled Promises
Despite fanfare surrounding projects like “Pearl” and “Meet Me At The Lake,” cancellations and delays have plagued the Sussexes’ media ventures, leaving many projects in limbo.
A Hollywood Hurdle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s foray into media production has been marred by setbacks and controversy, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from royalty to Hollywood.
