Spotify exec calls Harry and Meghan ‘grifters’ after podcast deal comes to early end

Spotify executive Bill Simmons called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “discontenters” after their partnership with the streaming platform appeared to have ended prematurely on Friday.

First announced in December 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s partnership with production company Archwell Audio was initially described by Spotify as a “multi-year partnership” and promised “inspirational podcasts” It had been.

But the collaboration resulted in just one 12-episode series of podcasts, the “Archetypes” series, in which Meghan interviews high-profile guests such as Serena Williams and Mariah Carey.

The deal was widely reported to be worth around $20 million at the time.

“Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series they have created together,” Spotify and Archewell Audio said in a joint statement.

It’s not the first time Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, Bill Simmons, has made disparaging remarks about the former royal family, and has previously been “embarrassed” to share Spotify’s platform with Prince Harry. said.

“Shoot this guy into the sun, I’m sick of this guy,” Simmons said in a self-titled podcast in January.

Simmons has had his share of controversial outbursts in the past, including being suspended from ESPN in 2014 for remarks on domestic violence.

Spotify declined to respond to Simmons’ remarks when contacted by CNBC. Archewell Audio did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.