Prince Harry, Meghan Markle to host and produce podcasts for Spotify

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are set to produce and host podcasts under a new deal with streaming giant Spotify.

The couple’s Archewell Audio production company entered a multiyear deal with Spotify to create several podcasts that aim to “build community through shared experience, narratives and values,” according to a press release.

The two will host a holiday special to bring in the new year, interviewing guests who will share “stories of hope and compassion.” They will release the very first podcast series under the partnership sometime in 2021.

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” the Duke and Duchess said in a joint statement. “With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.”

Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer, welcomed the partnership. 

“That they are embracing the extraordinary capacity of podcasts on Spotify while also seeking to elevate underrepresented voices is a testament to their appreciation for the potential of audio storytelling. We are proud to partner with The Duke and Duchess and look forward to listeners hearing directly from them and the other creators that they will be elevating via our global platform,” she said.

Earlier this year, the royal couple entered a multiyear deal with Netflix to create documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and children’s programming.

“Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope,” they said then.

Last year, former President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama launched their own collaboration with Spotify and have since rolled out “The Michelle Obama Podcast.”

Spotify is home to nearly 1.9 million podcasts and has more than 320 million users, Variety reported.