Harry & Meghan Sign Multi-Year Archewell Audio Deal with Spotify

Have you been hoping Harry and Meghan would host a podcast series? I know I have. It's a medium I very much hoped they would tap into to. They are both excellent speakers and, I think, both very excited to amplify their voices in new ways. We're also eagerly awaiting news on Archewell and how the couple will connect with their global following to share the work and projects they are working on and the inspiring people they meet on their journey. Today, Spotify announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Archewell Audio, a new audio production company by Harry and Meghan which promises inspiring content.

In a joint statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said, "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. 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."

We will see Harry and Meghan hosting and producing content for the media giant, with the first full series scheduled for next year. In the meantime, a taster is in store in the form of a holiday special due to drop later this month. It will feature stories of "hope and compassion" from inspirational guests ahead of the New Year. Click here to hear a teaser from Harry and Meghan. There are some very sweet moments as Meghan asks Harry to begin the introduction after he says, "Shall we start? ladies first?" To which Meghan replies Archewell Audio "sounds really nice with your accent". They introduced themselves simply as Harry and Meghan.

They both sound incredibly excited. People writes:

"So that's what we're up to, and first up..." Meghan said, allowing Harry to finish with, "a holiday special." They then started to sing a little tune together.

"We're talking to some amazing people," Meghan added. "They're going to share their memories that really shape this past year, which has been, as we know, a difficult one for everyone."

Harry continued, "So many people have been through so much pain this year, experiencing loss, a huge amount of uncertainty — but it feels worth acknowledging that 2020 has connected us in ways we have never imagined through endless acts of compassion and kindness."

More from Spotify:

'“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex may live in California, but the power of their voices rests in their status as citizens of the world,” says Spotify Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer Dawn Ostroff. “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.”

The first complete series from Archewell Audio and Spotify is expected next year and will be available to stream for free on Spotify.'

As we've noted before, their path so far very much echoes that of Barack and Michelle Obama who inked a major Netflix deal after their time in the White House. Michelle also signed a deal with Spotify.

More from the Hollywood Reporter:

'There’s been speculation that Harry and Meghan would ink a deal with Spotify since this summer when the couple relocated to California and signed a comprehensive producing partnership with Netflix, which will see them make documentaries, feature films, children’s programming and more. Their path to Hollywood, following the January announcement that they would step back as senior members of the British royal family, has mirrored that of another famous couple, Barack and Michelle Obama. Through their Higher Group shingle, the Obamas also have multi-year deals at Netflix and Spotify, which have led to documentaries American Factory and Crip Camp and interview show The Michelle Obama Podcast.

At Spotify, Meghan and Harry are likely to feature diverse and underrepresented voices. Their first full podcast series is expected to be released next year as part of Spotify’s free, ad-supported product, which reaches 320 million people around the world.

For Spotify, the deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marks another major coup as the company takes on podcast giant Apple. Daniel Ek-led company has made audio-first programming a priority in recent years as it looks to grow beyond its music streaming roots.'

I read several articles of late discussing how this year was very much about preparing Archewell, meeting the right people and planning how they can effect positive change. They also focused on the right commerical partnerships for them, and with both Netflix and Spotify, we're seeing content that perfectly aligns with their philanthropic work. The path to financial independence was perhaps one of the trickiest terrains to navigate this year. Now, they've signed multi-year deals with two major players their future is secure, and this security will enable Archewell to thrive. 2021 is going to be a fantastic year for the Sussexes!