Meghan's recent partnership with Lemonada Media took a hit as her podcast, "Archetypes," failed to garner significant traction, falling short of the top 200 rankings.
The venture, initially hailed as a means to democratize access to archetypal discussions, proved to be less lucrative than anticipated. Lemonada Media, now grappling with a £16 million loss, may rue the decision to enlist the former actress, realizing that accessibility to the content didn't hinge on exclusive deals like theirs.
When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sought independence in the United States, they inked various entertainment deals, including one with Spotify for their podcast series. However, "Archetypes" fizzled after a single season despite notable guests like Serena Williams and Mariah Carey.
Despite this setback, Meghan recently announced a new collaboration with Lemonada Media, which includes distributing the original "Archetypes" series. While the Spotify deal was valued at £18 million, this new agreement is speculated to be significantly less lucrative, potentially around £1.9 million, given Lemonada's smaller revenue compared to Spotify.
Despite Meghan's podcast not making it to the top 200 on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music, it amassed mixed reviews. While it received glowing praise from the Sussex Squad on Amazon's Audible platform, its overall rating remained modest. Feedback highlighted Meghan's dominating presence and self-centered discussions, which hindered engagement with the topics at hand.
Despite efforts to boost listenership through extensive advertising, including in New York, Spotify's attempts to inflate its success were met with skepticism as it failed to break into the top podcast rankings. Claims of it being the number one podcast on Spotify were refuted, with Joe Rogan maintaining his reign at the top.
The initial intrigue surrounding Meghan Markle's "Archetypes" failed to translate into sustained engagement, with listener interest waning over time. While the People's Choice Award allowed multiple entries per day, Spotify's promotional efforts couldn't mask the podcast's underwhelming performance. Despite the hype, it failed to secure a prominent place in the podcast landscape, leaving Lemonada Media to reassess the viability of their investment in Meghan's podcasting endeavors.
