The collaborative effort between Spotify and Harry and Meghan has only resulted in a 12-episode podcast series called “The Prototype.”
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Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s partnership with the streaming platform appeared to end prematurely on Friday, with Spotify executive Bill Simmons describing the couple as “cheaters”.
The partnership with Harry and Meghan’s production company Archewell Audio was first announced in December 2020, with Spotify initially describing it as a “multi-year partnership”, delivery promise “Podcasts that inspire.”
However, the collaborative effort only resulted in a 12-episode podcast series, “Prototype,” in which Meghan interviewed high-profile guests including Serena Williams and Mariah Carey.
The deal was widely reported at the time to be worth about $20 million.
“Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we have produced together,” Spotify and Archewell Audio said in a joint statement.
This isn’t the first time Spotify’s head of podcast innovation and monetization, Bill Simmons, has made disparaging remarks about the former working royal, having previously said he was “embarrassed” about sharing the Spotify platform with Harry.
“Shoot this guy into the sun, I’m fed up with this guy,” Simmons said on his podcast of the same name in January.
Simmons has faced trouble before for expressing controversial opinions, including in 2014, when he was suspended by ESPN for commenting on a domestic violence case.
CNBC declined to comment on Simons’ comments when contacted by Spotify. Archewell Audio did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.