Spotify Deletes Meghan Markle’s Podcast as Stock Value Plummets

In a surprising turn of events, Spotify has removed Meghan Markle's podcast from its platform amidst a significant drop in the company's stock value.

It remains uncertain whether Spotify will renew the archetypes podcast for a second season.

This decision raises questions about Spotify's willingness to associate with individuals like Meghan Markle and those who are easily influenced by her.

Similar to Netflix, Spotify has experienced a turbulent period over the past six months.

Meghan Markle's understanding of the difference between a stereotype and an archetype has come into question.

She selected archetypes for her Spotify podcast, believing it aligned with her brand, Archwell.

However, the term “archetypes” already existed before she coined it, referring to typical characters or tropes.

Meghan's attempt to be perceived as a positive influence on the world led her to combine two words, but it appears her strategy has backfired.

Despite Spotify's struggles, the archetypes podcast has also failed to garner high ratings.

This outcome highlights the consequences of inflating numbers to create an image that surpasses reality.

After their holiday special in 2020 fell short, Spotify pursued Markle and Prince Harry for nearly two years to produce content.

Unfortunately, their efforts have not yielded the desired results.

Spotify's situation is distinct from Netflix's as it focuses primarily on audio content.

Nevertheless, the fact that Spotify's stock value has declined by almost one-fifth since Netflix's disappointing performance indicates a widespread market fear affecting both video and music streaming platforms.

In the last quarter of 2021, Spotify observed a 7% sequential increase in monthly active users (MAUs), reaching 406 million by the year's end.

The company anticipates adding 12 million MAUs in the first quarter of 2022, bringing the total to 418 million.

However, Wall Street predicts that Spotify may struggle to meet this target, estimating an acquisition of only 11 million subscribers during that period.

For the first three months of 2021, Spotify is projected to gain 2.7 million premium subscribers and 7.4 million ad-supported subscribers.

Wall Street's expectations are set at 182.7 million premium subscribers and 243.4 million ad-supported subscribers.

While the ad-supported version of Spotify boasts a larger user base and faster growth rate, it generates significantly less revenue, contributing only 15% to the company's total earnings.

To sustain revenue growth, Spotify must continue expanding its premium subscriber base.

The impact of Spotify's decision to withdraw its premium service from Russia in response to the conflict in Ukraine will be revealed this quarter.

Netflix experienced a decline in subscribers in the country, losing 700,000 in the first quarter alone.

This loss played a pivotal role in Netflix reporting its first decrease in subscribers in over a decade, with a net loss of 200,000 subscribers overall.

Spotify expects to lose approximately 1.5 million premium subscribers in the first quarter due to its stance on the Russian conflict.

Interestingly, Spotify officials believe that Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, could attract more listeners and revenue through his controversial contributions to Meghan Markle's podcast.

The audio streaming giant reportedly seeks ways to involve Prince Harry further in his wife's podcast.

Currently, Prince Harry has only made a cameo appearance alongside Serena Williams in the first episode of The Archetypes.

Royal expert Neil Sean, citing a reliable source, claims that Spotify and the production team desire greater involvement from Prince Harry, as they believe he has the potential to generate substantial attention and increase listenership.

The controversy surrounding Meghan Markle's podcast has led to multiple analysts downgrading the company's shares and a decline in stock prices.

However, Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, has remained resolute, rejecting calls for the company to act as a content censor.

Despite the challenges, Spotify continues to navigate this difficult period with determination.

In conclusion, Meghan Markle's podcast has been removed from Spotify amidst the company's plummeting stock value.

The decision raises concerns about Spotify's association with controversial figures and its ability to attract listeners.

As Spotify strives to recover and expand its premium subscriber base, the impact of geopolitical conflicts on its user base becomes a crucial factor.

Additionally, the potential involvement of Prince Harry in the podcast presents an opportunity for increased revenue but also carries the risk of further controversy.

Spotify's resilience during this challenging time demonstrates its commitment to maintaining its position in the audio streaming market.