Audio By Carbonatix
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are ending their exclusive podcast deal with Spotify.
In 2019, the Obamas Higher Ground production company inked a three-year agreement for an undisclosed amount.
According to Bloomberg and The Los Angeles Times, the couple will not be renewing their contract, which ends in October, and they are now seeking a new home for their podcasts.
Sources report the two are in talks with iHeartMedia Inc. and Amazon’s Audible for deals worth tens of millions of dollars. Spotify was also part of the conversation, but ultimately “declined to make an offer.”
In the Bloomberg report, sources said that Higher Ground disagreed with the streaming giant about the terms of the deal, including exclusivity leading to a limited audience and the number of shows featuring the Obamas. They are reportedly seeking wider production and distribution on multiple platforms in their next deal.
Since partnering, Spotify has produced five Higher Ground podcasts. “The Michelle Obama Podcast,” which debuted in July of 2020, was the fourth most popular podcast that year. “Renegades: Born in the USA,” featuring conversations between the former commander-in-chief and Bruce Springsteen, debuted the following February.
Reports that the Obamas were looking for a new platform emerged in early February, with The Independent stating that they were having difficulties getting shows greenlit by Spotify.
The Swedish streaming platform has shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars on exclusive deals with podcasts like “Call Her Daddy,” “The Joe Rogan Experience” and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Audio company.
Elsewhere, Higher Ground holds a multi-year deal with Netflix, under which they produce scripted and unscripted documentaries, docuseries and features. Their slate includes the Oscar-nominated documentaries “Crip Camp” and “American Factory” and the Emmy-nominated documentary special “Becoming.”
Spotify and Higher Ground did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Latest Stories
-
Zambia scraps taxes on Fugu from Ghana for personal use following social media drama
29 minutes -
Gunfire silences prosperity as PLO Lumumba warns of ‘bleeding’ African continent
2 hours -
African Leaders must shift from speeches to action – P.L.O Lumumba
2 hours -
Ace Ankomah demands radical overhaul of Ghana’s science and innovation sector
3 hours -
Trump signs executive order threatening tariffs for countries trading with Iran
3 hours -
From Hollywood to the homeland: Why African countries are courting black American stars
3 hours -
Ambulance service slams ‘taxi transfer’ of newborn as viral negligence claims debunked
3 hours -
High stakes in Ayawaso East as NDC delegates head to the polls today
4 hours -
Youth unemployment is the biggest threat to Africa – Gabby
4 hours -
Minority demands urgent Finance Minister summons as ‘Agbogbloshie’ prices ignite parliamentary clash
5 hours -
Baba Jamal’s highest will be 38% in Ayawaso East NDC primary – Mussa Dankwah
5 hours -
Stranded beans and staggering debts: Ghana’s cocoa sector faces systemic crisis
6 hours -
Chief Justice sets up special courts for corruption and galamsey
6 hours -
Airport renaming and inflation trends to take centre stage on Joy Prime’s Prime Insight this Saturday
7 hours -
Ghana losing long-term investment capital over absence of Limited Partnerships Law – GVCA CEO
8 hours