Spotify and the former first family’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, won’t pen a new podcast deal, according to a Bloomberg report Thursday.
The Obamas first signed a deal with the music streaming platform in 2019. Since then, Higher Ground has released a handful of podcast shows on Spotify, including The Michelle Obama Podcast and Renegades: Born in the USA. The deal between the two parties is set to expire this year, and they reportedly won’t be renewing their relationship.
Higher Ground is currently negotiating with other potential partners, including iHeartMedia and Amazon’s Audible, Bloomberg said. Higher Ground is seeking a deal that will allow it to release multiple shows on several platforms simultaneously, which is a major reason why Spotify decided not to renew its deal with the Obamas, the news outlet said.
Another limitation is that Barrack and Michelle Obama want to limit their appearances on these shows and are willing to appear in only an eight-episode program, according to Bloomberg.
Michelle Obama said in 2019 that Higher Ground is meant to provide an “opportunity to amplify voices that are too often ignored or silenced altogether.”
Spotify didn’t respond to a request for comment. Higher Ground declined to comment.
