Barack, Michelle Obama Leaving Spotify -- Is It Money Issues?

By Liz Rowe

Michelle Obama, Barack Obama Podcast — (Photo : Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Barack and Michelle Obama have ended their relationship with Spotify.

According to Bloomberg, they will leave the platform after their contracts expire in October.

The former first couple's exclusive podcast partnerships with the streaming behemoth have expired, and they have no plans to extend them.

Higher Ground, their production firm, is apparently searching for a partner who would allow them to make shows and distribute them not just on their platform but also on others.

The Joe Rogan fiasco in February may have influenced their decision not to pursue another exclusive partnership with a single platform.

Spotify is currently seeking exclusivity from big individuals to promote its platform, which is likely why it rejected to make a new contract offer.

Higher Ground is currently in talks with several additional possible partners, including iHeartMedia and Amazon's Audible, for a transaction worth tens of millions of dollars.

Barack and Michelle Obama are planning to feature in an eight-episode series, so fans may expect programs with a limited number of episodes.

How Much Did They Get Paid for the Obama Podcast on Spotify?

Barack and Michelle Obama revealed in 2019 that they have teamed with Spotify to offer exclusive podcasts in a rumored $25 million contract.

Their agreement came amid a flurry of post-presidency commercial accords, including a Netflix pact to develop movies and series with Higher Ground, as well as a record publishing deal with Penguin Random House for numerous books and events for Live Nation.

The Obamas were able to share "The Michelle Obama Podcast" as well as Barack's performance with Bruce Springsteen.

Disagreements between Hight Ground and Spotify, on the other hand, were first reported in February. The platform compelled the Obamas to appear in numerous shows rather than just one eight-episode limited series apiece.

As a result, the pair concentrated on supporting lesser-known voices on their podcast roster, which included "Tell Them, I Am" and "The Big Hit Show."

What Will Happen to The Obamas' Podcasts After the Deal Is Done?

Even if Barack and Michelle Obama's podcasts continue to be distributed by Spotify if Higher Grounds reaches a non-exclusive arrangement with another company, their departure would be a huge blow to the platform.