Spotify signs podcast deal with Trevor Noah after cancelling Meghan Markle

South African comedian Trevor Noah has been signed as Spotify’s newest podcaster. His podcast – talking to some of the more fascinating people on the planet – is slated to begin later this year.

The news comes hot on the heels of Spotify’s confirmation that they have cancelled their contract with Meghan Markle after she allegedly did not meet productivity targets with her podcast (‘Archetypes with Meghan’).

In fact, Trevor joined Meghan in conversation on the last episode of Archetypes in November ‘22. (You can listen here.)

The UK’s Telegraph newspaper this week said Spotify had inked the deal “with a comedian accused of calling Britain racist as the streaming giant seeks to reboot its podcast programming following an acrimonious split with the Sussexes”.

Spotify made the announcement on stage at a beach event in Cannes, on the French Riviera, where the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is currently being held.

The streaming platform said the podcast will “feature in-depth and freewheeling conversations between Trevor and some of the most influential and interesting figures around the world”, and said that “partnering with Trevor Noah, one of the world’s most brilliant and distinctive voices, will make for captivating storytelling that will delight our more than 100 million podcast listeners around the world”.

Trevor, who was in Cannes for the announcement, said: “It’s really exciting to be joining Spotify on a fun new adventure where we’ll engage in interesting and meaningful conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating people”.

He jokingly added: “We’ll also probably fix every single issue humankind has ever faced so you definitely want to join us for every episode.”

The weekly podcast will blend Trevor’s signature humor and razor-sharp wit with his global perspective to deliver a unique take on the hottest and most captivating topics of the moment, said Spotify in a statement.

Julie McNamara Spotify VP, Head of Global Podcast Studios, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Trevor to create an original podcast that seamlessly combines his unique humor, insightful commentary, and consummate interview skills on a global scale.”