Audible Sets First-Look Deal With Obamas’ Higher Ground Company

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have inked a first-look, multiyear audio production deal with Audible through their media company Higher Ground.

The company was initially partnered with Spotify, but the streamer declined to renew the deal when the Obamas reportedly expressed a desire to have their podcasts available on more platforms, and also didn’t want to feature directly in as many podcast projects as Spotify wanted.

Current Higher Ground productions will be available only on Spotify until the fall of this year when the deal expires. The Obamas’ projects on Audible will be available on many more podcast platforms. So far, there hasn’t been any word on any planned podcasts coming down the pipe.

President Obama said in a statement, “At Higher Ground, we have always sought to lift up voices that deserve to be heard – and Audible is invested in realizing that vision alongside us. I’m looking forward to partnering with them to tell stories that not only entertain but also inspire.”

Don Katz, the founder of Audible, celebrated the deal saying, “We are thrilled to welcome two of the most profound voices of moral and intellectual leadership of our times into the Audible fold, and to be able to elevate Presdent and Mrs. Obama’s singular ability to provide hope and uplifting guidance––needed now more than ever––through their voices.”

Higher Ground has produced podcast series including The Michelle Obama Podcast, Renegades: Born in the USA featuring President Obama and Bruce Springsteen, and The Big Hit Show hosted by Alex Pappademas. They also have a very active TV arm, with docuseries Our Great National Parks and kids show Waffles + Mochi as two of their flagship shows.