Audiobook downloads in the UK between 2022 and 2023 have increased by 17 percent, The Guardian reported citing data from the Publishers Association. The total number of audiobooks downloaded during the period has jumped from 50 million to 59 million during the period. This has contributed to a 24 percent growth in revenue to £206m in 2023. Total publishing revenue in 2023 made … [Read more...] about UK Audiobook Segment Records 24% Revenue Growth Last Year
Audiobook News
Spotify Introduces Countdown Timers for Audiobooks
Spotify said it is making it easier for listeners to keep track of upcoming audiobook launches using the Countdown Pages for audiobooks. The page will be displaying the exact time the next audiobook will be launched down to the precise seconds. While this will let listeners pre-save an audiobook and track its launch, this will also serve as the perfect pitch for the authors, … [Read more...] about Spotify Introduces Countdown Timers for Audiobooks
New AI tool helps authors release more audiobooks on Amazon
Audible now hosts a staggering 40,000 audiobook titles that have been narrated by artificial AI-generated voice, Bloomberg reported. This has been made possible thanks to a new tool that Amazon introduced last year. The free tool which is still in beta testing is accessible to self-published authors associated with the Kindle Store and allows them to convert their books into … [Read more...] about New AI tool helps authors release more audiobooks on Amazon
Google Play Books to offer audiobook previews on YouTube
Google Play Books has been provided an update that introduces several new features to the app, the company revealed via a blog post. That includes integration with YouTube where users will be able to listen to audiobook previews for free. This would be in addition to the audiobook previews that are already available via the Play Books app for Android, iOS, and the web. As it … [Read more...] about Google Play Books to offer audiobook previews on YouTube
Audible Tests Recommendations based on Prime Video Habits
Audible is one of the largest audiobook stores in the world, and today, they are introducing a new feature that recommends audiobook titles based on Prime Video viewing behaviour. The Audible discovery page will feature a “Based on what you watched recently on Prime Video” recommendations carousel, encouraging listeners to discover new and relevant titles. This more … [Read more...] about Audible Tests Recommendations based on Prime Video Habits
Hachette adds trigger warnings to audiobooks
With audiobooks growing in popularity and a sizeable number of listeners opting to listen to the audiobooks without using headphones while being in public, here is a new issue that has come to the fore. The audiobook might contain stuff that others may find offensive and it is this that has prompted publisher Hachette to include trigger warnings with the audiobooks. This way, … [Read more...] about Hachette adds trigger warnings to audiobooks
Audible cooking up some Harry Potter magic like never before
Amazon's Audible and Pottermore Publishing are coming together to produce a brand new audiobook series covering all seven Harry Potter stories. The new audiobooks are going to be available exclusively via Audible. Each of the audiobook titles is going to be released sequentially starting late 2025. What's more, it is going to be a full-cast audio production, with over 100 … [Read more...] about Audible cooking up some Harry Potter magic like never before
Seattle Library is decreasing the number of holds for ebooks
The public library is one of the ways that savvy users can get free audiobooks and ebooks. They can be read on your smartphone, tablet or e-readers. Kobo e-readers are especially good since they have Overdrive integration in all their devices, making browsing, borrowing, and reading possible. One downfall of libraries' digital shelves is that users can be put on a waitlist for … [Read more...] about Seattle Library is decreasing the number of holds for ebooks
Should Apple release an unlimited service for ebooks?
Amazon is the largest company that offers unlimited service, where, for a low monthly fee, you can access more than 4 million digital books, as well as thousands of audiobooks, comics, and magazines. Once you activate your subscription, you can download titles from the Kindle Unlimited catalogue immediately. Rakuten Kobo has a similar program; however, they split it up so users … [Read more...] about Should Apple release an unlimited service for ebooks?
HarperCollins to produce AI-generated Audiobooks
HarperCollins Publishers has joined forces with ElevenLabs, a pioneering leader in AI voice technology to produce audiobooks for its foreign language business, The Bookseller reported. With this collaboration, HarperCollins is looking to diversify its audiobook catalog using ElevenLabs's cutting-edge text-to-speech tool. This innovative approach will help reduce the cost and … [Read more...] about HarperCollins to produce AI-generated Audiobooks