Amazon-owned Audible has started putting ads in audiobooks, potentially indicating a sea change within the industry. The company says it is “conducting limited testing” on a select user base with the advertisements and that this step is currently reserved for non-paying members, giving them “ad-supported access to a limited set” of titles. For now at least, paying subscribers seem immune to the change.The ads pop up while listening to traditional audiobooks, podcasts and Audible original content. The company says the providers were informed of the change and given the chance to opt out of ads. Audible notes that a maximum of eight ads will play within a 24-hour period, regardless of what you are listening to. That isn’t so bad, but does set a troubling precedent for many ad-averse consumers.As to why this test was taking place at all, the company's help page offers nothing but empty buzzwords. “Audible is dedicated to continuously optimizing how we deliver audio programming to listeners everywhere,” it states. “From time to time, Audible tests new products and services to gain knowledge about the evolving needs of our customers and partners.” Thanks for clarifying!Does this mean an ad-supported subscription tier is forthcoming? Engadget has reached out to Audible for some clarification on this move but has yet to hear back. We will update this post when we do.Customers have long grown-accustomed to paying for audiobooks in exchange for a pure ad-free experience, but maybe... Continue reading at 'Engadget'
[ Engadget | 2023-03-30 18:54:46 UTC ]
Heartland Fall Forum, the joint fall trade show of the Midwest Independent Booksellers and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Associations, is taking place in Milwaukee this week—and it's been a celebration of everything that makes the Midwest book world unique. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-10-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The main event of the global book publishing calendar is upon us, and this year’s professional program will feature a strong slate of panels and conversations about such issues as AI, the booming international audiobook market, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-27 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Plus: Meta’s AI scrapes the UK, Google digitizes your passport, Chrome syncs your tabs everywhere, and (have you heard?) Apple announces some new iPhones. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2024-09-14 14:30:00 UTC ]
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The inaugural International Summit of Audio Publishers held September 10 in New York City drew 137 participants who discussed current market conditions, the impact of AI, and what is coming next for the booming industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Translating image to sound is a difficult task, but a necessary one for some readers. The team behind the audiobook adaptation of Darrin Bell's acclaimed 2023 graphic novel 'The Talk' explains how it's done. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The trial over the alleged ad tech monopoly begins Monday in Virginia. One month after a judge declared Google’s search engine an illegal monopoly, the tech giant faces another antitrust lawsuit that threatens to break up the company, this time over its advertising technology.The Justice... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2024-09-09 13:38:21 UTC ]
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Jarit has been promoted from head of ACX and North America publisher partnerships to global head of publisher and partner relations at Audible, overseeing the audio company’s global acquisitions strategy through its Audiobook Creation Exchange. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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While you can do pretty much anything on your phone or tablet, sometimes having a dedicated device is the way to go. Opting for an ereader can help reduce eye strain compared with looking at a smartphone screen for hours on end. The battery will last longer too, and you won't have notifications... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-09-03 14:56:49 UTC ]
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GameStop is pivoting to retro games at select locations. As the industry moves to digital media — and the retailer struggles to adapt to the shifting landscape (including a short-lived stab at NFTs) — the company is betting on the old school. The GameStop Retro locations will stock physical... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-08-28 18:07:04 UTC ]
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A good performance by PRH US, higher audiobook sales, and contributions from recently acquired companies led to a 13% increase in profits on an 8.5% sales gain at the world's largest trade publisher. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The longtime president and publisher of Penguin Random House Audio Group in the U.S. will join the company’s global executive committee and add its global audiobook program to her purview. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-21 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Spotify Audiobooks has partnered with W. W. Norton to produce and release the audiobook of Richard Powers' new novel 'Playground,' to be published in September 24. Spotify Audiobooks has been producing 10-15 titles monthly. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House Audio has opened the application process for the fifth session of its narrator mentorship program, which aims to increase diversity and inclusion within the audiobook industry. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-08-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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I’m an audiobook evangelist. I rarely go more than a few days without listening to one, and I’ll blast through two or three in a single road trip. But audiobooks are expensive and their prices don’t seem to be moving downwards like their printed counterparts. So, if you want to score a... Continue reading at PC World
[ PC World | 2024-08-12 15:12:55 UTC ]
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New mysteries and thrillers out this week, as well as multi-cast audiobook mysteries to check out. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-08-02 15:15:00 UTC ]
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What is, hands down, the best sci-fi and fantasy audiobook you've ever listened to? Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-07-24 15:00:00 UTC ]
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Humble Games has reportedly laid off all 36 of its staff. Former employees posted about the layoffs on social media. Humble Games is owned by media conglomerate Ziff Davis, which counts IGN, Eurogamer and GamesIndustry.biz among its gaming portfolio. Humble Games confirmed in a LinkedIn post... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-07-23 21:43:10 UTC ]
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Podium, a renowned audiobook publisher best known for sci-fi and fantasy, has significantly broadened its digital library and the opportunities available to writers. Now a full-service publisher that distributes books in all formats, Podium Entertainment is preparing to launch its inaugural... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-07-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Love audiobooks? There are plenty of worthy Audible competitors out there. You just need to know where to look. While Amazon-owned Audible dominates the audiobook market, it’s far from the only player in town. Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2024-07-14 04:30:00 UTC ]
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The acquisition of Dreamscape Media by RBMedia brings together two companies being called 'highly complementary' in the audiobook space. The post Audiobooks: RBMedia’s Acquisition of Dreamscape Media appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-07-11 16:39:41 UTC ]
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