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 ]
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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The pending acquisition of Dreamscape will add more than 7,000 titles to RBmedia's catalog, giving the audiobook publishing giant more depth in such genres as mystery/thriller and romance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-07-10 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Prime Day is later this month, and the retailer has been promoting the big sale with additional discounts with early Prime Day deals. Right now, members of Amazon Prime can snag three months of an Audible Premium Plus subscription for free. This deal runs through July 31. After the... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-07-02 20:42:45 UTC ]
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Music artists say the bundle is ‘cheating’ the royalties system while authors have concerns about how streaming will affect how they’re paid and rights over their workAudio streaming giant Spotify, one of the world’s largest audio platforms, entered the audiobook market last October, offering... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2024-07-02 03:23:25 UTC ]
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Based in Frankfurt, Bookwire is to provide ebook and audiobook distribution to the US distributor IPG's clients. The post Germany’s Bookwire in Distribution Partnership with IPG appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-07-01 18:46:13 UTC ]
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Industry group says rise of vocal technology could upend many creative fields, including audiobooks – the canary in the coalmine for voice actorsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastVoice actors say they’re... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2024-06-29 20:00:00 UTC ]
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Washington D.C.'s Folger Shakespeare Library reopens with an impressive new exhibit, audiobook narrators get their due, and more. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2024-06-24 15:00:00 UTC ]
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Spotify has a new plan for US subscribers that keeps you on the old $11 monthly pricing — as long as you don’t mind ditching audiobooks. The new Basic tier includes the music and podcast content you get from Premium but without 15 hours of audiobook access, a recently added feature we suspect... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2024-06-21 18:36:40 UTC ]
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Golden Voice narrator Kate Reading joins host Jo Reed to discuss her career in audiobook narration. Her experience with audiobooks began with her first job at the Library of Congress’s Talking Books program, which gave her an education in audiobook narration. In their conversation, Jo and Kate... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2024-06-21 08:01:04 UTC ]
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