The Guardian view on audiobooks: a growing market that asks existential questions | Editorial

When is a book not a book? When it is performed by a starry cast of hundreds. Except it has always been more complicated than thatNews this week of a 17% hike in the UK’s audiobook sales might seem like a niche business story, but it raises an existential question. What exactly is an audiobook today? Is it a book? Is it a play? Or is it becoming something else entirely? What is clear is that a jostle for market dominance is driving it into new dimensions. The streaming platform Spotify followed its move into podcasting two years ago with the launch of an audiobooks business. Though it has yet to start making its own recordings, last autumn it made a deal for 200,000 audiobooks to be available to its premium users.Not to be outdone, Amazon-owned Audible – accustomed to being the market leader – upped its game, hiring the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes to record multi-voice versions of the Dickens novels Oliver Twist and David Copperfield, and announcing last month that it had reached an agreement for a recording of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series, voiced by more than 100 actors and featuring a “groundbreaking new soundscape”. The new Potter audiobooks, it said, would not usurp but “sit alongside and complement” conventional recordings by Stephen Fry and Jim Dale, which Audible also hosts. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-05-10 17:25:03 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "The Guardian view on audiobooks: a growing market that asks existential questions | Editorial"

Read This Dark Mystery Set in Appalachia

Whether you’re a print reader or audiobook listener, this family drama-laden dark Appalachian mystery is a must read. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-04-16 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

HBO reveals first part of Harry Potter TV cast, including Dumbledore and Hagrid

John Lithgow confirmed in Dumbledore role, with Paapa Essiedu playing Severus Snape and Nick Frost as HagridFor many Harry Potter fans, no actors could ever live up to the original cast of the cherished film franchise. For others, a new TV adaptation is an opportunity for greater detail and... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-04-14 17:21:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this

HBO reveals first cast members for Harry Potter TV series

Paapa Essiedu will portray Severus Snape, while Paul Whitehouse has been cast as Argus Filch. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2025-04-14 16:00:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this

8 Great Mystery Series to Listen to on Audio

Pop on your headphones and immerse yourself in these excellent audiobook mystery series. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-04-11 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Spotify Opens French and Dutch Audiobook Production

Touting an investment of €1 million, Spotify builds on its French and Benelux audiobook operations to open a new production initiative. The post Spotify Opens French and Dutch Audiobook Production appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-04-11 08:01:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this

What can we expect in Universal's theme UK park?

Paddington, Lord of the Rings and 007 – but not Harry Potter – expected at Bedfordshire theme park. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2025-04-10 02:00:53 UTC ]
More news stories like this

How Jason Isaacs became the latest White Lotus star to have a renaissance

The Harry Potter and Death of Stalin actor has found fame with a new audience in hit TV showHe has worked in the industry for more than three decades, and appeared in blockbusters, but for a long time Jason Isaacs had managed to eschew the limelight.Then came The White Lotus, and suddenly the... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-04-05 08:00:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Spider-Man and Harry Potter producers to make next Bond

Amy Pascal and David Heyman have been described as "two of the most accomplished" producers around. Continue reading at BBC World

[ BBC World | 2025-03-25 18:20:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this

London Book Fair: An Audiobook Update From Audible

Audible's Lee Jarit spoke at London Book Fair, describing the company's market gains and ACX's operations. The post London Book Fair: An Audiobook Update From Audible appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-03-19 19:07:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Spotify, Touting Audiobook Growth, Expands Its Reach to Self-Published Authors

The streaming giant has launched a short-form audiobook publishing program for self-published genre fiction authors, following reports of nearly tripling its catalog growth over the past year by attracting younger listeners to its platform. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

The Most Popular Publishing News of the Week

New Harper Lee short stories coming this fall, a day in the life of an audiobook narrator, the It Books of March, and more news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-03-09 15:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Libro.fm Reports a Surge in Subscribers

Audiobook subscription service Libro.fm reported 275% growth in new monthly memberships this February, compared to the same period in 2024. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-06 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

A Day in the Life of an Audiobook Narrator

How an audiobook narrator does their work, the art of understanding Colson Whitehead, and a hot new imprint's first releases. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-03-05 16:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

‘My Name Is Barbra’ Wins Audiobook of the Year at 2025 Audie Awards

At the 30th annual Audies, presented by the Audio Publishers Association and held in New York City on March 4, winners across 28 categories were announced. Barbra Streisand’s memoir took home the night's biggest honor, Audiobook of the Year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-03-04 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

John Lithgow set to play Dumbledore in Harry Potter TV series – reports

Actor reportedly in final negotiations to follow up performance in Oscar-nominated hit Conclave with key role in much-anticipated HBO seriesJohn Lithgow is nearing a deal to star as Professor Albus Dumbledore in HBO’s hotly anticipated Harry Potter series, sources told Deadline and Variety.HBO... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2025-02-12 22:21:35 UTC ]
More news stories like this

RBmedia Says It Had ‘Record-Setting’ 2024

Two acquisitions and the continuing growth of the audiobook market led to another good year for the audiobook publishing giant. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-01-28 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this

Have We Reached Peak Celebrity Audiobook Narration?

Just how much do celebrity audiobook narrators cost?, a bookish hero of the week, and don't forget Amazon's might: all in today's book news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-01-24 18:34:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this