The World’s Biggest Audiobook Library is About to Get Even More Accessible
Home to over 800,000 titles and counting, Audible is a household name that almost single-handedly brought audiobooks to mainstream audiences. Facing new competition in the audiobook space, the Amazon-owned platform is now making its library even more accessible to those with an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
Audiobooks & Online Storytelling
When a lot of industries moved over to digital, it made sense for the publishing industry to do the same and bring quality books to the devices we use every day. They did that through e-reading and audiobooks (and even more immersive audio dramas) where readers can step into a fictional world without holding a book in their hands.
The rise of audiobooks and the digital publishing industry didn’t happen in a vacuum. Elsewhere on the internet, others told stories through fan fiction, ARGs or amateur movie making. When the iGaming market formed decades ago, they also started reinventing slot games with characters, fictional settings and unique stories. Today, online casinos are full of games like the Fishin’ Frenzy slot, which tells the story of a deep-sea fishing trip, while other games focus on historical events or world mythology.
While the delivery mechanism can vary, the internet has become a great platform for telling stories that can reach a massive audience. So much so, that now two streaming industry giants are competing for the prized audiobook space.
Spotify VS Audible
As the world’s leading music streamer, Spotify has had a rocky few years as it tries to raise profitability and expand its content library. That’s actually common with businesses in the streaming space. In their efforts to draw in more subscribers, they sponsored podcasts and then opened an audiobook library, as they try to transition into an all-in-one powerhouse for audio content. Earlier this year, they even launched a bespoke Audiobook Access Tier for those not interested in their music.
On launch, Premium subscribers in the UK and Australia also got 15 hours of audiobook access every month to sweeten the deal. Per the latest numbers, Spotify has over 350, 000 audiobook titles. Audible’s library of 800,000 titles dwarfs this, but other factors must be considered. While Audible is a household name for readers, Spotify is a household name for everyone else. Convenience goes a long way and, if those 350,000 titles are big hitters, then quality can win out over quantity.
Amazon’s New Audiobook Deal
Amazon seems to be taking Spotify’s competition seriously – they are now offering one audiobook a month to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers in the UK, US and Canada. Priced at £10.99 (or £9.99 for Prime members) Amazon Music Unlimited is home to 100 million songs with user numbers that are just lagging behind Apple Music. Despite this, it doesn’t have the same cultural presence as a giant like Spotify, and Amazon’s many other business models outshine it.
By hooking Audible to Amazon Music Unlimited, it seems Amazon is ready to fight Spotify on two fronts – music and audiobooks. With the stage set, it’s anyone’s guess who will win out – and what that win would even look like. For avid audiobook listeners, you should expect plenty of opportunities to pick up free or discounted books as the platforms try to outdo one another.
