Latest news with #audioContent
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
UK audiobook revenue up by almost a third last year
Whether it's plugging in to Benedict Cumberbatch reading Austen while doing the washing up or listening to Meryl Streep narrate Nora Ephron's Heartburn on the way to work, the UK is increasingly getting into audiobooks. Audiobook revenue generated by UK publishers rose by 31% between 2023 and 2024, with income from audiobooks reaching a record £268m last year, according to the Publishers Association (PA), the body representing UK publishers. 'We're seeing a real demand for audiobooks given the unique way they fit into our increasingly busy lives,' said Debbie Hicks, creative director at The Reading Agency charity. 'Audiobooks make reading more accessible, whether that's for people with dyslexia or visual impairments, or simply those who struggle to find time to sit down with a traditional book.' Many listeners value 'the ability to multitask' that comes with audiobooks, added Hicks. 'You can listen to audiobooks while commuting, exercising or doing chores. For young adults especially, audiobooks are a natural fit with how they live and read.' Audiobooks have 'soared in popularity over the past 10 years', said Dan Conway, chief executive at the PA. 'The same is true of podcasts, so clearly audio content in general is hugely on the rise.' 'Publishers have invested more and more in producing high-quality content that grabs attention,' he added. 'Some of the most successful audiobooks of the past few years have offered listeners the opportunity to hear world-renowned figures deliver their stories themselves. We have also seen full cast productions, high-profile casting and innovative recording techniques.' Tina, who runs the book-themed Instagram account @tbretc and listened to more than 100 audiobooks last year, said that her life is 'busier than ever', so audiobooks allow her to 'enjoy myself while doing the many life tasks that come with being a working mom of two'. Audiobook production has also 'come a long way, and sometimes listening to a story brings an even better experience than reading a book with your eyes', she said. The PA also reported fiction revenue rising 18% between 2023 and 2024, surpassing £1bn for the first time. 'Fiction growth has been driven by fantasy and romance,' said Conway. 'The desire for escapism in these tumultuous times may be a factor in the recent success of these genres.' While revenue for consumer nonfiction – which excludes academic and education books – saw a 4% decrease, this fall brought the category in line with fiction, with both bringing in £1.1bn each in 2024. Revenue from children's books remained static at £413m. Digital revenue – encompassing audiobooks and ebooks – rose 17% between 2023 and 2024 in the consumer market, to £566m. 'It's fantastic to see fiction, audiobooks and digital thrived in 2024,' added Conway. 'Clearly publishers have been giving book lovers what they want with engaging content in a range of formats.' The digital revenue figure includes earnings through subscriptions such as Spotify's Premium, which allows 15 hours of audiobook listening per month. Spotify saw a 35% rise in listening hours between January 2024 and January 2025. 'Whether it's during a commute, at the gym, or taking a walk, audiobooks open up storytelling in those in-between moments', said Duncan Bruce, director of audiobook partnerships and licensing. 'We've also removed the friction for people to try an audiobook for the first time, placing it in the centre of one of the world's most used apps. We've seen strong crossover from music and podcasts, with fans discovering audiobooks through artists like Blink-182, Britney Spears and Bob Dylan, and podcasters including Louis Theroux and Steven Bartlett, proving audiobooks have the power to spark a whole new love of reading.' Audiobooks are 'helping to engage people who don't usually consider themselves readers,' agreed The Reading Agency's Hicks. They are 'a gateway into the joy of reading for many who might otherwise feel excluded'. Like Spotify, Audible has seen 'substantial increases in membership and listening hours, including a 22% rise in our kids' content offerings, as well as huge uptick in engagement and appetite across genres like romance and LitRPG [literary role-playing games]', said its chief content officer Rachel Ghiazza. 'Advances in production have made the audiobook experience increasingly immersive and accessible,' she added. 'Though substantial progress has been made, the audiobook sector remains an emerging and rapidly evolving space.' The PA also reported print revenue experiencing a 2% rise in the consumer market across 2023 and 2024, to £2bn. 'While digital has been growing faster it's important to remember that print is still by far the preferred medium in the consumer market, accounting for 78% of revenue,' it said. The export market for consumer, academic and education books saw a 3% increase to £4.5bn last year – this constituted 63% of the publishing industry's overall revenue.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Digital Silk Releases 2024 Podcast Statistics Report Highlighting Growth of U.S. Audio Content Market
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - June 16, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites and digital marketing campaigns, has published a new report outlining key podcast statistics and industry trends shaping the U.S. audio content landscape in 2024. Digital Silk Releases 2024 Podcast Statistics Report Highlighting Growth of U.S. Audio Content Market To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: According to the report, more than 460 million people worldwide are now listening to podcasts, with over 100 million active podcast listeners in the U.S. alone. These findings reflect a consistent increase in adoption, driven by a demand for on-the-go content formats and diversified monetisation opportunities. The newly published resource compiles recent data from leading industry sources, offering marketers, creators and publishers a consolidated snapshot of podcast consumption, engagement, demographics and growth projections. "We developed this report to offer brands and creators timely visibility into how U.S. podcast engagement is evolving," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "From listener behaviour to advertising trends, the audio space is rapidly changing-and businesses can benefit from understanding where it's headed." Key Insights from Digital Silk's Podcast Report: U.S. Podcast Market Growth: Over 62% of Americans have listened to a podcast, with monthly listeners topping 144 million. Advertising Spend: U.S. podcast ad revenue reached $2.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $3.2 billion in 2025 (IAB/PwC). Top Categories: True crime, news, health and wellness, and business podcasts continue to dominate listening preferences. Demographic Reach: Podcast listeners are evenly distributed across age groups, with Gen Z and millennials showing the highest engagement levels. The full guide is available on Digital Silk's Digital Trends section, providing an accessible summary of third-party research, platform usage metrics, and current audience behaviours. This publication aligns with Digital Silk's ongoing commitment to providing reliable digital trend coverage to help decision-makers and marketing teams adapt their strategies to evolving consumer preferences. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami web design agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk delivers industry-leading digital experiences through strategic branding and cutting-edge web design to support engagement and help improve visibility through targeted digital marketing campaigns.
