Audiobooks continue to rise in popularity, and one music streaming service is jumping into the fray. Amazon Music Unlimited announced users could now access audiobooks on the platform — albeit in a limited way.
Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers will be able to choose one book per month from Audible's library. While only one book per month may seem like a light load, the average reader says they listen to a little over six audiobooks per year on average — meaning Amazon's allotment should satisfy the average consumer.
Rival streaming company Spotify allows users to listen to 15 hours per month from its more than 150,000 audiobooks on its premium tier.
But unlike Spotify's move, Amazon's is less controversial.
The Rise In The Popularity Of Audiobooks
Similar to podcasts during and immediately after the pandemic, audiobooks are experience a significant surge in popularity. While the medium has been around for decades (remember books on tape?), the increasing access and availability of both new books and places to listen to them has led to a spike in consumption from new and seasoned listeners alike.
Audiobook sales increased by nine percent to $2 billion in 2023, with an astonishing 52 percent of U.S. adults saying they listened to an audiobook in 2024. Global revenue from audiobooks is projected to reach nearly $8 billion in 2024 and experience a 10 percent annual growth rate over the next five years. Even more amazing, the number of audiobooks published between 2011 and 2021 increased nearly 1,000 percent.
And while hardback is still the most popular way to consume a book, audiobooks are quickly becoming a favorite way to consume a book among younger generations.
In other words, if you're an author, it behooves you to think about creating an audio version of your work. And if you're a streaming service like Amazon Music Unlimited, well, providing access to the most popular audiobook library in the U.S. seems like a no-brainer.
The Spotify Controversy
When Spotify introduced audiobooks into its premium tier, the decision was met with criticism from book and music publishing entities alike. The Society of Authors alleges the Spotify deal was made without the consent of authors and could lead to "disastrous" financial consequences, particularly for smaller authors.
Meanwhile, music publishing agencies like the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) allege that Spotify's decision to include audiobooks in its premium tier was made in part to reduce the amount of money Spotify has to pay songwriters.
Music streaming companies pay lower rates for subscription "bundles" and promotional offers, like when you get access to a streaming service as part of your phone plan, or when you bundle together multiple services from one company, like with Apple's Apple One subscription.
Spotify argued that, because users could now access audiobooks as part of their premium tier, it was technically a bundle. Which means they would pay out lower rates. The NMPA and fellow company Music Licensing Collective (MLC) immediately jumped on this move, with the MLC filing a lawsuit against Spotify in May.
But the Amazon situation is different.
Music Publishers 'Optimistic' About Amazon Audiobooks Deal
NMPA CEO and President David Israelite issued a statement to Billboard signaling cautious optimism in the Amazon Music Unlimited audiobooks bundle, a stark contrast from the Spotify situation. (Which is also mostly what the statement is about).
"We are optimistic about the new Amazon bundle, Israelite told Billboard. "Amazon has engaged with the music publishing and songwriting industry in a respectful and productive way, unlike Spotify. We expect this new Amazon bundle will not decrease revenue for songwriters. Unlike Spotify, Amazon is looking at music creators as business partners and seeking to have a deal in place before the first round of royalty payments. This is in stark contrast to Spotify who is trying to pervert the compulsory license and slash what they pay songwriters."
While there's no specifics yet on what this deal may look like, it's clear there's a lot more good faith between Amazon and music publishers than there is between Spotify and music publishers.