In research conducted by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), Edison Research, and InterQ Research, the APA announced earlier this month that audiobook revenue rose 12% in 2020, to $1.3-billion. “Audiobook listening remained strong and stable despite the pandemic,” the organization said.
Unsurprisingly, listening shifted from car to home: 55% of respondents said the listened most opten at home, compared to 43% the previous year.
New products are voluminous; more than 71,000 new audiobooks were published in 2020, a 39% increase year-to-year. That’s the largest growth in new titles since 2015. Kids are listening more, too, according to parents — 49% of them, mup from 35%.
Other key findings from the APA:
- The percentage of Americans 18+ who have ever listened to an audiobook is now 46%, up from 44% in 2020.
- Membership in audiobook services increased, with 38% of listeners indicating they subscribe to at least one such service.
- 56% of audiobook listeners are under the age of 45; this is up from 52% in 2020.
- 70% of consumers agree audiobooks are a good choice for relaxing.
Edison Research contributed facts from its Share of Ear consumer surveys:
- The overall share of time spent listening to audio (Share of Ear) for audiobooks has grown 60% since 2017.
- Daily audiobook listeners spend more time listening to books than any other form of audio (radio, podcasts, etc.).
- Daily reach of audiobook consumption has grown 71% since 2017.
- Daily audiobook listeners spend nearly 2 hours more per day listening to audio than the general population (5:35 vs 3:46).
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