Report shows continued growth in UK audiobook sales

In the UK, Nielsen BookData’s Books & Consumers survey found there was 6% growth in volume and 12% growth in value of audiobooks in that market in the first seven months of 2023, reported the Bookseller.

If the growth rates are maintained, this year will see 28 million audiobooks sold, worth over £200m (A$385 million).

Nielsen BookData research director Steve Bohme said that after eight years of double-digit growth to 2021, ‘it looked like the popularity of audiobooks had plateaued somewhat in 2022’. ‘However, they are looking really strong again in 2023, with spending set to exceed £200m for the first time by the end of the year.’

Bohme said the growth in audiobook nonfiction is ‘particularly notable, coming at a time when print and ebook nonfiction has declined, and such that the audio share is now higher in nonfiction than in fiction’. ‘This growth has been driven by genres such as true crime, sport and self-help—genres which seem particularly popular among audiobook consumers who listen on the move or while multitasking.’

The volume of nonfiction sales has grown 74% in the past five years, from 3.5 million units to 6 million, compared to fiction, which has grown 41% from 5.2 million units to 7.3 million.

Many publishers, including Hachette UK, Pan Macmillan UK, Bonnier and HarperCollins UK spoke to the Bookseller about audiobook sales, with several reporting they have expanded their audio teams.

Last week Books+Publishing reported on the audiobook market in Australia and the costs and considerations of making audiobooks.

Category: International news