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Audible is an audiobook and podcast service company owned by Amazon. The service platform has a dual content model that allows for individual purchases and downloads as well as streaming content available through a monthly subscription.
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.audible.com/ |
Consumer-impact summary
Audiobook monopoly
As a subsidiary of Amazon, a company that started as an online bookstore that now owns roughly 90% or more of the ebook industry [citation needed], Audible holds about 60% of audiobooks, leading to widespread criticism of monopoly behavior[citation needed].
DRM
Audible has their own file format for audiobooks which is called AAX file format and it contains DRM. This creates an ecosystem lock-in, causing users to use third-party software to break the DRM in order to listen to the audiobooks they've purchased outside of the Audible platform [citation needed].
Geo-blocking
Audible engages in geo-blocking, restricting certain content based upon the geographic location of the user.
Exploitative contracts
Like Kindle publishing, Audibe requests exclusive publishing to their platform; otherwise, rightsholders like authors and publishers are subjected to Audible's 75% cut of royalties[citation needed]. Digital media like ebooks and audiobooks tend to be the most lucrative medium for rightsholders as they cost the least to produce, so it is greatly exploitative when a digital platform demands a 75% cut to host the content.
Incidents
Using credits to subsidize streaming service
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
Alleged non-consensual enrollment
Amazon, and Audible by extension, is currently under a pending class-action lawsuit due to allegedly enrolling Amazon customers into the Audible subscription without permission. This is possible due to Amazon's forced retention of payment methods in which the company holds customers' card information for "faster checkout."
Encouraging AI use
Audible openly encourages AI use with the understanding ding that indie authors who self-publish may rely heavily on AI for content generation and book quantity[citation needed]. This has led to speculation that Audible is diluting the pool of author royalties[citation needed].
Products
Since 2015, Audible has attempted to create original content throughout the years, but few have proven successful, including short-form content[citation needed]. Now, they seek creator exclusivity by providing attractive deals to podcasters and other creators to publish exclusively on Audible[citation needed].