North America Children Audiobook Market Analysis and Opportunities by 2028

The North America children audiobook market is expected to reach US$ 651.95 million by 2028 from US$ 95.77 million in 2022, with an estimated CAGR of 31.8%.

Audiobooks allow children to listen to content in books. Children can access audiobooks through smartphones, computers, tablets, and other devices that support audio streaming. Audiobooks are becoming popular among end users as they can be accessed anytime and anywhere. They also help children learn punctuation, pronunciation, and emphasis, which improves their speaking and writing skills. Audiobooks help develop a child’s imagination and enhance vocabulary. Listening to bedtime audiobooks helps children relax and sleep well. Audiobooks are an educational source of entertainment while developing the skills needed to become proficient readers.

Increase in demand for digitalized learning among children, ability to multitask while listening to audiobooks, and surge in the number of younger listener registrations are among the factors driving the North America children audiobook market growth. Further, advancements in audiobooks in terms of voice-activated assistants and virtual reality would provide lucrative opportunities for the North America children audiobook market during the forecast period. The rising usage of smartphones among children is expected to emerge as a trend in the North America children audiobook market during 2022–2028.

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North America Children Audiobook Market: Strategic Insights

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on North America Children Audiobook Market

Through transmedia, author branding, and social media influencer marketing, audiobooks have proven their elasticity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic across North America. Conventional teaching and learning disruptions, travel restrictions, and business shutdowns adversely affected the books & publishing industry. However, the exponential growth in the sales of smartphones and the presence of renowned audiobook providers are two factors that nullified the consequences of the pandemic on the industry. Children started looking for new entertaining methods while staying at home, which propelled the demand for audiobooks. Also, audiobooks thrived as a relaxation method among children during the pandemic. Since many schools and public libraries closed for print book checkout, children had to borrow books online in digital formats. In addition, listeners increasingly subscribed to audiobooks such as Audible, an Amazon-owned audiobook. The Audio Publishers Association (APA), a non-profit trade organization of the audiobook industry in the US, conducted a survey in June 2022 revealing that there was a significant change in listening behavior among children during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the survey, 61% of parents stated their children (ages 17 and younger) listen to audiobooks, compared to 49% reported in 2020. This particular increase resulted from the expanded use of digital study materials among students in the wake of pandemic-related school disruptions and the emergence of remote learning situations. Furthermore, audiobooks among children have become popular despite the common misconception that listening is less beneficial than reading a physical book.

The audiobook publishers are producing titles in other formats, including eBooks with audio and audio-enabled picture books, to convince consumers to listen to the audiobooks for multitasking and productivity purposes. VOX Books titles combine picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction titles with audio recordings. In addition, children can push a button to listen and read without any additional technology. Audiobooks are meeting the complex needs of children, as well as digital books have become important for libraries in the region. Therefore, key players providing audiobooks to children experienced massive growth in the North America children audiobook market.

North America Children Audiobook Market Insight

Ability to Multitask While Listening to Audiobooks Drives North America Children Audiobook Market

The demand for audiobooks is growing stronger than any other format among children as these books can be listened to as and when required. There is a rise in demand for audiobooks from children mainly because they can multitask while listening to their favorite titles. Some children like to listen to science fiction audiobooks, particularly if they include sound effects, and others prefer listening to self-help books, mystery genres, and even historical audiobooks. Furthermore, audiobooks are increasingly preferred by children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. In addition, audiobooks allow one to listen to the narrator's intonation while paying attention doing other activities. Generally, children do not prefer to sit down and visually read a book; therefore, there is a growing demand for audiobooks as time-saving entertainment.

By emphasizing the productivity aspect, audiobooks are often advertised as a way to enjoy a book while performing other tasks, and publishers continue to tap into niche communities to listen rather than read. As a result, the demand for audiobooks among children is growing significantly as they allow multitasking, contributing to the North America children audiobook market growth.

Age Group Segment Insights

In terms of age group, the North America children audiobook market is segmented into 0–5 years, 6–8 years, and 9 years and above. The 9 years and above segment holds the largest share in North America children audiobook as children aged nine years and above are highly involved and engaged in reading and learning activities. This age group is ideal for developing a hobby of reading and an interest in learning something new.

North America Children Audiobook Market, by Age Group (% share)

Note: The outer circle represents the market size for 2028, and the inner circle represents the market size for 2022.

Genre Segment Insights

Based on genre, the North America children audiobook market is segmented into action & adventure, education & learning, fairy tales & myths, and others.

Type Segment Insights

Based on type, the North America children audiobook market is bifurcated into one-time download and subscription-based model. The one-time download segment holds a larger market share as most users prefer to download audiobooks. However, subscription-based services are gaining attraction as paying per audiobook download is expensive.

Companies operating in the North America children audiobook market focus on strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, and market initiatives to maintain their market positions. A few of the notable developments by key players in the North America children audiobook market are listed below:

• In 2022, RBmedia announced a partnership with LEE & LOW BOOKS INC., the largest multicultural children’s book publisher in the US. Under this agreement, RBmedia will publish audio editions of LEE & LOW BOOKS INC. titles for every age.
• In 2020, Audible, an Amazon company, announced that they are offering a new service of providing free audiobooks for children and students as they are staying at home due to the lockdown. The company is providing these audiobooks in six different languages, which can be streamed on computers, smartphones, and tablets.

The report segments the North America children audiobook market as follows:

Based on genre, the North America children audiobook market is segmented into action & adventure, education & learning, fairy tales & myths, and others. In terms of type, the market is segmented into one-time download and subscription-based model. Based on age group, the North America children audiobook market is divided into 0–5 years, 6–8 years, and 9 years and above.

North America Children Audiobook Market – Company Profiles

• Amazon.com Inc.
• Macmillan Holdings LLC
• Deyan Audio Services Inc.
• Google LLC
• Blackstone Audio Inc.
• Naxos AudioBooks (UK) Ltd.
• HarperCollins Publishers LLC
• Simon & Schuster Inc.
• Oasis Family Media LLC
• Dreamscape Media LLC

North America Children Audiobook Market Report Scope

North America Children Audiobook Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics

The North America Children Audiobook Market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.