YouTube is reportedly planning to add audiobooks to its Premium subscription, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Android Central. The rumored launch could arrive for the ad-free plan, which currently costs $16 a month, as early as 2027. Google has reportedly been talking with publishers about bringing audiobooks to the platform.
The move would put YouTube in competition with established players such as Audible and Spotify, which introduced audiobooks for its Premium subscribers in 2023. Spotify initially gave U.S. and U.K. subscribers 15 hours of listening per month, with additional hours available for $12.99, and later launched a separate "Audiobook Access" tier for $9.99. Spotify's library has grown to over 200,000 titles.
The report also suggests audiobooks could help address piracy. Good eReader cited data showing 45% of listeners consume audiobooks on YouTube, though that content is reportedly AI-narrated rather than authentic. Offering licensed audiobooks within Premium could give users a better and legitimate option.
Android Central notes that YouTube is not widely associated with audiobooks, unlike Spotify with music or Audible with books. The company has not confirmed any of the reports, so the plans remain unverified rumors. If they materialize, YouTube will have a considerable challenge building a catalog and market presence in a space dominated by established services.
Source: Android Central · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing