Audible with 200,000 audiobooks and original programs launches in India

The Amazon subsidiary will offer special trials to Amazon Prime users

Audible, the world's largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and spoken-word content, on Tuesday announced the launch of Audible.in, a dedicated service for Indian users. Audible.in will offer a broad selection of more than 200,000 full-length audiobooks and original programs, including a curated selection of 400 Audible-exclusive titles by leading Indian authors. 

"Honoring India's distinctive literary and storytelling tradition and supporting the creation of vibrant local content, Audible.in is a dedicated, authentic and dynamic destination for Indian consumers that puts Indian talent and spoken-word content front and center,” said Audible founder and CEO Don Katz. “Audible is a part of Amazon but it is a very independent culture in business model and brand as it had been for a decade before it became part of the Amazon family. We have taken learnings from thousands of Indian listeners who are already part of the Audible ecosystem and will build the content offering further as it learns more this audience base post the launch.”

Over time the app will also expand vernacular language content base said Katz. While in many other geographies Audible had to specifically train audiobook narrators for the job, Katz noted that with artists spanning theatre and film industry in India, the job was a little easier. Audible has in the past turned to popular voices in different geographies to popularize their audiobooks like Hollywood dubbing artists in Germany and Japanese anime voice-over artists for audio renditions of Manga comics. In US alone the company employs over 20,000 actors for audio content.

Indians can now join millions of customers worldwide who use the Audible service to enjoy immersive storytelling, reportage and entertainment by gifted writers and performers. Audible offers busy book lovers the gift of “found time,” allowing them transporting, stimulating experiences while commuting, doing chores, exercising, or relaxing at home. 

Audible is working with production houses like Turtle on a Hammock Films and Sound of Music India among others. The company has also partnered with publishers like MacMillan and Jaico Publishing for content here. To celebrate the launch, Amazon subsidiary Audible is releasing a new recording of S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges’s best-selling Mafia Queens of Mumbai, performed by actors Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte and Kalki Koechlin in addition to offering a hand-picked “welcome pack” of premium listening experiences. In India, as globally Audible competes with a large number of podcast (audio show) apps and audiobook apps like Google Podcast, Storytel, Soundcloud and Stitcher among others.

"There are a lot of synergies involved in working with Amazon, like the 90 day trial offer and of course we share our focus on customers," said Shailesh Sawlani, Senior director & Country GM India, Audible. 

Indian customers can access Audible’s library of global content and membership by signing up for a complimentary 30-day trial, which entitles them to any Audible book of their choice. Amazon Prime members can access a special 90-day trial, including three free audiobooks. A premium Audible membership costs Rs 199 per month following a 30-day free trial.