Audible boosts membership perks, adds Tom Ballard to podcast lineup
Audible subscribers will now have access to a bonus audiobook every month, the Editors’ Extra, as well as their monthly audiobook credit.
In addition, users will have access to hundreds of hours of Audible’s exclusive podcasts, including series like Marc Fennell’s It Burns, Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets and Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin?
The latest podcast to be added to the Audible suite is What’s the Story? hosted by Tom Ballard. Ballard will be joined by a revolving panel of audiobook-worms, experts and comedians, including discussing the latest Editors’ Extra each month.
The first episode will see satirist Dan Ilic and true-crime lover Meshel Laurie join to discuss Australian author Jane Harper’s The Dry, which will be the first Editors’ Extra.
Tom Ballard, comedian and host of What’s the Story? said: “I’ve been listening to stuff and having opinions ever since I was a little boy and now it’s finally paying off.
“What’s the Story? is like a book club for your ears: a space where we can chat and argue and laugh and cry about a whole range of great audiobooks. There’s a lot to listen to out there and we’ve lined up some brilliant titles and guests for this series, so I’m excited to jump in.”
Jane Harper, author of The Dry, said: “I’m so pleased The Dry was selected to kick start Audible’s Editors’ Extra initiative. I hope the Editors’ Extra will serve as a respected platform for listeners to discover new genres, narrators and audio formats that they might not otherwise have experienced.”
Each month, Audible.com.au editors will select a title with strong narration, compelling narrative and engaging audio experience to go in the Audible’s Editors’ Extra range, spanning a range of genres and showcasing both local and international talent.
Also new to the platform is the Audible Kids’ Collection, designed for children of all ages, which features celebrity-narrated classics, Australian children’s fiction and nursery rhymes. The Kids’ Collection will feature 100 rotating titles with the launch collection including Peter Pan narrated by actor Lily Collins and The Beatrix Potter Collection narrated by Andrew Scott, also an actor.
Leanne Cartwright-Bradford, Audible.com.au country manager said: “Our members are voracious listeners, who told us they want more from their membership. We listened and are proud to introduce hundreds of hours of premium quality audio entertainment each month, at no extra cost. Whether at home with the kids, commuting, or relaxing before bed, Audible is an incredible way to experience spoken word entertainment.”
