APRIL 2026 News Roundup

April showers brought flowers to the winners of the LA Times Festival of Books where a dedicated space was made for audiobook/podcast panels for the first time. A new MIT brain study shows that audiobooks can increase early vocabulary learning. British Airways provides increased in-flight access to audiobooks. A new bill to amend the Digital Library Protection Act is under review in Illinois. Croatian audiobooks narrated in less-represented languages are in demand. The Czech Republic releases a survey of listeners and Romania’s Voxa secures funds for expansion. Wil Wheaton talks about his preparation for narration of Stephen King’s The Body and comedian Mark Humphries pokes fun at audiobook bloopers.

General News

Dedicated audiobook, podcast stage joins LA Times Festival of Books

The stage will feature seven panels over the weekend, touching on romance, true crime and the art of telling a story across different formats, among other topics. [Sources: dailytrojan.com]

A new MIT brain research study finds that audiobooks help students learn new words

Study participants learned significantly more when audiobooks were paired with explicit one-on-one instruction. [Source: news.mit.edu]

The business of audiobooks

Publishers Report Sales Boosts from Netflix Adaptations

Book adaptations have appeared on Netflix’s Global Top 10 lists every week so far this year. [Source: publishersweekly.com]

New bill would change agreements between publishers and libraries

The Digital Library Protection Act would restrict publishers from making agreements to distribute electronic materials like e-books and audiobooks if the agreement would keep the library from “customary operational functions” or “performing customary lending functions.”  [Source: 25newsnow.com]

British Airways and Audible take in-flight entertainment to new heights

More than 250 hours of podcasts and audiobooks can now be enjoyed for free across every British Airways long-haul flight. [Source: mediacentre.britishairways.com]

Specific markets

Global audiobook market grows, Croatia seeking its place

The platform’s co-founder Ljubica Letinić said major markets are saturated, driving demand for less represented languages and opening opportunities for Croatian audiobooks globally. [Source: aman-alliance.org]

Audiolibrix Unveils 12th Annual Great Audiobook Survey Results

Audiobooks in the Czech Republic continue to attract new fans, but surprisingly not among younger audiences. [Source: markets.businessinsider.com]

Southeast Europe’s Leading Audiobook, Ebook Platform, Secures Funds for Expansion

Romania’s Voxa, which was launched in November 2021 by local entrepreneurs Marin and Dan Vidrașcu, is looking to grow across the continent. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]

FEED YOUR EARPODS

Upstart Publisher Full Set Partners with ‘Global Newsroom’ Fuller to Publish Original Essays

The partnership will see essays originally published by Fuller published in ebook, audiobook, and paperback print on demand, starting in Spring 2026. [Source: publishingperspectives.com]

Interviews & Podcasts

40 Years Later, Wil Wheaton Can’t Shake ‘Stand By Me’

The actor and narrator stepped back into his breakout role for a new audiobook edition of Stephen King’s bittersweet classic. [Source: nytimes.com]

SOMETHING OUT OF THE BOOTH

Comedian Mark Humphries exposes the weird side of the audiobook boom

Sure, the format is booming, but is anyone listening before release? [Source: mediaweek.com.au]