Audible unveils new Standard membership plan

New, lower-priced plan provides flexible entry point to Audible’s extensive audiobook catalogue, now including popular titles previously available on Wondery+

Audible, a leading provider of premium audio storytelling, has announced the launch of its new Standard membership plan in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and France.

This offering expands flexibility and access to the audio format, the fastest growing in publishing, featuring one audiobook per month from Audible's catalogue plus unlimited listening from a curated library that includes a selection of Audible Originals and nearly 200 of the most popular titles previously available on Wondery+.

With Audible's global membership base larger than ever, the Standard plan is designed to welcome new audiences to audio storytelling, a media format that is increasingly shaping the cultural conversation. Priced at £5.99 (with comparable pricing across other marketplaces), the plan offers an accessible entry point for listeners who are looking for the latest bestseller or just beginning to explore audiobooks.

"The launch of our Standard plan reflects Audible's ongoing commitment to serving the diverse preferences and listening habits of story-lovers everywhere," said Cynthia Chu, Chief Financial & Growth Officer at Audible. "By expanding our membership options, we're maximizing access for lighter listeners while enabling publishers and creators to reach new audiences - a win-win that grows the entire audiobook category."

Early testing of the Standard plan in select marketplaces shows strong member acquisition and retention rates. Initial testing in the UK and Australia indicated that the plan was responsible for driving a strong double digit percentage increase in new member sign-ups compared with previous offerings. With its expansion across all new launching marketplaces, Standard is projected to bring millions of new consumers into the Audible audiobook experience over the next year. 

With the Standard membership, subscribers can select one audiobook each month from Audible's full catalogue, retaining access to that title for as long as their membership remains active. Members also get unlimited ad-free listening access to a select catalogue featuring premium Audible Originals like Reinvent Your Life with Mel Robbins, Kerry Washington's The Prophecy and The Big Lie, starring Jon Hamm, plus nearly 200 hit titles previously available on Wondery+ which are now Audible Originals - including acclaimed series such as Dr. Death, American Scandal, and Business Wars. While many of these titles will remain widely available, early access and ad-free listening previously enjoyed by Wondery+ subscribers are now available only for Audible members. Select titles such as Dying for Sex, The Shrink Next Door and Ghost Story will now be exclusive to Audible members. 

Audible continues to offer its Premium membership (£8.99 GBP/mo) for listeners seeking access to Audible’s full unlimited listening catalogue, along with one monthly credit to purchase any audiobook to keep, regardless of membership status. Combined with the option to purchase titles à la carte, Audible provides a comprehensive range of options to match every listener's needs.

The Standard plan is available immediately in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Germany and France, with testing underway in additional marketplaces.