Audible, the major audio book streaming service, has announced that it will make one of its most popular titles, 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' available for free to stream with Amazon Alexa. There's a catch, though: Audible is only making 90 minutes of the audiobook free, which equates to the first four chapters of the seminal children's fantasy novel.
The free teaser chapters coincide with the launch of the 'Wizarding World Book Club,' an online forum for Harry Potter fans to discuss aspects of their beloved franchise. The club began its discussion of the first novel today, so the free chapters give fans a great opportunity to brush up on the 20 year old novel (in case they've forgotten a beat or two over that time.)
Free Fantasy Audiobook Trials
Audible is Giving Away the First Four Chapters of Harry Potter
Trend Themes
1. Audio Book Subscriptions - The success of Audible and similar services indicate a trend towards subscription-based audio book services.
2. Voice-enabled Devices - The introduction of offering free audible audiobooks on Amazon Alexa suggests that voice-enabled devices are becoming mainstream, offering a new opportunity for interactive media experiences.
3. Online Reading Communities - The launch of the 'Wizarding World Book Club' highlights the trend of online reading communities catered around specific books and genres.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - The rise of audio book streaming services and voice-activated technologies presents a potential shift in publishing towards digital and interactive content.
2. Consumer Electronics - With voice-enabled devices leading industries such as home automation and personal assistant, consumer electronics companies can take advantage of the digital and interactive content opportunities arising from audio book subscriptions.
3. Social Media - Online reading communities like the 'Wizarding World Book Club' can incorporate social media elements to create a new online platform for book lovers that can be monetized by advertising.