YouTube holds discussions with book publishers regarding potential audiobook service

TradingView, citing a report by the Wall Street Journal, reported that video streaming platform YouTube has held discussions with book publishers in recent months about developing a new audiobook offering. The service could launch as early as next year, according to people familiar with the matter. [1]

YouTube has considered bundling the potential audiobook service with YouTube Premium, its ad free subscription tier. YouTube Premium currently costs 15.99 dollars a month and includes access to ad free videos and music content. TradingView reported that it remains unclear how the platform would display audiobooks to its users. [1]

Google acquired YouTube in November 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars in stock. The platform is owned by Alphabet and has grown into the second most visited website globally, with approximately 2.7 billion monthly active users as of February 2026. [1][2]

Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that 84 percent of adults in the United States used YouTube in 2025, making it the most widely used social media platform in the country. Approximately 50 percent of United States adults visit the site on a daily basis. [2]