Audiobooks experienced a 4.7% unit sales increase, though like much of the publishing industry, the audio sector experienced a drop in revenue in 2009, according to the Audio Publishers Association (APA). The association recently released the results of the Survey of 2009 Sales, with independent research firm Lewis&Clark surveying audiobook publishers.

Audiobook publishers met the recession by selectively reducing prices on audiobooks in 2009, which contributed to a 12% decline in revenues, but sales increased to nearly 20 million units in 2009.

Revenue reported by the 29 member companies for 2009 was $291 million. The APA estimates that the total size of the audiobook industry, based on dollars spent by consumers and libraries, is approximately $900 million.

"The good news is more people are experiencing audio as a result of having value-priced options available, both in the traditional CD format and the growing digital download market," said Janet Benson, APA president. "It is wonderful to see that the popularity of audiobooks is still holding strong."

"Many businesses and industries saw sales drop in 2009. The fact that we saw an increase in the number of audiobooks sold indicates that consumers appreciate the value audiobooks," said Beth Anderson, chair of the APA Research Committee.

The study found that CDs represented 65% of audio revenue and 46% of units sold, while digital downloads represented 29% of audio revenue and 49% of units sold.

The survey also revealed an expected boost in fiction sales and a slight drop in nonfiction sales-a typical occurrence for a non-presidential election year.

For more information, visit www.audiopub.org.

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