Scribd changes audiobooks to credit based system

[AnemicOak]

It looks like some audiobooks will be credit based while they'll maintain a changing catalog of unlimited ones as well.

Today, we’re letting you know that we’re going to be transitioning our audiobook service to a credit–based system. Starting on September 20, you will receive one audiobook credit as part of your monthly subscription to use toward any title in Scribd’s audiobook catalog.

What does this actually mean for listeners?

• Your monthly subscription price of $8.99 will stay the same.
• Nothing will change for the next 30 days – the unlimited audiobooks library will remain as-is during this time.
• After that 30 days, we’ll be offering a rotating catalog of thousands of audiobooks for unlimited listening. These are being made available through special arrangements with publishing partners. We’ll be working on more deals like this, so the selection will be updated monthly with new titles. Check back often!
• For audiobooks outside of that unlimited catalog, simply use the audiobook credit you receive at the start of each billing cycle.
• You will have the option to purchase additional audiobook credits for $8.99.
• And, of course, you’ll still have more than one million ebooks and comics at your fingertips!

http://blog.scribd.com/2015/08/21/a-...rom-our-ceo-2/



Nate has a write up on his blog as well...
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/0...obook-service/

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

It looks like some audiobooks will be credit based while they'll maintain a changing catalog of unlimited ones as well.

http://blog.scribd.com/2015/08/21/a-...rom-our-ceo-2/

Nate has a write up on his blog as well...
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/0...obook-service/

Not good. Expect to see more subscribers bailing in response.

[AnemicOak]

I guess it will depend at least somewhat on what's in the catalog of unlimited titles is and if it's large enough folks can find stuff they want without resorting to buying credits, but it doesn't sound good.

[Catlady]

Well, there goes my plan to pause my Audible subscription and rejoin Scribd for a while. I could see instituting some limits--I'd think maybe three or four audiobooks a month would be acceptable--but one? For a rental? Not worth it.

[Autonomous]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I guess it will depend at least somewhat on what's in the catalog of unlimited titles is and if it's large enough folks can find stuff they want without resorting to buying credits, but it doesn't sound good.

Agreed. I've been using Scribd for listening to audiobooks and was pleased with the selection, but this doesn't bode well for future accessibility. I think they are already deleting books from the available catalogue in preparation for September 20th. When I finished my current audiobook this weekend, the book I had planned on listening to next was no longer in the catalogue. If what I'm interested in is no longer there by the time the credit system becomes effective, I may have to switch to listening to classics (which, I guess, wouldn't be such a bad thing).

[booklover6]

I'm undecided. To my mind, it's still a better deal than Audible, IF they have books I want to listen to. $9 a month vs. $15 a month. Yes it's rental vs. owning, but I don't care about that, I only listen to a book once, so I don't need to own it. And there are other titles I can read or listen to in addition to the ones that are limited. So I think I will stay with it.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I'm undecided. To my mind, it's still a better deal than Audible, IF they have books I want to listen to. $9 a month vs. $15 a month. Yes it's rental vs. owning, but I don't care about that, I only listen to a book once, so I don't need to own it. And there are other titles I can read or listen to in addition to the ones that are limited. So I think I will stay with it.

While not as big of a selection as Scribd (45,000+ titles), Downpour Rental (10,000+ titles) generally has cheaper rental prices. Where Scribd will charge $9 for each premium title, Downpour charges $6 to $7 for most of its rental titles. Be sure to check Downpour and your public library before renting additional titles from Scribd.

[booklover6]

Do you mean downpour.com?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Do you mean downpour.com?

Yes

corrected post

[booklover6]

Sadly, I have cancelled my Scribd subscription. I just don't care for the changes to the audio book program. I'll stick with the library/whispersync for voice combos for my audio books from now on.

It makes me sad, though.

[seanma]

it's a suicidal decision, business-wise. i'm gonna wait for the next 2-3 days to see if they offer the newly published will durant, then i'll cancel the subscription.

[seanma]

i suppose they are doing that cos they're gonna be purchased by audible, like everyone else (sigh)

[tubemonkey]

Scribd Expands Its Audiobook Catalog With Titles from Hachette, Macmillan

Never one to give up in the face of adversity, Scribd is growing its audiobook catalog today.

The subscription ebook service says it has just added over ten thousand audiobook titles to its catalog. Scribd had previously carried around 30,000 titles under a contract with Findaway, and now it's adding titles from Hachette, Macmillan, HighBridge Audio, Tantor Audio, and Recorded Books.