Audible Channels Is Now Free For Amazon Prime Members
Audible Channels is now free for Amazon Prime members, making the audiobook service the newest draw to the membership program. Audible and Amazon announced the joint venture in a press release. Prime members have unlimited access to the Audible Channel, a service that normally costs approximately $5 per month. Those who use the Kindle service will find that many eBooks contain Audible listening tracks. Also, they have full access to the extensive Audible Channel. As the Audible Channels service normally costs $60 per year, the savings will be realized by Prime members.
Prime members need to download the Audible app to use the service. The app is available for Android, iOS, and Windows 10 devices. Current Prime members can access the Audible Channel and enter their phone numbers to activate the service.
New ficton from Ann Patchett, plus celeb memiors from @AbbyWambach & @Luvvie. #FreshListens pic.twitter.com/NfCzS920kP
— Audible (@audible_com) September 13, 2016
Amazon Prime Vice President Greg Greeley released a statement regarding the new Audible service’s free addition to Prime membership.
“As a longtime Audible member, I cannot wait for Prime members to discover this new premium spoken-word experience—for free. Tens of millions of members in the U.S. already enjoy the many benefits of Prime including unlimited fast, free Prime shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Photos, and exclusive products and discounts. Prime provides a one-of-a-kind digital-physical hybrid benefit experience and now members can add Audible Channels and audiobooks to their daily habits.”
Celebrate #RoaldDahl's 100th birthday with a cake inspired by 'Bird Pie' in 'The Twits'! https://t.co/KVJs59Vwgg pic.twitter.com/06ElgwLFcI
— Audible UK ? (@audibleuk) September 13, 2016
Audible Channels provides Prime members original content, hand-picked playlists, top news selections in addition to audiobooks. Founder and Audible CEO Don Katz spoke about bringing the service to Prime members.
“The ultimate mission of Audible Channels is to invent new ways to unleash the power of well-composed and artfully spoken words. As millions of people every year discover the joy and utility of quality listening, Audible Channels will be the place where superior short-form audio information and entertainment captures and conveys a compelling sense of the world for daily consumption in fast-twitch time. We’re thrilled to make this evolving listening innovation available to Prime members.”
Original programming Amazon Prime members will have access to through the Audible app includes The Butterfly Effect, Ponzi Supernova, Damned Spot, West Cork and Extra Credit with Neal Pollack.
Amazon Prime members enjoy many benefits. Memberships cost $99 per year, and new subscribers may sign up for a free, 30-day trial. Prime members receive free, two-day shipping on orders without needing to meet a minimum purchase. The rewards of Amazon Prime are great, and many subscribers calculate the savings in shipping costs as being worth the annual fee. Many feel that the Amazon Prime cost pays for itself quickly due to saved shipping fees, fast delivery times and access to other Prime benefits.
Amazon has approximately 40,000 movies and television programs available through Prime video. Members may access Prime videos online, through apps or stream them to smart TVs. There is an extensive library in Prime music and Amazon photo storage is available to members.
There are Kindle books available to Prime members as well. Many of the free Kindle books have Audible tracks that will stream effortlessly with the app. There is the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library available to Prime members, that allows easy access to countless eBooks. Those who want to increase their eBook libraries can join Amazon Kindle Unlimited for an additional $9.99 per month. Now that Amazon has added Audible to the service, the expectation is high that more people will turn to Amazon Prime.
Amazon Prime offers additional add-on services; some require a fee. These include Amazon Family, Amazon Mom, Amazon Prime Pantry, Amazon Now, a six-month free trial to the Washington Post, Kindle First (a service that allows Prime members free access to one of the six editors’ picks eBooks), Amazon Dash for Prime and more. Amazon states that more original programming is planned for the new Audible Channel.
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