MSN Takes on Audiobooks

Expanding MSN Music with Audiobooks

MSN and MediaBay have joined forces to bring a rich selection of audiobooks to the millions of MSN users across the United States. The partnership will place MediaBay’s catalog directly inside the MSN Music service, offering instant downloads for listeners who prefer spoken word over traditional music.

MediaBay’s titles include exclusive releases from the country’s largest audiobook publishers. These titles will be available only through the MSN Music portal, creating a unique value proposition for subscribers who already trust MSN for their digital music needs. By packaging these audiobooks alongside popular music tracks, MSN is transforming its platform into a one‑stop shop for all audio entertainment.

“This partnership builds on our long‑standing reputation as a leading marketer and distributor of audiobooks on physical media,” said Jeffrey Dittus, CEO of MediaBay. “Shifting to a digital format lets us reach a wider audience, reduce delivery costs, and respond quickly to consumer demand.” The collaboration represents a strategic move toward a fully digital media ecosystem, leveraging MSN’s robust online presence and MediaBay’s industry expertise.

The MSN Music service already boasts a straightforward sign‑up process, hassle‑free purchasing, and high‑quality audio streams. Users can enjoy music and, now, audiobooks through their web browser or the latest Windows Media Player 10. The platform’s compatibility with a broad range of portable devices - more than any other music service - makes it an ideal destination for audiobooks, especially as mobile listening grows.

Christine Andrews, lead product manager for MSN Entertainment at Microsoft, highlighted the excitement around the addition of MediaBay’s titles. “Our goal has always been to provide the largest library of both music and spoken‑word content to our customers,” Andrews said. “MediaBay brings new bestsellers from the New York Times, along with back‑list titles from authors such as John Grisham, Tom Wolfe, Mary Higgins Clark, Bill Clinton, and Stephen King.” By expanding its catalog, MSN aims to attract both traditional audiobook listeners and those who may be new to the format.

Research from the Audio Publishers Association underscores the fit. Seventy percent of audiobook listeners use car audio systems or portable devices, a trend that aligns perfectly with MSN Music’s device ecosystem. MediaBay’s titles will sit comfortably on the same platform that users already trust for music, lowering the barrier to entry for audiobooks.

Beyond catalog expansion, the partnership delivers practical benefits. The digital distribution model cuts the cost of physical production, packaging, and shipping. With a vast library now available for download, MSN can offer lower prices or bundle deals that would be impossible with CDs or tape. The result is a more efficient supply chain and a better price point for consumers.

The partnership also signals a broader shift in how media companies approach digital distribution. As bandwidth continues to improve and broadband adoption climbs, consumers increasingly prefer instant, on‑demand access to audio content. MSN and MediaBay are positioning themselves at the forefront of this change, ensuring that listeners can find both music and audiobooks in one seamless experience.

With the collaboration in place, MSN Music users will enjoy a growing range of titles, from classic literature to contemporary thrillers, all accessible through a single interface. As the catalog expands, the platform’s value proposition will strengthen, encouraging more users to sign up and stay engaged.

For MediaBay, the partnership provides a new distribution channel that reaches millions of potential listeners daily. The company can tap into MSN’s marketing reach and data analytics to target audiences more precisely, optimizing promotional efforts and driving sales.

Overall, the MSN-MediaBay collaboration represents a win‑win: MSN enriches its service offering, MediaBay extends its digital footprint, and consumers gain a broader, more convenient listening library - all while the industry moves toward a future where digital is the default.

Growth Outlook and Market Strategy

The audiobook market has shown steady expansion over the past decade, with sales reaching roughly $800 million in 2004 and growing 10 percent annually since 1989. MediaBay’s CEO, Jeffrey Dittus, projects that by 2008 the market will exceed $1.1 billion, with downloads capturing an increasingly large share of total sales.

Internet penetration has become critical to this growth. As broadband access reaches critical mass, the convenience of digital downloads makes audiobooks more appealing. Consumers no longer need to wait for shipments or store visits; they can download a title instantly to a laptop, phone, or portable media player.

MSN’s existing user base provides a ready audience for this shift. The company already supports a high‑volume traffic ecosystem, handling millions of daily visits across its news, entertainment, and email platforms. By adding audiobooks to MSN Music, the service taps into this traffic, offering users additional reasons to linger on the site and explore new content.

The partnership also addresses the longstanding issue of digital rights management. Joseph Rosetti, former IBM security head and MediaBay chairman, emphasized Microsoft’s Windows Media DRM platform as a key selling point. “Publishers need reliable protection for their content, and the DRM solution integrated into Windows Media Player is already widely adopted,” Rosetti explained. “It offers secure delivery across computers, portable devices, and networks.”

Secure DRM not only protects publishers’ intellectual property but also reassures consumers that their purchases are safe. With widespread DRM support, listeners can feel confident that they are accessing legitimate, high‑quality audio without the risk of piracy.

In addition to security, the platform’s compatibility is a decisive factor. The Windows Media ecosystem supports a variety of file formats and devices, from desktop PCs to Xbox consoles. This broad compatibility means users can enjoy audiobooks on the device of their choice, enhancing convenience and user satisfaction.

From a marketing perspective, the partnership offers multiple channels for promotion. MSN’s email newsletters, targeted ads, and social media accounts can highlight new audiobook releases, author interviews, and exclusive content. MediaBay can leverage these channels to reach audiences that traditionally consume audio through streaming services or bookstores.

By combining MSN’s distribution reach with MediaBay’s catalog and industry expertise, the alliance creates a virtuous cycle. Higher sales drive better data on listening habits, informing future content acquisition and personalized recommendations. The data can then refine MSN’s recommendation algorithms, ensuring that listeners discover new titles that match their tastes.

As the market matures, publishers will increasingly seek digital distribution partners to keep up with changing consumer habits. MSN Music’s established infrastructure makes it an attractive partner, offering immediate access to millions of users and a proven track record in digital media sales.

Ultimately, the partnership positions both companies to capture a larger share of the evolving audio market. With the right combination of catalog depth, user-friendly technology, and robust security, MSN and MediaBay are poised to meet the growing demand for convenient, high‑quality audiobooks.