Tuesday, June 06, 2017
The State of Digital Book Publishing in Canada 2016
 

BookNet Canada a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry just released this great Infographic of the State of Digital Publishing in the Book industry.. 

 

The State of Digital Publishing in Canada reports are now in their fourth year. Each year they look at the size, scope, and production processes of the digital publishing market in Canada. The 2016 report can be downloaded at this link 

 
 



Here are some highlights of the 2016 report. 

  • 37% of publishers produce digital audiobooks
  • 56% of publishers have more than 1/2 of their titles digitized
  • 52% of publishers have over 1/2 of their juvenile titles digitized
  • 67% of publishers are including accessibility features in their ebooks
  • When do publishers release ebooks for new titles?
  • 5% do so before the print version
  • 68% do so simultaneously with the print version
  • 27% do so after the print version
  • What are publishers' reasons for creating ebooks?
  • 80% hope to increase sales
  • 73% want to meet accessibility needs
  • 73% are satisfying consumer demand

 

 

 

Ebook sales vs. print in Canada

 

As true this year as it was last year, people are still talking about print book sales being up at the expense of ebooks. The stories this year have tended to focus less on the increased pricing of ebooks, as was the case last year, and more on readers rediscovering the tactile experience of print books and digital fatigue.

 

While it is true that the number of available ebooks with sales continues to decline — from a high of 88% in 2014 to just 54% in 2016 — some of this might be due to the growing number of digitized backlist titles. It might also be caused in part by a 2.1% decline in ebook sales from 2015 to 2016, according to consumer surveying.

 

However, while the number of ebooks without sales went up, so too did revenue for 61% of reporting firms: 25% of them experienced a digital revenue increase of more than 25% over the previous year.

 

Audiobooks in Canada

 

While the print versus digital debate continues, what has become clear is that audiobooks are having their moment. In 2016, 37% of the publishers we surveyed were producing digital audiobooks, which is a large jump from 16% in 2015. And those firms have anywhere from zero to 7,000 active audiobook titles.

 

Ainsley Sparkes
Booknet Cannada,Research & Analysis

 

 
- Industry Guest Blogger
About Me
Industry Guest Blogger
 
This guest blog is for an exchange of stories from members of the publishing industry be it a magazine, newsapaper or digital only publisher to help foster change and innovation in the digital age. These stories will inspire the industry with ideas to help the industry prosper and keep it relevant with readers and advertisers. If you will like to contribute your story contact Martin Seto 416-907-6562 or masthead@reflexmediasales.com.
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