Global Publishing Trends: Spotify, AI and Market Shifts – February 23, 2026

The publishing landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by digital innovation, shifting consumer habits, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. This week brings insights into growth in audiobook markets, the impact of streaming services, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-generated content.

Kodansha’s Digital Growth Offsets Print Decline

Japanese publisher Kodansha reported mixed financial results for its fiscal period ending November 30, 2025. Net revenue decreased slightly by 1.1% year-over-year to ¥169.169 billion ($1.13 billion), while net profit rose by 19.4% to ¥11.188 billion ($75 million). This profitability increase is attributed to improved operational efficiency. Notably, digital income grew by 8% to ¥86.191 billion ($575 million), counteracting an 8.6% decline in physical product sales to ¥43.021 billion ($287 million). Publishing Perspectives reports that the interplay between digital growth and print decline remains complex, particularly given Kodansha’s private ownership and limited public reporting.

Spotify Fuels Audiobook Market Expansion in Sweden

Spotify’s launch of audiobooks in Sweden in November has significantly expanded the market, adding approximately one million households – an 80% increase in penetration. More than half of Swedish households now have access to audiobooks through a subscription, according to Mediavision. Principal Analyst Fredrik Liljeqvist notes that Spotify has “changed the competitive landscape overnight.” The integration of audiobooks into existing premium subscriptions has positioned Spotify as a dominant player, accounting for over half of the Swedish audiobook market. This suggests a potential “rising-tide effect,” where increased access could lead to growth for both Spotify and dedicated audiobook platforms like Storytel, BookBeat, and Nextory.

Game Developers and Publishers Collaborate on New Narratives

Polish game developer Bloober Team is partnering with Foksal Publishing Group to publish books set in the universes of its games. The first title, a horror novel by Marta Bijan set in the Layers of Fear universe, is scheduled for release later in 2026. Rynek Książki reports that the agreement covers Polish-language editions and worldwide rights sales, including audiobooks. This collaboration represents a growing trend of cross-industry partnerships, expanding narrative immersion beyond traditional game adaptations.

Ireland’s Backlist Drives Modest Growth

The Irish book market experienced modest growth in 2025, with sales revenue rising to €164 million ($177 million) from €162 million ($175 million) in 2024. A significant trend is the increasing dominance of backlist titles, now accounting for 80% of annual sales, according to NielsenIQ BookData and Publishing Ireland. The Bookseller reports that this is a higher percentage than in major markets like the U.S., potentially due to the focus of Irish publishers on nonfiction categories like Irish history, biography, and culture.

Russia’s Digital Book Market Continues to Surge

Russia’s book market grew by over 13% in 2025, reaching 111 billion rubles ($1.18 billion), driven largely by digital and audio formats. Eksmo, a leading Russian publisher, saw total revenue increase by more than 18%, with audiobooks up 52% year-over-year and now representing over 60% of its digital revenue. Though, this growth is occurring alongside increased regulatory scrutiny and content restrictions, leading to the withdrawal of some titles, including Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore, pending review. Kommersant details these challenges.

India Gains Consumer Insight with New Research

NielsenIQ BookData has introduced its Books & Consumers study in India, providing valuable consumer insights alongside retail sales tracking. Early findings indicate that adult nonfiction accounts for 51% of total trade sales, with personal development being the most popular audiobook category. This contrasts with the Nordic market, where fiction dominates audiobook sales. All About Book Publishing highlights the importance of this new data for understanding the Indian market.

Japan Considers Official Status for Digital Textbooks

Japan’s Ministry of Education is considering granting digital textbooks the same official status as print editions, allowing them to undergo government screening and qualify for free distribution in schools. The proposed framework, targeted for 2030, aims to provide students with more format choices. However, some academics caution against conferring official status prematurely, citing concerns about learning effectiveness and eye strain. Asia News Network reports on this ongoing debate.

South Korea Grapples with AI-Generated Content and Legal Deposits

South Korea’s National Library of Korea has rejected deposits from an AI-based publisher producing a high volume of titles (approximately 9,000 annually), citing “edited public materials” and “repetitive content.” This marks the first time AI-generated publications have been declined under the country’s mandatory deposit system. The decision comes as compensation payouts for ebook deposits have risen sharply, raising concerns about potential abuse of the system. The Chosunilbo details these developments.

Other Industry News

• A pop-up bookstore, including audiobook stations, has opened at the Salon international de l’agriculture in Paris.
• Mainz-based bookstore Cardabela was selected for the German Bookstore Prize.
• Frankfurt-based social reading app READO secured a seven-figure funding round.
• Warsaw’s Municipal Lost Property Office received 61 e-readers in 2025.
• Crius Group is hosting a webinar on “Accessibility and AI in the publishing sector” on February 26.
• Research indicates that creative writing is rated less favorably when labeled as AI-generated.

These global trends underscore the dynamic nature of the publishing industry, with technology and consumer preferences driving significant change. The continued growth of digital formats, the emergence of AI-generated content, and the evolving role of streaming services will shape the future of publishing in the years to come.