The audio publisher
Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a Berlin-based audiobook publisher (founded 1999) producing audiobooks, audio dramas, and readings for German-speaking consumers, leveraging ARD broadcaster archive content and distributing via Audible, BookBeat, Spotify, and physical retail.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The audio publisher does
Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a Berlin-based audiobook publisher founded in 1999, operating as one of the established audiobook houses in the German-speaking (DACH) market. The company produces and distributes three primary content formats: Hörbücher (audiobooks), Hörspiele (audio dramas with multiple voice actors, sound effects, and music), Lesungen (single-narrator readings), and Features (documentary-style productions). Its catalog spans contemporary fiction, crime/thriller, classics, children's and young adult titles, fantasy, romance, science fiction, humor, self-help, and non-fiction. A core differentiator is its exclusive access to historical radio drama productions from the ARD broadcaster network (NDR, RBB, BR, SWR, WDR, HR, MDR, SR, Radio Bremen, Deutsche Welle) via the Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv, yielding catalog depth that includes works featuring legendary narrators such as Gert Westphal and Klaus Maria Brandauer.
DAV monetizes through a hybrid physical-and-digital model. Physical CDs are sold through book trade, online retailers, and media/record stores (Media Markt, Saturn) at unit prices ranging roughly €7.95–€40.00. Digital downloads are sold via a proprietary D2C shop (dav.hoebu.de) and distributed non-exclusively across Audible, BookBeat, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play, Thalia, and RTL+. The company also generates licensing/royalty revenue by acquiring audiobook rights from major German book publishers and producing radio drama adaptations, which are then co-distributed with public broadcasters (ORF in Austria, SRF in Switzerland extend the geographic footprint).
The go-to-market relies on multi-channel distribution (retail, e-commerce, streaming marketplaces), event-driven author readings at Literaturhäuser and cultural institutions, PR and trade press engagement, and direct consumer marketing through newsletters and an editorial website. DAV curates its catalog into named sub-brand editions—'besser leben.' (self-help), 'Große Werke. Große Stimmen.' (literary classics), 'Edition Simenon,' 'Große Gefühle. Große Stimmen.,' and 'Günter Grass – Die Autorenlesungen'—to sharpen positioning by genre and narrator prestige. Award validation (Deutscher Hörbuchpreis, hr2-Hörbuchbestenliste placements, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik) is recurring across 2019–2026, with three titles on the hr2 list in both July 2026 and December 2025, indicating sustained editorial relevance rather than one-off recognition.
The audio publisher firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The audio publisher
- Legal name
- Der Audio Verlag
- Website
- https://der-audio-verlag.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a Berlin-based audiobook publisher (founded 1999) producing audiobooks, audio dramas, and readings for German-speaking consumers, leveraging ARD broadcaster archive content and distributing via Audible, BookBeat, Spotify, and physical retail.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The audio publisher industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiobook Publishing
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (512250), Sound Recording Studios (51224), Sound Recording Industries (5122), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering) (MPAJAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD), Audiobook Rights & Licensing (Territorial/Format Rights, Agencies) (MPAJAIAG), Audiobook Technology & Services (Hosting/CDN, DRM, Analytics, Ad Insertion) (MPAJAIAI)
Keywords
Where The audio publisher is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The audio publisher business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Audiobook Sales (Physical CDs): DAV sells audiobooks as physical CDs through bookstores, online retailers, and record/media stores. Prices range from approximately €7.95 to €40.00 depending on format, length, and content type.
- Digital Downloads: DAV sells digital audiobook downloads through their proprietary shop (dav.hoebu.de) and distributes through major platforms including Audible, BookBeat, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play, Thalia, and RTL+.
- Licensing Content: DAV licenses audiobook rights from major German book publishers and produces content based on licensed literary works, generating revenue through production and distribution agreements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard audiobook CD prices |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Digital download prices |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
The audio publisher product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a German audiobook publisher that produces and sells audiobooks (Hörbücher), audio plays (Hörspiele), readings (Lesungen) and audio features, releasing them on physical CD and in digital formats. The company licenses rights from book publishers and from German public broadcasters' radio drama archives, then records, produces and distributes finished audio products to consumers and retailers.
Product overview
Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a German audiobook publisher offering a diverse catalog of audiobooks, audio plays, and readings across multiple genres. The core products are audiobooks (Hörbücher) available in both physical CD and digital download formats. The company publishes content through several named sub-brands/editions: 'besser leben.' (self-help), 'Große Werke. Große Stimmen.' (literary classics), 'Edition Simenon' (Georges Simenon works), 'Große Gefühle. Große Stimmen.' (emotional literature), and 'Günter Grass – Die Autorenlesungen' (author readings). DAV also operates a direct-to-consumer download shop. Content is distributed through partnerships with major audiobook platforms including Audible, BookBeat, Spotify, Apple Books, Google Play, Thalia, RTL+, and various book retailers. The company collaborates with German public radio broadcasters (ARD network) for production of audio dramas and literary content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- besser leben. Edition featuring self-help and wellness titles
- Große Werke. Große Stimmen.
- Edition Simenon
- Große Gefühle. Große Stimmen.
- Günter Grass – Die Autorenlesungen
Products and services
- Hörbücher (Audiobooks) Audiobook recordings of literary works, crime, thrillers, romance and classics, released as narrated audio productions for German-speaking listeners.
- Hörspiele (Audio Plays) Multi-voice audio drama productions with sound design, including original recordings and re-released historical radio plays from German public broadcaster archives.
- Lesungen (Readings) Audio recordings of literary texts performed as readings, often by the author or a featured narrator, for German-speaking listeners.
- Features (Audio Features) Audio feature productions that complement the publisher's audiobook and audio drama catalog with documentary-style audio content.
- DAV Download-Shop Der Audio Verlag's own direct-to-consumer digital download shop selling the publisher's audiobooks, audio plays and related titles as digital files.
Companies that use The audio publisher
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The audio publisher technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The audio publisher partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)coreBR provides access to archive radio drama productions for DAV to adapt and distribute as audiobooks. Productions include historical recordings featuring legendary narrators.
- Hessischer Rundfunk (HR)coreHR produces and airs audiobook content; DAV collaborates on productions including hr2-Hörbuchbestenliste featured titles.
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR)coreNDR provides archive productions including classic works like Cécile by Theodor Fontane (1975 production) for DAV distribution.
- Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB)coreRBB contributes radio drama productions from its archive for DAV's audiobook catalog.
- Südwestrundfunk (SWR)coreSWR provides archive productions including Fontane's Mathilde Möhring (1965) and Unterm Birnbaum (1948) for DAV's classic editions.
- Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)coreWDR collaborates on radio drama productions and provides archive content for DAV's audiobook catalog.
- Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR)coreMDR provides archive radio productions for DAV's audiobook distribution.
- DeutschlandfunkcoreDeutschlandfunk contributes to DAV's production partnerships for audiobook content.
- Deutschlandfunk KulturcoreCultural radio programming partner contributing to DAV's audiobook catalog.
- Deutsche WellecoreDeutsche Welle provided productions like Fontane's Frau Jenny Treibel (1988) for DAV's classic editions.
- Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF)coreAustrian public broadcaster partner for radio drama productions.
- SRF Schweizer Radio und FernsehencoreSwiss broadcaster partner contributing to DAV's international production network.
- Radio BremencoreRegional German broadcaster providing archive productions for DAV.
- Saarländischer Rundfunk (SR)coreRegional broadcaster contributing to DAV's production partnerships.
- Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv (DRA)coreGerman Radio Archive providing historical broadcast recordings for DAV's classic audiobook productions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
The audio publisher competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BookBeat: BookBeat is a major German audiobook streaming service owned by Bonnier. It serves as both a distribution platform for DAV content and a competitor producing or commissioning exclusive audiobooks through its publishing relationships, making it a hybrid partner/competitor in the DACH market.
- Audible (Amazon): Audible is the dominant audiobook platform globally and operates Audible Studios in Germany producing original audiobooks. While primarily a distribution partner for DAV, Audible's vertical integration into original content production makes it both a key channel and an increasingly direct competitor for bestselling German authors and exclusive content deals.
- Thalia (Thalia Bücher GmbH): Thalia is Germany's largest bookstore chain with a strong audiobook retail and distribution business, including its own audiobook label and streaming platform. It serves as both a major physical and digital distribution partner for DAV while also competing as a publisher producing its own audiobook content.
- Random House Audio (Penguin Random House): Random House Audio is the audiobook imprint of one of the world's largest trade publishers and operates prominently in Germany. It competes with DAV for major bestselling author rights, celebrity narrators, and shelf placement in bookstores and on streaming platforms, though with a broader portfolio including English-language and translated titles.
- Spotify: Spotify has become a major audiobook distribution platform in Germany and is increasingly producing original spoken-word content. While DAV distributes through Spotify, the platform's expansion into original audiobook production represents both a distribution opportunity and a competitive threat as it seeks exclusive content.
Direct peers
- Ohrka: Ohrka is a free German audiobook platform offering classic literature and children's audiobooks, partially funded through public broadcasting partnerships. It overlaps with DAV's classic literature and youth content categories and represents an alternative distribution/consumption model for similar catalog types.
- Argon Verlag: Argon Verlag is a major German audiobook publisher specializing in literary fiction, crime/thriller, and high-profile narrations with celebrity voice talent. It competes directly with DAV for bestselling author rights, premium narrator talent (e.g., David Nathan, who appears in both catalogs), and shelf space on Audible, Spotify, and German streaming platforms.
- Hörbuch Hamburg: Hörbuch Hamburg is a leading German audiobook publisher producing audiobooks, radio drama adaptations, and readings across multiple genres. It is one of DAV's closest direct competitors in the German-language audiobook publishing market with overlapping catalog categories, narrator talent pools, and distribution through similar streaming platforms.
Regional players
- Bonnier Media Deutschland (AudioNow): Bonnier Media Deutschland operates audio and book publishing businesses including BookBeat and related audiobook labels. While primarily serving DACH, Bonnier's broader European media portfolio and BookBeat platform represent both partnership opportunities and competitive overlap in German-language audiobook publishing.
Emerging players
- Hörspiel-Archiv / ARD Audiothek: The ARD Audiothek is the German public broadcaster consortium's own streaming platform featuring radio drama productions and audiobooks. It represents both a potential distribution channel and a structural competitive threat, as the same ARD broadcaster archives that supply DAV also publish directly through this platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The audio publisher social profiles
Digital presenceThe audio publisher financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The audio publisher leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The audio publisher funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The audio publisher M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The audio publisher
What does The audio publisher do?
Der Audio Verlag (DAV) is a German audiobook publisher that produces and sells audiobooks (Hörbücher), audio plays (Hörspiele), readings (Lesungen) and audio features, releasing them on physical CD and in digital formats. The company licenses rights from book publishers and from German public broadcasters' radio drama archives, then records, produces and distributes finished audio products to consumers and retailers.
Is The audio publisher a public or private company?
The audio publisher is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was The audio publisher founded?
The audio publisher was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The audio publisher based?
The audio publisher is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does The audio publisher make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Audiobook Sales (Physical CDs) is the primary driver. The others are digital Downloads and licensing Content.
Who are The audio publisher's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BookBeat, Audible (Amazon), Thalia (Thalia Bücher GmbH), Random House Audio (Penguin Random House) and Spotify. Direct peers are Ohrka, Argon Verlag and Hörbuch Hamburg. Bonnier Media Deutschland (AudioNow) is listed as a regional player. Hörspiel-Archiv / ARD Audiothek is listed as an emerging player.
Does The audio publisher have an API?
No public API is recorded for The audio publisher.
What industry is The audio publisher in?
The audio publisher's product category is Audiobook Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAIAB, Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering), with a secondary code of MPAJAIAD, Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer). Its NAICS code is 512250 and its SIC code is 2731.