Why Readers Will Skip Your eBook in 2026

Readers are no longer just reading.

They are moving between formats without thinking, from a chapter to a short video to an audio excerpt in minutes.

The shift is bigger than most publishers realise: 

1. Digital formats now make up over 12% of total sales for major publishers (and increasing). 
2. More than 57% of U.S. consumers now prefer reading in mixed formats (audio + eBook). 
3. Audiobook sales are growing 14% year over year and are becoming a daily habit for millions.

And yet, nearly 90% of ebooks worldwide are still text-only. Readers notice the gap. And when they do, they leave.

In this session, we’ll show what’s driving this change, why it’s accelerating, and how publishers are adapting in time. You’ll see exactly how you can act fast and how you can stay in the race before readers move on for good.