Development of the Efficiency of Chinese Audio Books on the Himalayas App
Yiming Ma, Prapas Nualnetr, Supanna Phatarametravorakul · International Journal of Sociologies and Anthropologies Science Reviews · 2025
Background and Aim: The global audiobook market has rapidly expanded due to digital technology advancements and increased accessibility through mobile devices, with particularly strong growth in China, supported by its cultural tradition of storytelling and government-backed digital initiatives. Himalaya FM plays a key role in this development, leading the market with a large user base, diverse content offerings, and strong user engagement. This study examines changing media consumption behavior in the digital age, focusing on the interaction between technology, culture, and content creators in the audiobook industry. It also highlights ongoing challenges such as production quality, copyright management, and the sustainability of business models—critical issues for the continued growth and development of the audiobook sector. (1) To study the situations in the production stage, the audio book, and audience feedback. (2) To propose the principle of development of the Chinese audio book on the Himalayas app. This research employed a qualitative approach, which involved both questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews. Materials and Methods: The sample group for this study included audiobook narrators, industry experts, platform managers, and those with expertise in media production and its impact on actual users. Additionally, focus group discussions were conducted to review and refine the preliminary findings by incorporating more targeted insights on content optimization, sound quality improvement, and platform usability. Results: (1) inefficiencies in audiobook production stem from inconsistent narration quality, a lack of industry-wide production standards, and insufficient adaptation of written content for auditory consumption; (2) the development of a structured framework, such as the Chinese Audiobook Efficiency Framework (CAEF), can guide industry stakeholders in implementing sustainable and scalable production strategies. Conclusion: These conclusions provide a foundation for advancing Chinese audiobook production, enhancing platform engagement, and promoting long-term industry growth.