The phenomenon that is Harry Potter rolls on. Listening Library, the children's imprint of Random House Audio, has announced its acquisition of North American audio publishing rights to the fifth Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The unabridged audiobook will be released on both cassette and CD in the U.S. and Canada on Saturday, June 21, simultaneously with the Scholastic hardcover.
Listening Library has published the audio editions of the first four Harry Potter titles, narrated by actor Jim Dale, which, combined, boast nearly three million copies in print (all formats). Dale will continue as narrator for the fifth book, reprising a performance that earned him a Grammy in 2000. As she did on the previous Harry titles, Random House executive producer Orli Moscowitz will oversee the new recording, estimated to have a 26-hour running time. The program of approximately 18 cassettes, or 23 CDs, will retail for $45 and $75, respectively.
David Naggar, president of Random House Audio & Diversified Publishing Group, and Tim Ditlow, v-p, publisher of Listening Library, negotiated the deal with Rowling's agent, Christopher Little in London. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
