The programming is usually in series format due to the length of the books.
The productions may be for radio only, or also distributed through other media such as vinyl record, cassette tape, CD-ROM and digital download.
The concept is differentiated from the radio reading service, which also consists of reading books in an audio format, in that the radio reading service is designed for accessibility to the visually impaired, illiterate and others unable to read, whereas the radio audiobook format is designed as entertainment for a general audience.
The radio reading service is thus more restricted because it must read its material verbatim and lacks the artistic licence available to a radio audiobook format.
The following is a list of radio shows that play audiobooks.