In an attempt to meet the needs of those with no time to read, the Economist is launching an online audio version of every issue of the magazine.

Beginning this week, listeners will be able to download audio versions of articles by section or in their entirety, from the magazine's Web site. The service is free to subscribers, and non-subscribers can buy each issue for £4. The weekly has a worldwide print circulation of nearly 1,198,000, and says it is the first top international publication to offer a full audio edition.

Offering audio versions for readers to take advantage of while they are on the move follows the turn newspapers have taken into offering podcasts on their Web sites.