Bonnier developing new ebook subscription service

Publisher Bonnier is developing a new ebook and audiobook subscription service in its native Sweden, with plans to expand the service internationally, reports the Bookseller. The Bookbeat service is still in the early stages of development and is not yet open to the public, although a website went live 6 October, where customers can sign up to trial the service for free when it launches. The website states Bookbeat will operate on a fixed monthly subscription fee, which will give subscribers unlimited access to a selection of audiobooks and ebooks, including both backlist and new release titles. Subscribers will also receive personalised recommendations based on the books they have read and liked. According to the Bookseller, Bookbeat will aim to roll out the service ‘both nationally and internationally’, but did not give a date for when the service will be available in non-Swedish markets. As previously reported by Books+Publishing, ebook subscription service Oyster shut down operations in September. Its exit leaves Scribd and Amazon Unlimited as the major players in the digital subscription market.

Category: International news