• Audiobooks.com, the second largest provider of audiobooks in North America, launched in the UK today
• Audiobooks.com owner, RBmedia, builds on 18 years of UK success with leading audiobook publisher W.F. Howes
• The service launches with a market-leading offer – two free audiobooks to new users who sign up to a new trial

London: 18^th October 2017: Audiobooks.com, the second largest provider of audiobooks in North America, has today launched in the UK market. Owner RBmedia announced the launch of the service after years of success in the UK with sister company, and leading audiobook publisher, W.F. Howes.

The service launches with a market-leading introductory offer, with which new customers can claim two free books when they sign up to a free trial. After the free trial period, Audiobooks.com’s £7.99 per month subscription will entitle members to one premium audiobook per month, on top of which extra titles can be purchased. Users can redeem credits for new titles within the mobile app rather than needing to visit the desktop site (as with other similar services). Audiobooks.com is also available on a variety of platforms including smartphones, desktops, smartwatches, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and with the infotainment systems in select Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles.

Audiobooks.com’s expansion into the UK follows another impressive year for the audiobook industry, which saw explosive growth around the globe: the North American Audio Publishers Association reported an increase of 33.9% in audiobook units in 2016, while in the UK the Publisher’s Association reports the total consumer audio downloads increased by 28%. Audiobooks continue to outpace print and e-book sales as the fastest growing format in publishing.

Audiobooks.com is owned by RBmedia, a global leader in spoken audio content and digital media distribution technology. RBmedia also owns Leicester-based audiobook publisher W.F. Howes – the number one provider of apps, audiobooks and related content to consumers via UK retailers and libraries. Audiobooks.com promises to offer an unparalleled service to consumers in Britain.

During a soft launch of Audiobooks.com in the UK, British users have already listened to almost 1.7 million hours of content, which is equal to 193 years’ worth of listening. By the end of 2017, Audiobooks.com expects to have over 70,000 titles available for UK members.

Ian Small, CEO, Audiobooks.com, commented: “We know what consumers and publishers want from our library platform experience and are leveraging this knowledge to bring Audiobooks.com to the UK market. Our British customers have already downloaded 60,000 audiobooks from our platform during a short soft launch, and with thousands more titles to be added this year, we expect the UK market to go from strength to strength.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

 For more information please contact [email protected] or telephone 0207 592 1200 and ask to speak to one of the Audiobooks.com team.

 About Audiobooks.com

Audiobooks.com, an RBmedia company, is a market-leading streaming and download service for audiobooks, delivering fast and easy access to over 100,000 titles globally to booklovers via the free Audiobooks.com app for Apple and Android. The service can be used at home on Sonos or tvOS, and in-car on CarPlay, Android Auto and with the infotainment systems in select Land Rover and Jaguar vehicles. The company’s proprietary technology synchronizes users’ last listened-to position across all devices, creating a seamless user experience.

About RBmedia

RBmedia is a global leader in spoken audio content and digital media distribution technology that reaches millions of consumers – at home, in the car, and wherever their mobile devices take them. RBmedia produces exclusive titles and delivers the finest digital content – including audiobooks, educational courses, entertainment titles, and much more. RBmedia comprises an ever-expanding group of the best brands in spoken audio content and digital media distribution technology. Find out more at www.rbmediaglobal.com.

About W.F. Howes

W.F. Howes Ltd, an RBmedia company, is the UK’s leading audiobook publisher and digital services provider. Established in 1999, the company publishes more than 700 audiobook titles annually across library, trade and consumer download channels. Through the publisher’s proprietary RBdigital platform it provides e-lending of audiobooks, eBooks and magazines. For more information, visit www.wfhowes.co.uk.