Business Daily Media

The Times


.

Rakuten Kobo Launches Unlimited eBook and Audiobook Subscription in Malaysia

Kobo Plus gives avid readers unlimited access to Kobo’s library of over 2 million eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks at an affordable monthly fee

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 March 2025 - Leading digital reading retailer and publisher Rakuten Kobo today launched Kobo Plus in Malaysia – the all-you-can-read subscription offering book lovers unlimited access to over 2 million eBooks and over 300,000 audiobooks starting from an affordable monthly fee of just MYR 27.00.

From left to right: Julian Chou, General Manager of Rakuten Kobo Asia, Denon Lim, President and Chief Editor of Lingzi Media, Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, Hironori Shimada, Director of Rakuten Asia, and Maureen Ho, Chief Editor of Focus Publishing.
From left to right: Julian Chou, General Manager of Rakuten Kobo Asia, Denon Lim, President and Chief Editor of Lingzi Media, Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, Hironori Shimada, Director of Rakuten Asia, and Maureen Ho, Chief Editor of Focus Publishing.

Avid readers and book lovers across Malaysia – including more than 200,000 existing Kobo members – can now access Kobo Plus via the Kobo Books App for iOS or Android and directly on Kobo eReaders to begin discovering new authors and genres.

The global eBook market is valued at USD 18.02 billion this year and is projected to grow to USD 22.76 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.78%. The driving force of growth is expected to come from Asia, and the launch of Kobo Plus in Malaysia strategically aligns with the region's increasing demand for digital reading. This expansion positions Kobo to tap into emerging opportunities across Asia, catering to a new generation of readers who prioritize affordability, accessibility, and convenience.

The Kobo Plus eBook and audiobook collection features a breadth of stories, including the latest bestsellers, beloved literary classics, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, sweeping romances, thought-provoking nonfiction, and more.

"eBooks have never been more popular in Malaysia, driven by changing reading habits, increased smartphone usage, and a shift towards digital content," said Michael Tamblyn, President & CEO, Rakuten Kobo. "With Kobo Plus, we're making reading more accessible and flexible than ever, giving book lovers the freedom to explore a vast and diverse catalogue without limits. Whether it's discovering new authors, diving into different genres, or reading across multiple devices, Kobo Plus is designed to fit seamlessly into the way Malaysians read today—and how they'll read tomorrow."

The Kobo Plus catalogue is ever-growing, with more titles being added to the collection each month. The service has three budget-friendly subscription plan offers:
  • Kobo Plus Read: Unlimited eBooks for MYR 27.00 per month
  • Kobo Plus Listen: Unlimited audiobooks for MYR 27.00 per month
  • Kobo Plus Read and Listen: Unlimited eBooks and audiobooks for MYR 35.00 per month

With unlimited reading for one low monthly fee, the Kobo Plus subscription is the perfect choice for avid readers who go through multiple books a month, as well as those who like to sample a few chapters before committing. With a Kobo eReader or the free Kobo reading app, there's never been a better time to explore new authors and series.

Kobo's portfolio of eReaders – which includes Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara Colour, Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Elipsa 2E, and Kobo Sage – with their innovative features such as waterproofing and ComfortLight PRO for blue light reduction, along with stylus compatibility and page-turn buttons in the higher-end models, further enhance the Kobo Plus reading experience for modern booklovers on the go.
Hashtag: #RakutenKobo


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is the world's digital bookseller created by and for book lovers. Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten Group, Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo's millions of worldwide users can read anytime, anywhere, and on any device. With a mission to make reading lives better for all, Rakuten Kobo connects readers to stories using thoughtful and personalized curation of eBooks and audiobooks, and the best dedicated eReaders and apps for reading. With the singular focus of making reading lives the best they can be, Kobo's open platform allows people to fit reading into more moments in their busy lives.

News from Asia

HKSTP Connects Hong Kong Innovation with Malaysia’s Growth Opportunities Leading Park Companies to Forge New Partnership Across ASEAN

Leading Park Companies to Forge New Partnership Across ASEANKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) recently ...

361°’s profit attributable to equity holders up 8.0% to RMB930 million in 1H 2026 Interim dividend of HK22.2 cents per share declared at a 45% payout ratio

Deepening professional resources and product‑technology expertise Optimising channels and accelerating brand globalisationHONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – 361 Degrees In...

Orbis Future Vision Leaders 2025/26 Mobilizes 330+ Hong Kong Tertiary Students to Serve Over 2,200 Community Beneficiaries

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 August 2026 - The Grand Final and Award Ceremony of Orbis Future Vision Leaders 2025/26 concluded successfully at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, The Uni...

AsianPLAS 2026 Connects Global Buyers with Plastics & Rubber Suppliers Through an Extended Online Exhibition

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 - Asian Plastics & Rubber Industry Online Exhibition 2026 (AsianPLAS 2026) officially opens on August 19, launching an extended online...

Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau Wins ESG Champion Award For Sustainable Healthcare At Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2026

JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau has been awarded Company of the Year – ESG Champion for Health, Wellness and Sustainability at the ...

tridorian launches Gemini Enterprise Experience Center in Singapore to help enterprises turn AI ambition into business outcomes

New executive experience center helps business and technology leaders explore secure, connected AI workflows built around real business priorities. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 August ...

Chuangxin Industries builds on integrated aluminium strategy as earnings accelerate

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – China's aluminium industry entered 2026 against a landscape of unusual volatility. Rising geopolitical tensions, higher energy costs and ...

iHerb Kicks Off 30th Anniversary Celebrations in Singapore

SINGAPORE– Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – Ahead of its 30th anniversary, iHerb is highlighting probiotics, collagen, B vitamins and everyday care products, alongside an early-bird flas...

#legend Announces Next Phase of Digital Growth Strategy Under Chairman Bruce Rockowitz

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 August 2026 - #legend today announced the next phase of its digital growth strategy under Chairman Bruce Rockowitz, with a clear focus on expanding aud...

Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards and Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2026 China Chapter Celebrate Resilient Enterprises Forging Legacies of Excellence and Impact

SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire – 19 August 2026 – The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) and Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2026 China celebrated a new generation of resil...

Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Gives Small Businesses Greater Planning Certainty

The Federal Government’s decision to permanently legislate the $20,000 instant asset write-off will give eligible small businesses greater certainty...

Selling a Small Business in Australia: Understanding the Capital Gains Tax Concessions

For many Australian business owners, selling a business represents the reward for years—sometimes decades—of hard work. Unlike employees who may bu...

Australian businesses lean into global strategic partnerships (GCCs) for next wave of outsourcing

The Australian corporate landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation in how it sources talent and innovation. While businesses have traditi...

The New Pressure Gap Crushing Small Businesses

Starting any business and making it prosper is a major undertaking. Part of the challenge is managing the uncertainty, but the financial pressures o...

Click Frenzy returns with a free EOFY sale event for retailers this month

New owners Gabby and Hezi Leibovich bring back Australia’s leading ecommerce sales event with Australia Post as Major Sponsor   Click Frenzy is ...

The 95 Per Cent Failure Rate Is Not An AI Problem

Most Australian SMEs I speak with are already having a go at AI. Some are running formal pilots, others have a team member quietly experimenting o...