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

Singapore-built AI oral examiner PSLEPrep analysed 12,459 answers in English and Chinese for its first Oral Practice Report.

Asked for a personal example, four in ten PSLE English oral practice answers give none, study finds SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – PSLEPrep, a Singapore-built AI ora...

Galaxy Macau Rewrites the Rules of Luxury Resort Hospitality from the Palm of Your Hand

The new Galaxy Resort App and Galaxy Rewards lifestyle membership programme promise to turn every stay into a shining moment — with dining, entertainment and best-in-class rewards choreographed for...

Mayo Clinic Laboratories Invests in Pathology Asia Holdings and LifeStrands Genomics to Advance Diagnostics and Precision Medicine

ROCHESTER, MINN., US / SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Pathology Asia Holdings (PAH) have announced a strategic investment and collaboration...

Aon Projects Southeast Asia Salary Increases to Remain Stable at 5.2% in 2027

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, projects that organisations across Southeast Asia are budgeting for sal...

Rising Demand Beyond Bangkok’s CBD Drives JustCo’s Expansion into Huai Khwang

JustCo brings its premium flexible workspace experience to Bangkok’s emerging Ratchada–Huai Khwang–Rama 9 business corridor with the launch of JustCo Jubilee Prestige Tower on 30 September 2026BANG...

COSDENT Pioneers a New Era of Human-Centred Dental Care Through AI and Innovation

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 September 2026 - In an industry where trust, comfort, and personal connection matter as much as clinical expertise, COSDENT Company Limited has bui...

Muang Thai Life Assurance Advances a New Era of Trusted Leadership and Sustainable Growth

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 September 2026 - In an industry where trust is built over generations, Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited (MTL) continues to demonstr...

International Stars Gather in Hualien, Taiwan

Stars from Korea, Japan and Hong Kong Perform at the Moon-Met Indigenous Voices Concert, Opening a Season of Sustainable TourismHUALIEN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire - 23 September 2026 - Hual...

Somchai Akkarawittayapoom Transforms Curiosity and Innovation Into a New Vision for Luxury Living

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 September 2026 - Great entrepreneurs are often defined by their willingness to question what others take for granted. For Mr. Somchai Akkarawittaya...

FastMed Releases Comparison of Hong Kong Online Healthcare and Prescription Medicine Platforms, Focusing on Service Scope, Pricing Information and Medication Fulfilment

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2026 – FastMed has compiled publicly available information from five online healthcare and prescription medicine platforms in Hong Kong: Fast...

Gift Cards as the gateway to agentic payments

Prepaid and stored value gives consumers the trust and control to try AI shopping agents By Blackhawk Network VP Head of ANZ Kieran Nolan For deca...

Why Data Accumulation Without Governance Undermines Sustainability Goals

In July 2026, Group 2 entities, the second cohort of Australian businesses, began their first reporting period under the mandatory climate disclosur...

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...