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

JOYY Delivers YoY and QoQ Growth in Total Revenues as Diversified Businesses Sustain Strong Momentum

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – JOYY Inc. (NASDAQ: JOYY) ("JOYY" or the "Company"), a leading global technology company, today released its unaudited financial results for t...

Bertelsmann Stiftung: Artificial intelligence can strengthen citizen participation

The Bertelsmann Stiftung's new Policy Brief uses 50 case studies from 22 countries to illustrate how AI can support citizen participation and to identify the risks that must be considered. The stud...

Binzhou Unveils "Trade-In" Housing Models to Stabilize Real Estate Market

BINZHOU, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 August 2026 - At a policy briefing on the Binzhou Integrated Real Estate Policy Package held by the Information Office of the Binzhou Municipal Gover...

Hardcore Quality Conquers Global Users: GREE Premium RACs Top the 2025 Global Sales

ZHUHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 August 2026 - Recently, Frost & Sullivan, a globally renowned market research and consulting firm, awarded GREE Electric Appliances a certificate, ...

Only 49% of Singaporeans Feel Prepared for the Next Decade

Financial pressures and burnout emerge as key challenges to life preparedness according to Etiqa Insurance Singapore Life Preparedness Survey 2026SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 20...

Shanghai Summer 2026 Makes the City Easier to Explore with New Travel, Payment and Visitor Services

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – From tapping into the metro and paying at local shops to claiming tax refunds, booking family stays and unlocking dining benefits, Shan...

Arrow Electronics brings AI, electrification, and intelligent power solutions to PCIM Asia

Addressing AI's growing power demands with greater efficiency and resilienceSHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – Arrow Electronics, a global provider of technology solutio...

Huawei and HP Inc. Sign Global Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement

SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – Today, Huawei and HP Inc. announced the signing of a multiyear global patent cross-licensing agreement, including license to HP Inc...

SIRIVANNAVARI Designs Thailand’s Official Ceremony Uniforms For The 20th Asian Games

Thai craftsmanship and contemporary design come together under “The Art of Unity”, bringing locally handwoven cotton and traditional indigo textiles to the international sporting stage.BANGKOK, THA...

Dr. Terence Tan, Medical Director of Halley Body Slimming Clinic, Discusses an Integrated Approach to Semaglutide Treatment and Weight Management at the Society of Aesthetic Medicine (Singapore) Conference 2026

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – On Sunday, 26 July 2026, Dr. Terence Tan of Halley Body Slimming Clinic presented at the Society of Aesthetic Medicine (Singapore) Conference...

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...