Rakuten Kobo has unveiled its Kobo Plus subscription service in Malaysia, offering readers unlimited access to a vast library of digital content. Starting at an affordable monthly fee of MYR 27.00, subscribers can delve into over two million eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks.
This launch allows Malaysian book enthusiasts, including the existing community of over 200,000 Kobo members, to explore new literary horizons through the Kobo Books App on iOS and Android devices, as well as directly on Kobo eReaders.
The move comes amidst a surge in the global eBook market, which is currently valued at USD 18.02 billion and projected to reach USD 22.76 billion by 2030, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.78%. With Asia identified as a key driver of this growth, Kobo’s expansion into Malaysia strategically positions the company to capitalize on the region’s increasing demand for digital reading solutions. This initiative aims to cater to a new generation of readers who prioritize cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and convenience.
The Kobo Plus collection encompasses a diverse range of genres, featuring contemporary bestsellers, timeless classics, thrilling suspense novels, romantic narratives, and insightful non-fiction works.
“The popularity of eBooks in Malaysia is on the rise, fueled by evolving reading habits, widespread smartphone usage, and a growing preference for digital content,” stated Michael Tamblyn, President & CEO of Rakuten Kobo. “Kobo Plus aims to make reading more accessible and flexible, granting book lovers the freedom to explore an extensive catalogue without limitations. Whether discovering new authors, exploring diverse genres, or reading across multiple devices, Kobo Plus is designed to seamlessly integrate with the modern Malaysian reading experience.”
The Kobo Plus library is continuously expanding, with new titles added monthly. The service offers three subscription options:
- Kobo Plus Read: Unlimited eBooks for MYR 27 per month.
- Kobo Plus Listen: Unlimited audiobooks for MYR 27 per month.
- Kobo Plus Read and Listen: Unlimited eBooks and audiobooks for MYR 35 per month.
This unlimited reading model is ideal for avid readers who consume multiple books monthly and those who prefer to sample content before committing to a purchase. With Kobo eReaders and the free Kobo reading app, exploring new authors and series has never been more convenient.
Kobo’s range of eReaders, including the Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara Colour, Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Elipsa 2E, and Kobo Sage, further enhance the Kobo Plus experience. These devices boast features such as waterproofing, ComfortLight PRO for blue light reduction, and, in higher-end models, stylus compatibility and page-turn buttons, catering to the needs of modern, on-the-go readers.
