RBmedia to acquire Dreamscape Media

In the US, audiobook publisher RBmedia has agreed to acquire independent audiobook publisher Dreamscape Media, reports Publishers Weekly (PW).

In a statement, RBmedia CEO Michael Paull said Dreamscape would become ‘one of RBmedia’s core audio publishing groups’, giving RBmedia ‘additional depth in key genres’. In addition to a back catalogue of more than 7000 titles, Dreamscape releases about 1000 new titles annually in categories including mystery/thriller, romance, and children’s books, said PW.

Founded in 2010, Dreamscape reported a sales rise of almost 40% in 2023, compared to the previous year. Its sales were bolstered by the launch of a new sci-fi/fantasy division, Dreamscape Lore, and new partnerships with publishers including Bloodhound Books, Canongate, Marvel, Mayo Clinic Press, and Storm Publishing, reported PW, which highlighted authors Jeneva Rose and Lisa Jewell among the authors already using Dreamscape to release their audiobooks. Dreamscape Media includes Dreamscape Publishing, which acquires, produces, and distributes audiobooks, and Dreamscape Select, which offers audiobook support services to self-published authors.

As previously reported, RBmedia was last year sold to investment firm H.I.G Capital by previous owners KKR, the private equity firm that went on to acquire Simon & Schuster. The acquisition of Dreamscape is RBmedia’s second since it was sold by KKR in a deal reportedly valued at over US$1 billion.

RBmedia’s acquisition of Dreamscape is expected to be completed in this year’s third quarter.

Category: International news