Bonnier Books UK has acquired Nextory, the Stockholm-based streaming service for audiobooks, ebooks, and digital magazines, for an undisclosed amount. The deal transfers ownership of the Swedish platform to the British publishing group, which operates under the wider Bonnier Books umbrella.
Nextory, founded in 2015 by Shadi Bitar and Ninos Malki, has grown into one of Europe’s larger digital reading platforms. Its app offers access to a catalog of more than 900,000 titles across ten European markets. The service is built around unlimited distribution of stories and knowledge, with a stated mission to increase reading worldwide and support personal development and democratic discourse. Bonnier Books UK, a major trade publisher with imprints spanning fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, brings deep editorial and marketing expertise to the table.
The acquisition is a strategic move for Bonnier Books UK to expand its direct-to-consumer digital presence. While the publisher has long operated in physical and digital book sales, owning a streaming platform gives it a controlled channel for subscription-based access to content. For Nextory, joining the Bonnier group provides access to a larger network of authors, rights, and promotional capabilities, which could accelerate its growth in existing and new markets. The deal also aligns with broader industry trends where publishers seek to secure distribution channels amid rising competition from global tech platforms.
Both companies have emphasized continuity in their public statements, with Nextory’s founders expected to remain involved in day-to-day operations. The platform will continue to operate independently, retaining its brand and subscriber base. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the transaction is expected to close in the coming months pending regulatory approvals.
The combined entity will pair Nextory’s technology and subscriber relationships with Bonnier Books UK’s extensive content portfolio. This positions the group to strengthen its foothold in the European audiobook and ebook market, where subscription models are gaining traction. The success of the integration will likely hinge on how effectively the publisher can feed its new platform with exclusive titles while preserving the service’s user-friendly experience.