Ingram is teaming with Recorded Books to launch a new downloadable audio service for libraries. Under the agreement, Ingram will move its downloadable audio content to Recorded Books’ OneClickdigital platform with the transition being completed sometime in the second quarter. Ingram will add just under 14,000 digital spokenword audio titles from about 80 publishers, mostly from its MyiLibrary audio service, to Recorded Books’ digital library. Ingram’s MyiLibrary audio service (but not the e-book service) will be phased out. With the deal, Recorded Book’s titles will become available through Ingram’s iPage for the first time.
Ingram executives noted that the Ingram-Recorded Books combination contains no title overlap, and will allow libraries access audiobook titles from both companies from a single platform. Librarians will be able to order either audiobook titles through Recorded Books or iPage. Ingram will promote the OneClickdigital service to publishers. Although Recorded Books has not yet released all the details about OneClickdigital, the deal with Ingram positions Recorded Book to compete with OverDrive in the digital audiobook space. “The launch of our OneClickdigital platform is a great milestone for our Recorded Books,” company president Scott Williams said.
