RBmedia Acquires GraphicAudio

RBmedia Acquires Upfront Books' Audiobook Publishing Business

July 6, 2022

Media & Entertainment

RBmedia, the KKR-owned global audiobook publisher, has acquired the audiobook publishing business and full catalog of Upfront Books. The acquisition adds Upfront's technology-driven catalog of evergreen titles to RBmedia's distribution network to accelerate global reach and growth of the acquired titles.

RBmedia Acquires McGraw Hill Professional Audiobook Publishing Business

May 11, 2021

Media & Entertainment

RBmedia acquired McGraw Hill Professional's audiobook publishing business and catalog, and signed a multi-year agreement to be the exclusive audio publisher for new McGraw Hill Professional titles. The deal expands RBmedia's business and professional audio offerings while allowing McGraw Hill Professional to monetize its audio rights through a strategic publishing partnership.

H.I.G. Capital and Francisco Partners Acquire RBmedia from KKR

September 14, 2023

Media & Entertainment

H.I.G. Capital (via an affiliate), joined by Francisco Partners and RBmedia management, agreed to acquire RBmedia, the world’s largest audiobook publisher, from KKR. The investors said the transaction will support RBmedia’s next phase of growth — with management remaining shareholders and employees receiving payouts tied to their ownership stakes.

RBmedia Acquires Potomac Talking Book Services

March 19, 2020

Media & Entertainment

RBmedia, a KKR-backed global spoken-audio company, acquired Potomac Talking Book Services (PTBS), an audiobook production organization specializing in services for the blind and people with reading disabilities. The acquisition expands RBmedia’s accessibility and audio-production capabilities by adding PTBS’s recording, editing and fulfillment expertise and its catalog of over 10,000 recorded titles.

OverDrive Acquires RBdigital Library Business from RBmedia

June 23, 2020

Media & Entertainment

OverDrive, the KKR-owned digital reading platform based in Cleveland, acquired the assets of RBmedia’s RBdigital library business across North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. The deal transfers RBdigital’s library platform to OverDrive to expand its catalog and features for libraries—bringing additional audiobooks and potential magazine content—while RBmedia retains its publishing businesses.

Lionbridge Acquires Rocket Sound

July 1, 2021

Media & Entertainment

Lionbridge has acquired Rocket Sound, a Los Angeles–based game and media audio studio, and integrated it into Lionbridge Games to establish in-house voiceover creation and expanded audio services. The acquisition will strengthen Lionbridge's global audio and localization capabilities, support Pacific Rim English localization, and provide Los Angeles casting, recording and post-production resources to Lionbridge's gaming customers.