Bertelsmann reported results for the first half of 2026, with sales at Penguin Random House of €2.376 billion, up €53 million (or 2.3 percent), helped by the integration of Wonderbly, acquired in June 2025. Operating EBITDA adjusted fell modestly again, down to €251 million, €4 million lower than a year ago, “due to higher costs and negative exchange rate effects.” Penguin Random House US “recorded a slight increase in revenue” as “the audiobook publishing business also made positive contributions,” at €1.381 billion, compared to €1.376 billion a year ago. In dollars, the performance looks better, translating to $1.611 billion this […]
Google Launches Licensed Version of Applying AI to Individual eBooks
On Thursday Google launched a licensed platform called Expert Intelligence that makes participating books available for interrogation by an AI chatbot through the search giant’s Gemini Notebook. Based on the idea that “readers return to their favorite books repeatedly, and continue to apply the author’s lessons to their own life,” the feature “makes it simple for you to ask questions about the book and receive responses grounded directly in that book. You can also use Gemini Notebook to help you understand books in new ways, for example, by generating Infographics, Audio Overviews, Quizzes, or more from the book.” Users can […]
Attorneys In Anthropic Settlement File Appeal Over Fee-Sharing
Just before the August 19 deadline for any appeals of the final settlement in the Anthropic copyright infringement case, Edelson and Oppenheim + Zebrak, the two firms brought in by publishers as “Publishers’ Coordination Counsel,” filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit’s Court of Appeals. The firms say they “intend to focus their appeal on issues related to the Order Granting in Part Motion for Attorneys’ Fees, Reimbursement of Expenses,” but the notice is phrased as an appeal of “the Judgment entered on July 20, 2026, including all prior orders encompassed in that decision.” That leaves opaque for […]
Coral Graphics Has to Vacate Long Island Plant, Will Eliminate 85 Jobs
The 55,000-square-foot facility on Long Island that has housed a plant for printer Coral Graphic Services has been sold and the company — part of Bertelsmann Printing Group — needs to vacate and shut down operations. According to a WARN notice filed with New York State, 85 jobs will be eliminated between now and the closing of the plant on October 29. That location has served as their main office as well. Coral Graphics specializes in book components, including as covers, inserts, and jackets.
Harper Reports Strong Fourth Quarter, Record Full-Year Sales
News Corp announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2026, with fourth quarter publishing sales at $566 million, up $72 million (or 14.6 percent) from a year ago, “driven by higher physical and digital book sales, which included strength in general books, the UK and children’s publishing.” Digital sales were up 12 percent in the period, with audiobook sales growing 16 percent, “driven by strong growth at both Spotify and Audible.” EBITDA of $57 million was up $7 million from a year ago, with foreign exchange contributing $3 million. Costs rose in line with sales, with the […]
S&S CEO Greeley: “The challenge ahead of us and the opportunities ahead of us are really independent of who owns us”
Simon & Schuster ceo Greg Greeley spoke to David Steinberger on the Open Book podcast, discussing his first 100 days on the job and more. “At this stage of my career, I really wasn’t looking for a job. What I was looking for was a mission,” Greeley said. “Books…remain one of humanity’s most enduring and important technologies. We preserve ideas across generations. We inspire people. We help understand one another. Books challenge us. And the opportunity to help steward an institution that has served authors and readers for more than a century was really just too compelling to pass up. And frankly, for a […]