Audioteka's acquisition of Knjigapriča marks a significant development in the audiobook industry in Serbia.
- Audioteka acquires a majority stake in Knjigapriča.
- Knjigapriča has around 400 titles in Serbian and Croatian.
- The acquisition aims to expand original productions and marketing efforts.
Novi Sad-based audiobook platform Knjigapriča has gained a majority owner, after Audioteka, part of the Polish internet and media group Wirtualna Polska, acquired the stake. The companies did not disclose the value of the deal.
Knjigapriča has been operating since 2019 and says it has about 400 titles in Serbian and Croatian. Its catalog also includes original productions with local narrators. Founder Nenad Iđoški will remain the company’s director.
The platform was first presented in 2019 as an early-stage startup at the final event of the latest news program by Startit, where it was showcased alongside other emerging projects.
Buyer with a track record of regional deals
Wirtualna Polska paid almost 17 million euros for Audioteka in full, after starting the takeover in 2022 with a 60% purchase and completing it the following year.
In the same period, the group also bought Szallas Group, a Hungarian accommodation booking platform active in Romania, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Poland, for 82 million euros. It also invested more than 12 million zlotys for a 40% stake in Patronite, a Polish platform through which audiences support creators.
What the acquisition means for Knjigapriča
According to the company’s statement, the new capital will be used to secure rights for new titles, expand original production, support marketing and grow the local team. The next step is Croatia.
The statement said the current terms of cooperation with publishers and authors will stay the same. Iđoški said the partnership will help the company move faster in key areas, including catalog expansion, higher domestic production volume and broader reach to new listeners.
Audioteka was founded in 2008 and operates in Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Germany and Slovakia. Its Polish catalog includes nearly 40,000 titles.
Frequently asked questions
What is Knjigapriča?
Knjigapriča is an audiobook platform based in Novi Sad, offering titles in Serbian and Croatian.
Who acquired Knjigapriča?
Audioteka, part of the Polish media group Wirtualna Polska, acquired a majority stake in Knjigapriča.
What will the acquisition mean for Knjigapriča?
The acquisition will provide new capital for expanding the title catalog, original productions, and marketing efforts.
