Storytel Group Acquires Overamstel Publishers to Expand Benelux Presence

Storytel Group has finalized the 100 percent acquisition of Overamstel Publishers, an independent publishing house based in Amsterdam and Antwerp. The deal reinforces Storytel’s strategic focus on the Benelux market, a key region for the company’s growth in both digital and traditional publishing formats.

Founded in 2007, Overamstel manages a broad portfolio of imprints including Carrera Culinair, Hollands Diep, Horizon, Inside, Lebowski, Moon, The House of Books, and Rainbow. These imprints cover a wide range of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, cookbooks, and sports autobiographies. Overamstel’s catalogue features notable authors like Annejet van der Zijl, Carry Slee, Agatha Christie, and Barack Obama, with a strong presence across print, audiobook, and e-book formats.

In 2025, Overamstel reported revenues of €17.4 million and an adjusted EBITDA of €1.3 million. Approximately 75 percent of its revenue came from physical book sales, underscoring the publisher’s robust print portfolio, while digital sales accounted for the remaining 25 percent, reflecting growing demand for audiobooks and e-books.

Following the acquisition, Overamstel’s current CEO will remain in position. Storytel Group’s Chief Content & Publishing Officer will join Overamstel’s board as Chair, alongside the Group’s CFO and the Country Manager for the Netherlands, who will also take board seats. This governance structure aims to facilitate integration while preserving Overamstel’s independent identity within the Storytel portfolio.

Storytel Group, headquartered in Stockholm, operates through two main divisions: Streaming and Publishing. Its streaming service offers over 1.8 million audiobook and e-book titles in 55 languages, serving more than 2.7 million subscribers globally. The Publishing division includes established houses such as Norstedts Publishing Group, Gummerus, People’s, and Storyside, as well as majority stakes in Lind & Co and Bokfabriken.

The acquisition aligns with Storytel’s strategy to combine traditional publishing expertise with digital distribution capabilities. By integrating Overamstel’s rich catalogue and local market knowledge with Storytel’s extensive subscriber base and technology platform, the Group aims to expand audiobook and e-book offerings in the Benelux region and beyond.

Industry trends show increasing consumer preference for digital formats, particularly audiobooks, which Storytel leverages through its streaming platform. The deal also reflects ongoing consolidation in the publishing sector, as companies seek scale and diversified content portfolios to compete effectively.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. However, the transaction is expected to generate synergies through cross-selling opportunities, streamlined operations, and enhanced data-driven marketing. Storytel plans to maintain Overamstel’s brand autonomy while fostering collaboration across its publishing houses.

Looking ahead, Storytel Group intends to integrate Overamstel’s expertise with its digital-first approach, aiming to develop new content formats and expand distribution channels. The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close imminently.

Storytel’s CEO commented, “By uniting Overamstel’s rich publishing heritage with Storytel’s digital reach, we are building a vibrant home for creativity that will bring more stories to readers and listeners across the Benelux region and beyond.”