AudioGO's BBC titles signed by Random House

Random House Audio has signed an agreement with BBC Worldwide to sell and distribute the company’s audiobooks, which were previously available through the now-defunct AudioGO.

The catalogue includes popular radio dramatisations such as Doctor Who, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, as well as radio comedy including I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Just a Minute. All releases will be available from Random House Audio from Monday (23rd December).

Random House Audio will have sole responsibility for sales, stock management and distribution of BBC-branded physical CDs in the UK and the rest of the world excluding North America, Australia and New Zealand.  

It also said in a statement that it would “take global responsibility for download sales with leading digital retailers, including Audible”.

The catalogue includes 3,500 titles, and the partnership will see Random House Audio and BBC Worldwide developing and co-publishing new releases.

Nicholas Brett, director of publishing, BBC Worldwide UK said: “Our principal aim has been to ensure an uninterrupted flow of the BBC’s brilliant spoken word content both on high streets around the world and through downloads, and we’re delighted that this new partnership with Random House Audio will do that.”

Hannah Telfer, Random House director, digital marketing and new product development, said: “At Random House we have long admired the BBC’s audio programme, sharing their passion for publishing the highest quality content.

“We’re very pleased to be working together to grow the BBC list and are committed to reaching the largest possible audience for their titles.”

Audiobook publisher and retailer AudioGO, which used to distribute the BBC’s content as well as other audiobooks, went into administration in October, and last month the master recordings of 5,000 of its non-BBC titles were bought by Amazon-owned Audible.

Publishers have described the BBC titles as "the real gold" of the AudioGO list.