Publishers have been working with television and movie studios to find video and audio content to create enhanced e-books and now NBC News has announced that it has formed NBC Publishing to use those assets to create their own digital books. NBC v-p Michael Fabiano has been appointed general manager of NBC Publishing and the company has hired two publishing veterans to lead its new efforts: Peter Costanzo, previously with F+W Media and Perseus Books Group, has been named creative director, and Brian Perrin, most recently with Rodale, has been named director of digital development.
In an e-mail to PW, Fabiano said NBC Publishing will release its first original e-book, in both text and enhanced editions, in February and plans to do about 30 titles in its first year. In addition to using the various NBC News units (Today, NBC Nightly News, Dateline, Peacock Productions, and NBCs archives), NBC Publishing will have the ability to create works derived from other divisions of NBCUniversal, such as NBC Sports, Universal Pictures, and Telemundo. E-books will be based on current events, documentaries, trends, biographies, and profiles.
According to Fabiano, the source for the text will vary from project to project. “In general, text will come from titles already published, direct relationships with authors, and in some cases from the staff of NBC News,” Fabiano said. “We will also utilize a network of freelance professionals as needed.” Additionally, this new division will continue to work in partnership with traditional trade publishers building with Fabiano noted that earlier this month NBC released its Today show 60th anniversary app in collaboration with Running Press.
Fabiano said while NBC has the capability to distribute the e-books on its own, it is also currently exploring a number of other options. The digital titles could also make their way to print. “We are open to releasing books in print form if it makes sense to do so,” he said. “We have an incredible marketing platform to launch a product that consists of a combined print book, eBook version and enhanced eBook.
