Sony picks iBooks for exclusive Breaking Bad interactive ebook

Sony have become probably the biggest company to self-publish, with an ebook of the cult TV series Breaking Bad appearing exclusively on iBooks.

Despite having its own ebook platform and being one of the first companies to launch an e-reader, Sony has opted to rely solely on iBooks.

It might seem a bizarre and self-defeating move to ignore its own platform and the runaway market leader Amazon but it’s logical when you consider the ebook, which seems to have been produced using Apple’s iAuthor, has over 350 interactive elements which could only be provided with any reliability on iBooks. Sony appears to have produced the whole ebook in-house without teaming up with an outside publisher.

The final series of Breaking Bad is being screened in the US and Breaking Bad: Alchemy, the official digital book about the series, features 120 pages of original content, the interactive elements and behind-the-scenes stories covering every season. The ebook  is available for a limited-time price of $7.99 and is a massive download of nearly 1.5Gb. It’s already top of the best-selling list for paid books in the arts and entertainment sector.

Chris Van Amburg, Senior Vice President, Marketing for Sony Pictures Television says: “Breaking Bad: Alchemy is a comprehensive anthology that will allow viewers to experience and interact with the show in unprecedented ways. We wanted to deliver to fans a unique and dynamic experience and unparalleled access into the production of the series that they will enjoy long beyond the final season.”

As the series unfolds after the August 11 premiere, the book will be updated with more scenes and moments, ultimately capturing the full legacy of Breaking Bad.

“I’m excited to shine a spotlight on the incredible people and behind-the-scenes activities that went into creating all five seasons of Breaking Bad,” says programme creator and executive producer Vince Gilligan. “This book is a huge bonus for fans as we go into the final season.”