The Queen of Reading is endorsing Amazon's ebook reader, which can only be good for sales

October 24, 2008 — guardian.co.uk Technology Blog 
Posted by Jack Schofield

Today in Chicago, and on TV screens across the USA, Oprah Winfrey is going to recommend her new "favorite gadget," which is Amazon's Kindle ebook reader. A brief video has appeared on Amazon's website to plug the show -- as spotted by Chris Nuttall at the Financial Times -- which will also feature a guest appearance by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. (Not his first, by the way.)

Oprah has had a powerful effect on US book sales. According to Time:

It's not true that Oprah Winfrey's book club was the most important development in the history of literacy. For instance, there was the invention of the written word. Then there was movable type. So Oprah comes in third.

The article adds that: "Oprah's endorsement of any title meant a minimum of 500,000 additional sales, says Jim Milliot, the business editor at Publishers Weekly."

I don't expect Oprah's endorsement will sell half a million Kindles, or not immediately. But over the long term, it could be a huge boost for Amazon's ebook business.

Update: The Oprah Winfrey Show site now has a slideshow, Oprah's Favorite New Gadget. It says:

As a special offer for Oprah Show viewers, Amazon.com is giving $50 off the price of Kindle. Enter the promotional code OPRAHWINFREY during the checkout process at Amazon.com to receive the discount. This offer is valid through November 1, 2008.