• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, March 29, 2017

Digital publishing platform Readly is looking to expand its footprint in the U.S. through a new merchandising deal with AT&T, giving complimentary access to digital magazines to customers who subscribe to AT&T Wireless. The exclusive partnership centers on a custom version of Readly’s digital reading app, called Readly Select, which it created specifically for AT&T.

Readly is giving AT&T Wireless subscribers access to up to four digital magazines from Readly’s library of over 2,000 titles, including their back issues, for each monthly period as part of AT&T Thanks, a customer appreciation and loyalty program that offers complimentary entertainment and services. Every time a customer reads a magazine, the publisher is automatically compensated by AT&T and Readly.

Users can access the magazines on up to five devices on their AT&T Wireless account, and may choose new titles at the beginning of each month.

In the coming months, the partners plan to extend the program to also include AT&T Uverse and Direct TV subscribers. Customers who like the service can pay to upgrade to Readly’s premium subscription, offering unlimited access to all titles.

The U.S. price is $9.99 for the first two months and $9.99 for every month thereafter. Customers can cancel the service at any time.

Readly’s library includes digital versions of big titles, such as Forbes, Popular Science, Rolling Stone, Motor Trend, Newsweek, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Week, Prevention, Fast Company, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Field & Stream.

Sometimes described as “Netflix for magazines,” Readly has been working steadily to raise its profile and expand the reach of its subscription service in the U.S. Founded in Sweden in 2012, the company claims it is the largest digital magazine platform in that country, as well as the UK and Germany.

Earlier this month, Readly introduced a new enhanced viewing feature for mobile. It enlarges the text size, putting all content in one column, so articles are easier to read on small devices. A yellow icon in the magazine menu notes the publications that carry the feature, which customizes font size and spacing.