The Bichet Act provides for the creation of a “balanced cost distribution” mechanism by Arcep. It consists of distributing the specific, unavoidable costs induced by the distribution of daily newspapers, between all of the print media companies that employ pooled distribution services for the newspapers and periodicals they publish, with a view to their retail sale.
The calculation rules for the balanced cost distribution mechanism between print media companies was adopted in November 2021 through an Arcep Decision1 that follows through on the modelling work that began in 2020, and on stakeholders’ contribution to the two public consultations the Authority held on this topic2.
The equalisation amount for 2025 stands at €7,711,987.23
In the Decision being published today, Arcep sets the equalisation amount for the period running from January to December 2025. It stands at €7,711,987.23. The Decision also details the adjustment amounts charged to publishers during this period3 by approved press distribution companies, through requests for supplementary payments4.
The equalisation amount had been decreasing steadily since 2021, but it increased in 2025 as the decrease in the number of daily newspapers shipped was greater than the decrease in their transportation costs.
The monthly instalment rate for November 2026 to October 2027 is set at 0.75% of cover price sales
In its Decision, Arcep sets the provisional monthly instalment rate for November 2026 to October 2027 at 0.75% of cover price sales for the previous month, for the press titles distributed in Metropolitan France and the French overseas territories on behalf of print media companies that use pooled distribution for the newspapers and periodicals they publish, with a view to their retail sale.
Associated document:
1Decision No. 2021-2531 of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications, Postal Affairs and Print Media Distribution of 25 November 2021 establishing the calculation rules for the balanced cost distribution mechanism between print media companies, pursuant to Par. 3 of Article 18 of Act No. 47-585 amended (aka the “Bichet Act”)
3 Appendix 2 of Arcep Decision No. 2021‑2531 stipulates that “the thus calculated amounts will then be charged to the publishers by the distributors through reimbursements or requests for supplementary payments”.
4The adjusted amounts are calculated for each publisher as “the difference between the provisional instalments paid for the year (N-1) and the equalisation amounts that are actually due for that year (N-1)” in accordance with Arcep Decision No. 2021‑2531.