The Bichet Act provides for the creation by Arcep of a “balanced cost distribution” mechanism which consists of distributing the specific, unavoidable costs induced by the distribution of daily newspapers, between all of the print media companies that employ pool 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 Decision[1] 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 topic[2].
The equalisation amount for 2023 stands at €7,134,247.24
In the Decision being published today, Arcep sets the equalisation amount for the period running from January to December 2023. It stands at €7,134,247.24. The Decision also details the adjustment amounts for publishers during this period[3].
The monthly instalment rate for November 2024 to October 2025 is set at 0.63% of cover price sales
In its Decision, Arcep sets the provisional monthly instalment rate for November 2024 to October 2025 at 0.63% 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 pool distribution for the newspapers and periodicals they publish, with a view to their retail sale.
Associated document:
[1] Decision 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] The 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.