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 print media companies that belong to press grouping cooperatives using the services of approved press distribution companies.
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 2021 stands at €9,281,815.01
In the Decision being published today, Arcep sets the equalisation amount for the period running from January to December 2021. It stands at €9,281,815.01. The Decision also details the adjustment amounts for publishers during this period.
The monthly instalment rate for November 2022 to October 2023 is set at 0.82% of cover price sales
Starting in November 2022 and up to October 2023, grouped press distribution companies will be required to pay a monthly instalment equal to 0.82% of their cover price sales for the previous month, for the press titles that they distribute in Metropolitan and the French overseas territories on behalf of print media companies that belong to a press grouping cooperative.
Associated document:
Notes:
[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”)