France: leading daily to invest in online and diversify publications

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on December 4, 2006 at 12:27 PM

20 Minutes, a most successful freesheet launched in France in 2002, is planning on further investments in its online ventures, as well as the publication of a free weekly business title.

20 Minutes counts eight editions and distributes 870 000 copies in France alone – two thirds in Paris – and roughly 3 million daily copies across Europe. With almost 2 million readers every day, it officially leads the newspaper industry in France. President of France’s 20 Minutes, Pierre-Jean Bozo, declared the newspaper would hire 30 new staffers and increase funding for new media, including online, cell phones and video.

Mother company Schibsted also reaffirmed its emphasis on developing free papers, online titles and online advertising. Nowadays, over 50% of Schibsted’s revenues come from online activities (compare to 15% in 1995).

Source: Le Monde – Periodistas 21

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