The free newspaper “20 Minutes” will end its paper edition

This daily, created in 2002, is the last free paper newspaper distributed in France. He has faced financial difficulties in recent years.

A page turns. 20 minutes, the last free newspaper distributed in France, will stop its paper format in September to concentrate on digital, its management announced to AFP on Thursday May 16, confirming information from the media La Lettre. The latter also announces a social plan which aims to eliminate a third of positions within the company, which management has not commented on.

Founded in 2002, 20 minutes is the last free paper newspaper distributed in France, after the cessation of Metronews in 2015 then the paper edition of CNews in 2021.

The newspaper has been facing financial difficulties for several years, despite several reorganizations. Its paper format, printed in 440,000 copies according to the ACPM (Alliance for Press and Media Figures), has reduced its presence on French territory in recent years. It is now only distributed in eight cities: Paris, Lille, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Montpellier. It appears three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and is distributed in train or metro stations.

According to management, the end of the paper format is part of a reorganization project which aims to concentrate on digital, in the face of the decline of the paper press. This project includes the transfer of the digital advertising agency of 20 minutes around 366, management of the entire regional daily press. This transfer includes certain job cuts planned by the project.