13/03/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 13 March, the European Commission approved a French State aid scheme worth €107.5 million to support printed press distribution. The scheme aims to finance up to 40% of the distribution costs of national general-interest and political dailies and weeklies, as well as sports periodicals, through a network of distributors, wholesalers and retailers. The objective is to encourage publishers to pool their logistical resources, reduce costs and ensure balanced coverage of the country. The aid will be paid in the form of direct grants to publishers using a single-copy distribution network. The scheme will run until 31 December 2030. The Commission assessed the plan in the light of the European rules on State aid, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the TFEU, and deemed it necessary, appropriate and proportionate, with a limited impact on competition and intra-Community trade. (LC)