Ringier shows interest in French newspaper Le Monde
The Swiss media group Ringier is interested in acquiring the French newspaper Le Monde. Le Monde, which is in financial trouble, is urgently seeking a buyer.
The dossier has been ordered and will be examined in the coming weeks, as publisher Michael Ringier said in Paris on the sidelines of a media orientation. Group spokesman Edi Estermann confirmed to SDA a corresponding report in the French newspaper Les Echos. According to Estermann, Ringier wants to consider what new forms of cooperation are possible.
There is already an interface between Ringier and Le Monde - Ringier has a 47 percent stake in the French-speaking Swiss newspaper Le Temps, Le Monde has a 2 percent stake. Because they already have a joint commitment, they naturally want to take a closer look at this partner, Estermann continued.
Alongside Le Figaro, the left-liberal Le Monde is considered France's most important opinion-forming newspaper. Economically, however, things are looking less rosy for the paper. Since 2002, the world newspaper has generated a deficit of over 200 million euros. In 2009 alone, circulation shrank by 4.3 percent to just under 290,000 copies. The majority of the traditional paper is held by the journalists themselves, the "Société des rédacteurs du Monde". So far, five investors have shown interest in joining the La Vie-Le Monde Group via a capital increase. The candidates must submit a firm offer by June 15.
There is already an interface between Ringier and Le Monde - Ringier has a 47 percent stake in the French-speaking Swiss newspaper Le Temps, Le Monde has a 2 percent stake. Because they already have a joint commitment, they naturally want to take a closer look at this partner, Estermann continued.
Alongside Le Figaro, the left-liberal Le Monde is considered France's most important opinion-forming newspaper. Economically, however, things are looking less rosy for the paper. Since 2002, the world newspaper has generated a deficit of over 200 million euros. In 2009 alone, circulation shrank by 4.3 percent to just under 290,000 copies. The majority of the traditional paper is held by the journalists themselves, the "Société des rédacteurs du Monde". So far, five investors have shown interest in joining the La Vie-Le Monde Group via a capital increase. The candidates must submit a firm offer by June 15.
