Distribution of print media to subscribers can be carried out by La Poste or by portage networks. This activity must be able to rely on open porting networks that fully and loyally participate in a regulated activity of general interest. Portage networks are therefore invited to sign an agreement with the State. The Ministry of Culture may, under certain conditions, grant them temporary financial assistance, subject to its authorization by the European Commission.
Presentation of the device
What is a port network?
One porting network is a legal person under private law whose activity consists in organizing, on behalf of one or more press publishers, the activity of carrying publications to the buyer’s home. Thus, publications are sent to the buyer’s home not by post, but by independent sellers-peddlers or press holders employed by the networks.
Like La Poste, the portage networks participate in the general interest mission of distributing the press.
Setting up of the system (signing of agreements and temporary aid to networks subject to its authorisation by the European Commission)
The performance of this mission of general interest by the portage networks justifies regulating their activities by signing agreements.
The State and professional organizations have agreed on the means to be put in place to ensure this regulation of portage activity. The networks are therefore invited to sign a convention with the State in order to ensure that they are open to all publications that request it, without discrimination.
Only copies carried by a network which has signed such an agreement may be eligible for copy aid for press titles worn.
In addition, signatory networks may also apply for temporary assistance to portage networks, implemented for the years 2023 and 2024 alone and only if this device has been authorised by the European Commission.
Would you like to know more about the various press aids? Go here:
Am I concerned by this approach?
- Private companies
All port networks are invited to sign an agreement with the State.
Networks wishing to benefit from temporary network support (subject to its authorisation by the European Commission) must be signatories to such a convention.
Networks which have not entered into an agreement with the State are not eligible for temporary support for portage networks.
Proceeding
Temporary support for portage networks is allocated €2.4 million, for about 15 beneficiaries.
Agreements can be signed throughout the year for a period of 3 years. Several deadlines must be respected:
- Within one month of signing the agreement and then on the anniversary date of signing : Portage networks must transmit their tariff schedules, their activity forecasts, a forecast of their workforce by job category and by full-time equivalent and a description of their distribution area.
- By April 30 of each year: the networks must transmit detailed data on the number of copies worn and the invoicing relating to each publication, the detailed financial accounts and the balance sheets for the year N-1 accompanied by all the elements of cost accounting necessary for the economic evaluation of the services rendered.
Temporary assistance to the portage networks is paid in one instalment, annually, for the years 2023 and 2024 alone. Payment is subject to authorisation by the European Commission.
Applications submitted in connection with the application for temporary assistance to the portage networks will be examined in accordance with the procedures laid down in the decree establishing it, subject to its authorization by the European Commission. In the event of failure to sign or to respect the agreements, the benefit of the temporary aid will be refused.
- File Open: April 3, 2023
- Deadline for submission: 31 May 2023, 23:59 (Paris time). No file may be filed or considered after this date.
- Announcement of the results: The proper instruction of the temporary help to the portability networks is conditioned by its authorization by the European Commission.
- To access the online form, click on the "Access form" button at the bottom of the page.
- Log in or create an account, then let yourself be guided.
A question?
If you have any questions about the agreement between the port networks and the State, as well as temporary assistance to the port networks, please contact:
Media and Cultural Industries Branch (CMIB)
Office for the Economic Regime of the Press
portage.presse@culture.gouv.fr
01 40 15 86 20
182 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris