Rossel enters exclusive talks to acquire Sud Ouest

The Belgian media group Rossel has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire the French regional newspaper group Sud Ouest by the end of the year. The deal is estimated to be worth approximately 100 million euros.

If completed, the acquisition would create a major player in the French regional press market, with a combined turnover exceeding 400 million euros. This would position the new entity as the third-largest group in the sector, trailing only SIPA-Ouest-France and EBRA.

Local journalist unions, specifically the SNJ, expressed that the news was not unexpected following months of rumors involving other potential buyers. While the union views Rossel as a professional industry player, they have called for a freeze on job cuts and a commitment to reinvesting in journalistic staff, noting that Sud Ouest has undergone significant restructuring and staff reductions in recent years.