From Commuter Staple to Digital News Powerhouse
20 Minutes started in Paris on March 15, 2002. It was made for people using the metro who wanted quick news. The idea was simple: give all the important news in just 20 minutes. Now, 20 Minutes is not just a paper. It is a big digital news brand. Millions of people read it every month in cities like Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and more.
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Publisher & Audience Reach
20 Minutes is owned by Groupe Rossel and Ouest-France Group. It is the most-read free news outlet in France. Only Le Figaro has more online readers. In 2020, about 22.8 million people visited its site every month. Most people (77%) read 20 Minutes on their smartphones. It is very popular in Paris and the Île-de-France region. The site also has special editions for cities like Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Lille.
Print-to-Digital Transformation: A Post-COVID Pivot
Before, 20 Minutes had 12 print editions for different cities. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people wanted paper news. So, by March 2022, only two paper editions were left. On July 5, 2024, they stopped printing completely. Now, 20 Minutes is only digital. This fits with new habits and helps the environment.
Editorial Mission: Quick, Clear, and Credible
The name “20 Minutes” means more than just time. It shows how they do their work. Their goal is to give news that is short, clear, and based on facts. They do not add opinions. They let people decide what they think.
- No opinions
- Only real news
- Made for busy city people and workers
Because of this, many people trust them. Younger people who use their phones a lot also like this style.
Backed by Research: Oxford Study Validation
A study by Oxford University in 2020 showed that 20 Minutes is changing. The study said 20 Minutes is not just a free paper anymore. It is moving towards quality digital news, even with some paid content.
The study also said that:
- Print is going down, but digital is growing
- 20 Minutes is using good SEO and mobile design
- It is becoming more respected online
This research shows that 20 Minutes is a strong and trusted news source during this digital change.
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Leadership Crisis in 2025: CEO Vote of No Confidence
In early July 2025, workers at 20 Minutes voted that they no longer trusted their CEO, Ronan Dubois. They did not like how he was leading the company or handling The news. This shows That the company is facing some problems as it tries to Grow online. Many French media companies are also trying to figure out how to make money And keep readers in the Digital world.
Conclusion
A New Era For French News
20 Minutes Started as a free paper for metro riders. Now, It is one of the top digital news sources in France. By staying clear, quick, and easy to read, And focusing on Mobile readers in many cities, 20 Minutes has become an important part of French media Today.