The Figaro Group: A Year of Diversification, Digitalization, and Record Audience Growth
Diversification and Digitalization Fueling Growth
The Figaro Group, encompassing the esteemed newspaper Le Figaro, a wide range of magazines, and digital platforms, experienced a successful year in 2024. The group’s strategy of diversification and digitalization has borne fruit, according to Marc Feuillée, Figaro’s CEO. The launch of Le Figaro TV, the integration of the weekly magazine Gala, and the expansion of regional news desks have all contributed to the group’s growth.
Strong Financial Performance
The group’s revenue reached €579 million in 2024, a 4.3% increase compared to 2023. Operating profit soared by 30% to €27 million, with all activities posting a profit except for the recently launched Le Figaro TV. Excluding Le Figaro TV, the group’s operating profit amounted to €32 million.
Record Audience for Le Figaro
Driven by significant political and sporting events, Le Figaro achieved "exceptional" audience figures throughout the year. The website, lefigaro.fr, recorded over 210 million monthly visits, the highest in its history. It ranked as the leading news website in France on the Médiamétrie rankings for seven out of twelve months. Over 3.4 million unique users accessed the site and app each day, another record for Le Figaro.
Growth in Digital Subscriptions
The increased audience engagement translated into a surge in digital subscriptions. Le Figaro now boasts 295,000 digital subscribers, an 8% increase year-over-year. Over 400,000 readers subscribe to Le Figaro across its print and digital formats, marking the group’s second-best year after 2020 in terms of subscriber growth. Digital revenue now accounts for half of Le Figaro’s income. The group’s "web first" strategy, prioritizing the timely distribution of both free and paid content throughout the day, is expected to further increase subscriber acquisition.
Stability in Print
Despite challenges in print advertising, Le Figaro remains profitable thanks to its strong magazine titles such as Le Figaro Magazine and Madame Figaro. Anticipating the potential impact on print, the group has implemented a voluntary departure plan for non-editorial positions.
Social Media and Video Content
Advertising revenue from social media platforms witnessed a significant 20% increase across the Figaro Group. Gala’s success on these platforms, with 1.1 million Instagram followers and 15 million TikTok followers, has helped boost the group’s total followers to 38 million. Strengthening video content formats has become a priority, as advertisers increasingly invest in this medium. The group plans to accelerate its presence on YouTube, where it will broadcast Le Figaro TV’s live content.
Le Figaro TV Expands Reach
Launched in September 2023 on TNT Île-de-France and telecom operator boxes, Le Figaro TV has attracted 2 million monthly viewers. The average daily audience has grown from 57,000 at the end of 2023 to 215,000 at the end of 2024.
The average viewing time per individual has reached 40 minutes, indicating strong program engagement. New shows are in the pipeline, including a televised version of Frédéric Beigbeder’s "Conversations chez Lapérouse." In March, Le Figaro TV will debut its first documentaries produced by the group.
Beyond the TNT and telecom box channels, Le Figaro TV is now available on Molotov, myCanal, and TF1+. The group aims to expand its distribution further. The TNT local signal currently accounts for 45% of viewership, compared to 70% in 2024. Nonetheless, it remains double the average TV viewership.
Diversified Portfolio
Outside of the news division and Gala, CCM Benchmark delivered a strong performance with a 7% revenue growth and profitability above 20%. L’Internaute and Le Journal des femmes led the charge, with increased audience engagement and leadership in their respective categories.
The group’s travel business surpassed its 2019 levels, generating revenue of €125 million in 2024. The company’s agencies achieved their best operational results in history. Ticketack, the ticketing platform, also experienced a surge in demand, buoyed by the recovery of the live entertainment industry. The company expects to surpass 1 million tickets sold in 2025.
