The Belgian media group Rossel, which owns the newspaper La Voix du Nord, has begun "exclusive negotiations" to buy the parent company of the regional daily Sud Ouest. This potential acquisition could reshape the media landscape in both Belgium and southwestern France, where Sud Ouest is based. The development was announced on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in the evening. Rossel is one of the largest media groups in Belgium, with a long history in print and digital journalism. It has been expanding its reach across different regions and is now looking to strengthen its presence in France through this potential deal. Sud Ouest is a well-known regional newspaper that serves the Aquitaine region, covering news from cities like Bordeaux and Toulouse. If the acquisition goes through, it would mark a significant step in Rossel's strategy to consolidate its position in European media. The negotiations are currently exclusive, meaning that other potential buyers are not being considered at this stage. The final agreement is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, though no official terms or details of the deal have been disclosed yet. This move comes amid ongoing changes in the media industry, where traditional newspapers are adapting to new digital platforms and competition from online news sources. The acquisition could lead to changes in how Sud Ouest is managed and how its content is delivered to readers, both in print and online.