Xavier Niel, a prominent French billionaire best known for his telecommunications company Iliad and its popular brand Free, is reportedly expanding his media influence by acquiring the magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs. This publication, which focuses on consumer advice and product comparisons, has struggled financially in recent years. Niel’s holding company, NJJ Médias, has reportedly submitted a bid to purchase the magazine, which is currently under the ownership of the Institut national de la consommation (INC), a public institution that has incurred nearly 7.9 million euros in losses from 2018 to 2023. The French government plans to dissolve the INC, which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control). As part of this restructuring, the magazine will be sold. According to media reports, the government is leaning toward approving Xavier Niel’s bid, citing his company’s digital expertise and the potential for synergies with other publications under NJJ Médias, such as Nice Matin. Additionally, Niel’s existing ties with the influential newspaper Le Monde may have played a role in the government’s decision. The proposed acquisition includes a plan to revitalize the magazine, which currently has around 60,000 subscribers. This number is significantly lower than that of its main competitor, Que Choisir, which has a much larger readership. If the acquisition goes through, the magazine could see a renewed focus on modernizing its content and expanding its digital presence to regain its former prominence in the consumer advice market. This move reflects Xavier Niel’s growing interest in media and his strategy to diversify his business empire beyond telecommunications. With his track record of successfully scaling businesses through innovation and digital transformation, many are watching closely to see how this acquisition will reshape the landscape of consumer journalism in France.