Quebec Radio Lineup Shifts: A Comprehensive look at 2025 Programming
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Quebec’s radio landscape is bracing for a dynamic fall season, marked by strategic personnel moves and program overhauls across several key stations.Announced August 16, 2025, these changes aim to capture audience share and solidify competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving media market. The shifts impact morning shows, weekend programming, and even the format of one station, promising a fresh listening experiance for Quebecers.
New Faces in Morning Radio
Patrick Masbourian’s morning show will welcome back familiar collaborators Pierre-Yves McSween and Chantal Hébert. A notable addition is Claudia Hébert, who will serve as the show’s cultural columnist, succeeding Eugénie Lépine-Blondeau. Lépine-Blondeau will now host General Admission, a new cultural program on première, launching August 23ómico.
On 98.5 FM, Patrick Lagacé’s morning show will feature Valérie Lebœuf as a new team member. Sports coverage will be led by Jean-Michel Bourque, formerly of TVA, while Jonathan Trudeau’s absence will be temporarily filled by Louis Lacroix in the 7 a.m. political segment.
Weekend Programming Revamp
Significant changes are coming to weekend programming. Monic Néron will take the helm of Mimosa!, a new Saturday morning show on Première, replacing Franco Nuovo. Nuovo will continue hosting his program on Sunday mornings, which consistently draws a large audience. 98.5 FM hopes these adjustments will boost its weekend ratings, which lagged last season when Dave Morissette and Élisabeth Crête co-hosted the early weekend slot. Morissette will not return,and Crête’s future with the station remains uncertain. The full weekend team composition will be revealed August 30.
Did You Know? Radio listenership in Quebec remains remarkably high, with over 80% of the population tuning in weekly, according to a 2024 study by Statistique Canada.
99.5 FM’s Second Yearómico
99.5 FM is refining its spoken-word format for its second year. Sophie durocher’s afternoon show has been discontinued. mario Dumont and Benoît Dutrizac will both gain 30 minutes of airtime in the morning and midday, respectively. Isabelle Maréchal will host a new afternoon program from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The new schedule debuts August 25.
99.5 FM, owned by Leclerc Dialog, broadcasts QUB programming, a digital radio service from Quebecor. This arrangement is currently under scrutiny, with Bell and Cogeco filing a complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), alleging violations of existing regulations. A decision from the CRTC is expected soon.
The Battle for Musical Supremacy
Rhythm FM, which recently refreshed its brand, maintained its position as the leading musical radio station in Greater Montreal last season. The station will unveil its fall schedule on Monday. Its primary competitor has announced minimal changes to its programming. Vero and the Fantastic will continue to anchor the drive-home slot, with Véronique Cloutier joined by newcomers José Gaudet, a former Rhythm FM personality, and Nicolas Pham, previously a journalist at Rad, Ckoi, and Énergie. These stations, along with Ckoi and Énergie, will largely maintain their existing formats.
Pro Tip: Staying informed about radio programming changes can help advertisers optimize their media buys and reach target audiences more effectively.
Additional Programming Updates
The Day (Is Still Young) will return September 1, two weeks after the launch of Première’s weekday programming. jean-Sébastien Girard will continue to host the show, while Jean-Philippe Wauthier’s professional break will also continue. Girard will also expand his weekend program, renamed The Beautiful Sunday of Jeannot, to include an extra hour and a live, festive format. Isabelle Craig will launch The Crazy Adventure on September 7 at 3 p.m., described as a showcase of inspiring human stories.
| Station | Program | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Première | Morning Show | Claudia Hébert joins as cultural columnist |
| 98.5 FM | Morning Show | valérie Lebœuf and Jean-Michel Bourque join |
| Première | Saturday Morning | Monic Néron hosts
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