New twist at 98.5 FM: the most listened to radio station in Montreal has terminated the contract of its popular columnist Pierre-Yves McSween, who was to co-host the comeback show with Philippe Cantin starting in mid-August. According to our information, strong tensions preceded this sudden departure, which Cogeco, the station’s owner, strongly denies.
“There are big changes coming to 98.5. There is excitement in the air. People are tense, they are anxious. There are differences of opinion, like in 99.9% of companies, and that’s normal. But to suggest that there are score-settling, that’s something we completely deny,” said Christine Dicaire, Senior Director of Communications for Cogeco Media.
The duty had learned earlier that the relations between Pierre-Yves McSween and Patrick Lagacé, the new morningman station, were far from being at their best. “There had been a lot of tension for years between Pierre-Yves and Patrick,” said Dave-Éric Ouellet, aka MC Gilles, in an interview. He worked on Patrick Lagacé’s comeback show with Pierre-Yves McSween until last spring. Let’s recall that MC Gilles was abruptly fired from the station last April, himself citing tensions with Patrick Lagacé.
Other sources who gravitate around 98.5 FM have also reported that relations were particularly difficult between Pierre-Yves McSween and Patrick Lagacé. Contacted by The dutythe latter did not wish to comment.
As for the reasons for Pierre-Yves McSween’s departure, Cogeco is sticking to a laconic press release sent Tuesday morning in which the company indicates that it is ending its association with the economic columnist: information that was first relayed by the daily newspaper The sun last week.
“Following a review of the strategic orientations of content and organization of the work of the program Quebec now98.5 has decided to end its professional relationship with Pierre-Yves McSween,” we can read in this press release, which specifies that an amicable agreement was reached between Cogeco and Mr. McSween.
Amazing start
Pierre-Yves McSween, who was completely unknown just ten years ago, was propelled to stardom by 98.5 FM. Author of best-selling books Do you really need it? And The love billhe has become one of the biggest booksellers in Quebec. For nine years, this accountant by training provided the economic column every morning on Paul Arcand’s show, which he hung up last June. Pierre-Yves McSween also participated in the show du retour hosted by Patrick Lagacé as a columnist.
It had already been announced this spring that Pierre-Yves McSween would no longer be part of the morning show at the start of the school year, while Patrick Lagacé will succeed Paul Arcand as host. Pierre-Yves McSween was, however, supposed to play an important role in Philippe Cantin’s new homecoming show in the fall. But now, just a few weeks before the start of the school year, it has been announced that he will ultimately not be part of it.
“It’s a very surprising departure, because Pierre-Yves is one of the main headliners of 98.5. As it also took a lot of people by surprise internally when we were told that Philippe Cantin would be the new host of the return,” said MC Gilles.
Pierre-Yves McSween did not wish to answer our questions. On his Facebook page, he wished his colleagues at 98.5 FM “a good start to the school year and the best of success.” “Over the next few months, my priority will therefore be to focus on my other projects and develop new ones,” he also said in a brief post on Tuesday.
98.5 FM, which has been at the top of the ratings for several years, has big stakes next fall. With the departure of its star host, Paul Arcand, the station has changed its entire programming, which is causing a lot of upheaval.