99.5 FM reshuffle | Hosts cash in, Qub tipped for the future

“It’s over. Like many of you, I learned yesterday [jeudi] that the WKND 99.5 FM adventure, as we know it, comes to an end,” wrote host Étienne Boulay on Instagram.

“I had the privilege of opening the station’s microphone in August 2020 and of accompanying you in your daily life for 4 years,” the ex-footballer continues in his missive. […] I think of my colleagues who are losing their jobs. Talented and hard-working people who have invested their heart and soul in the project. […] To my gang Detour : we shared unforgettable moments. You made me grow and even if I know that our friendship goes well beyond a radio show, I am sad at the thought that I will no longer see you every day.

The music station WKND 99.5 FM Montreal, owned by Leclerc Communication, announced on social media Thursday that it would be making “a major programming change” in the coming days.

“As of this fall, WKND 99.5 will no longer exist in its current form,” wrote the station’s management. “The musical offering will still be available in Montreal via web radio and the WKND application, and very soon on 99.5, in HD2 position. [format numérique en haute définition] “, however, the management specified in its publication before concluding that it was preparing “to live a new adventure”.

Maripier Morin, who has been co-hosting the morning show for a year We’ll start off the same way. with Patrick Langlois, Vincent Dessureault and Maxime Roberge, also reacted on social networks by publishing a short message: “Had so much fun with them [Patrick, Vincent et Maxime]. That’s what makes this news even sadder. Thank you for everything my love boys.”

His colleague Patrick Langlois also paid tribute to the artisans of 99.5 FM, but also to the listeners. “It was a privilege to have been part of the WKND 99.5 adventure from day 1. Launching a new radio station in Montreal with a gang of enthusiasts and for brilliant and committed listeners was the experience of a lifetime. Proud of what we have accomplished! 4 great years, but ready for new challenges.”

It must be said that the Montreal station only occupied 2.3% of the market share in the most recent Numeris survey (from February 26 to May 26, 2024), in eighth position.

What in FM?

According to reports The DutyWKND could retransmit the daily content of Qub, Quebecor’s digital radio, including the shows of Richard Martineau, Sophie Durocher, Benoît Dutrizac, Mathieu Bock-Côté, Mario Dumont and company. Information that neither brothers Jean-François and Nicolas Leclerc (of WKND) nor Qub Radio were able to confirm on Friday.

WKND brand director Steven Croatto, who was designated by the network to speak to the media, did not return our calls Friday.

According to a 2008 policy of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), a single company cannot own a general-interest television channel, a radio station and a paid daily newspaper in the same market. A policy that Quebecor has already asked the CRTC to abolish, as it owns the TVA station and The Montreal Journal.

Quebecor believes that this policy is “outdated, superfluous and even indefensible with the multiplication of sources of information on the internet”, according to its brief filed with the CRTC in 2021, reported in The Press our colleague Vincent Brousseau-Pouliot.

Read “Quebecor wants to be able to do FM radio”

By transmitting its content on a channel that belongs to another group – Leclerc Communication – could Qub Radio enter the airwaves in full compliance? We asked the CRTC, which is familiar with the matter.

“We have taken note of the statements made by radio station WKND 99.5 FM Montreal,” wrote Leigh Cameron, Media Relations. “Regulated entities are responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of their service. The CRTC expects all regulated entities to comply with the terms of service, policies and regulations and will take appropriate action if any issues arise.”

While waiting for details on the reorientation of 99.5 FM, which could be announced as early as the beginning of next week, the news has disappointed listeners of the channel, acquired in 2019 by the Leclerc brothers (of Gregory Charles).

“Very, very disappointed,” wrote Caroline Gervais. “Like many of you, I was mainly there for the hosts. If I wanted to listen to music only, I have Spotify. In short, I hope that Vincent, Patrick, Maripier, Étienne, Geneviève and co. will find other exciting projects quickly, projects in which we can follow and listen to them.”

Leclerc Communication’s sister channel in Quebec, WKND 91.9 FM, continues its activities with its usual programming.