Noovo presented its news bulletins from an emergency studio set up on L’Île-des-Sœurs on Monday. This temporary solution allowed the network to resume operations after a weekend of paralysis due to the pipe rupture that occurred Friday in Montreal.
The massive water leak near the Jacques Cartier Bridge also caused significant flooding at Télé-Québec. But the Bell Media building, which houses TV channels like Noovo and RDS, at 1755 René-Lévesque Boulevard East, appears to have suffered more damage.
In an email, Bell Media confirmed that a team has been working to clean up the damage caused by the flood since Saturday. In the meantime, a reduced team is working at the Bell Campus on L’Île-des-Sœurs, where three sets (for Noovo Info, RDS and CTV Montreal), three control rooms and three newsrooms have been set up in less than 48 hours to “ensure the broadcast of live programs,” such as the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BELL MEDIA
Three sets, three control rooms and three emergency newsrooms were set up in 48 hours.
At the opening of the Noovo Info 17the head of the station Marie-Claude Paradis-Desfossés spoke of “a rather unusual start to the week”.
In a report presented by Marika Simard later in the show, it was revealed that the flood had transformed the basements of Bell Media buildings into “veritable water retention basins”, including the parking lot.
Watch a video from Sanivac showing the extent of the damage
According to a report by CTV News Montreal video journalist Denise Roberts, the force of the water “engulfed and scattered” several of the network’s new vehicles. “The camera room was also submerged, and nearly all of our field equipment was destroyed,” it reads.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Trucks were busy pumping water from the offices of CTV, RDS and Noovo on Saturday.
Programming disrupted
Over the past few days, on Facebook and X, many viewers have complained about the lack of commentary when they tuned in to RDS. The Cincinnati tennis tournament matches were particularly quiet, without Hélène Pelletier, Yvan Ponton and Sylvain Bruneau.
On Sunday evening, baseball fans were still able to enjoy the commentary of Marc Griffin and Alain Usereau during the Yankees-Tigers match, despite some technical problems during the broadcast.
Programming was also disrupted on Canal Vie, also owned by Bell Media. No sound and the same film was broadcast over and over, according to various cable subscribers. Most content remains available on demand, particularly on Noovo.ca, we are informed.
Bell Media does not know when Noovo, RDS and CTV Montreal will be able to return to a sense of normalcy. “The public can rest assured that all our teams are mobilized to ensure a return to normal as quickly as possible,” says Suzane Landry, Vice President, Content Development, Programming and Information at Bell Media. “We will draw up a final assessment when the situation is fully restored.”
Damage to Télé-Québec
Friday’s events did not affect Télé-Québec’s programming, but its headquarters, located just a few metres from the famous geyser, did not escape unscathed. Under the pressure of the water, several windows in the building shattered, the head of the broadcaster’s press relations department, Catherine Lebœuf, told us. For three days, teams have been working to remove water, mud and some damaged equipment from the building.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
A water pipe rupture near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge caused major flooding in the area on Friday.
“It was in the basement that we had the electrical and computer systems,” explains Catherine Lebœuf.
The flood also affected Télé-Québec’s fleet of vehicles.
As for the broadcaster’s websites, Télé-québec.tv and Cuisinez, they operate intermittently.
The launch of Télé-Québec’s 2024-2025 programming, scheduled for Thursday, should take place since Télé-Québec had already reserved the Maison Alcan, located in the west of downtown. “For now, the lights are green,” says Catherine Lebœuf, who adds that Télé-Québec has requested certain facilities to continue its activities. Thus, the TV5 premises, in the heart of Old Montreal, will be used.
TVA and Radio-Canada spared
Built less than 500 metres from the Bell Media offices, along De Maisonneuve Boulevard, the TVA building was not affected. The broadcaster only reported a lack of water and electricity throughout the day Friday. Programming remained intact.
The same story at Radio-Canada, whose building is located across from the Bell Media facilities, on René-Lévesque. No water damage, no equipment failure.
“We were spared. We are really, really lucky,” comments Guylaine O’Farrell, the public broadcaster’s senior director of internal and external strategy.
Bell Media also contacted Radio-Canada after the flood. The public broadcaster submitted a proposal for assistance, but the company ultimately “chose another solution.”
“We also offered our help to Télé-Québec. We are waiting for their response,” says Guylaine O’Farrell.