Due to a lack of agreement with his broadcaster, controversial host Jeff Fillion decided to leave CHOI 98.1 Radio X at the end of his current contract in August. He made the announcement on his Twitter account.
Updated yesterday at 3:13 p.m.
“My contract with Radio X expires next August, said the host in an audio publication. For a few months, I informed RNC of the plans I had in mind for my future and RNC did not comply with my requests and my conditions and chose not to offer me a new contract. I consider that at this stage of my career, I have the privilege of knowing what I am worth and I deserve to be able to choose the conditions that suit me, and that is what I have decided to do. It will end in August. »
However, he will continue to host his daily show on the paid internet channel he founded, RadioPirate.com.
Also on Twitter, CHOI Radio X confirmed the departure of its host: “CHOI Radio X confirms the departure of host Jeff Fillion after the latter rejected the renewal offer submitted to him by the station. The animator will stay on for a few more weeks, but won’t be back next fall. »
On the side of RNC Media Inc., a press release was published by the vice-president, Philippe Lefebvre: “Our station has solid programming and hosts recognized for their personality and the color they bring to their respective programs. We will continue to build our schedule around safe values, flagship programs and hosts appreciated by the audience. To remain this favorite station tuned to by thousands of listeners every day, we will focus on continuity and innovation: a formula behind our success over the past twenty-five years.
“We thank Jeff for his years behind the mic and wish him the best of luck for the future. »
Philippe Lefebvre declined our interview request.
A controversial past
The show host Fillion at noon has made headlines a few times over the past 20 years. He left CHOI 98.1 Radio X for the first time in March 2005 after being at the heart of a dozen defamation lawsuits totaling $6 million.
One of them had been filed by television host Sophie Chiasson, who accused the host of sexist remarks. In 2007, the latter received $300,000 in damages from Jeff Fillion and Genex Communications, then owner of the station, following a judgment by the Superior Court of Quebec. Pierre Jobin, TVA anchor, also received compensation of $150,000 for comments made by the host from Chicoutimi.
In March 2014, Jeff Fillion went to the NRJ 98.9 station, from where he was fired in 2016 for a comment posted on Twitter about businessman Alexandre Taillefer. The latter made an appearance at Everybody talks about it to talk about the suicide of his son, an appearance that Jeff Fillion had made fun of.
Despite these controversies, CHOI Radio X decided to hire him again in August 2016 to host the midday show.