Let’s talk about radio | The Press

MC Gilles will have his show on 98.5

The announcement of the arrival of Philippe Cantin in the chair currently occupied by Patrick Lagacé at 98.5 completely eclipsed another announcement. In addition to ensuring a daily presence in the return home, MC Gilles will present a brand new show on Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a summary of the week which will be made from radio moments from 98.5 and more personal observations from the man in the eternal cowboy hat. With MC Gilles, we can imagine that this show will not take itself seriously and that it will aim to end the week in a good mood. Notice to the hosts and columnists of 98.5, everything you say now could turn against you.

A taste of summer on ICI Première

The regular season of ICI Première ends on June 21, but already rustling sounds are reaching my ears. Rose-Aimée Automne T. Morin will present a program entitled To slow down. As her title suggests, she and her guests will tell us how, in the fast-paced world we live in, we must learn to go slower. For her part, Catherine Richer will present Phenomenal, a series on major cultural phenomena. Let’s say that our era is a great provider of trends, starting with reality TV. In addition, Evelyne Charuest will replace Pénélope McQuade in the 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. slot, and Marie-Louise Arsenault will present series of interviews with politicians and writers. Among the desired returns, let us note that of Jean-Sébastien Girard at the helm JS Tendresse. That’s good, we’ve announced a tour for Michèle Torr in Quebec.

Veronica and the Fantastic in 100% French-speaking music mode

Rouge FM recently announced that its homecoming show, Veronica and the Fantastic, hosted by Véronique Cloutier, will offer 100% French-speaking musical programming. Does this mean we will be treated to more English-speaking songs in other shows? “Mathematically, we could,” a Bell Media spokesperson told me. In this case, this initiative does not affect the densification of English-speaking songs elsewhere in the programming. Rouge FM complies with broadcasting rules with 55% French-speaking music between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and a minimum of 65% French-speaking music throughout the week. » We will see if this broadcaster will keep its promises. In the meantime, let’s salute this initiative which should make some progress.

A powerful podcast series on conversion therapy

Since 2022, conversion therapy has been banned in Canada. Yet these practices that aim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity continue to exist. Director Jocelyn Lebeau has created a powerful seven-episode podcast series which will be available starting April 8 on OHdio. In the first episode of Make a man of yourself – conversion therapy, we meet Gabriel who, at the dawn of adolescence, underwent this type of “therapy” through the religious community to which his mother was a member. “Just because there’s a demon inside you doesn’t mean you’re the demon!” » This is how it was explained to Gabriel that it was necessary to bring out the “devil” that was in him. This took the form of an exorcism. I will not tell you anything else. It’s disturbing, upsetting, but oh so relevant. To listen to without fail.

Radio has no age

The Léger survey presented annually on the show In the media is a rich indicator of our media consumption habits. Among the highlights revealed a few days ago, we learned that radio continues to appeal almost equally to all age groups. Among 18-34 year olds, 56% of them listened to it live during the week preceding the collection to catch up on current events, while the score is 66% for 35-54 year olds and 63% for those aged 55 and over. This balance has nothing to do with that of television news bulletins, which attract 38% of 18-34 year olds compared to 85% of those aged 55 and over.

Stingray in defense of local radio stations

When you think of the name Stingray, you immediately think of music streaming. But this Canadian company located in Montreal also owns around a hundred radio stations. Faced with the crisis shaking the Canadian media, Stingray took the initiative to intervene with the federal government to defend the interests of local radio. Along with other local radio networks (Acadia Broadcasting, Arsenal Media, Bayshore Broadcasting, Central Ontario Broadcasting, Golden West Broadcasting, etc.), Stingray is asking for a commitment from Ottawa to invest at least 70% of government advertising spending in local media (radio, television, written press, digital media). We also propose the establishment of a minimum tax credit of 20% to encourage advertisers to favor the purchase of advertisements in Canadian media. “A few years ago, the federal government injected 90% of its advertising budget into the Canadian media. Today, 80% goes to digital giants, laments Eric Boyko, president, co-founder and CEO of Stingray. It’s GAFAM [Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon et Microsoft] who pockets. We have to change that. »

Radio-Canada productions stand out

The New York Festivals Radio Awards gala rewards the best radio productions from around the world. No fewer than seven Radio-Canada creations are currently part of the selection (the “short list”). Among the shows, we find Everything can happenthe unmissable Saturday event on Ici Première, Janette and her pearls of wisdomas well asBetween Carole and Lewis, show by Carole Laure and Lewis Furey on ICI Musique (in complete transparency, I must specify that I collaborated on this production). On the podcast side, This is explained, My version of the facts: the Claude Larouche case, Fearsome: the great crimes in story And Resistance were also retained. We will find out more at the gala on April 16.