The worlds of TV and radio have been marked by the departure of several important figures this year. Insight.
TV legend retires
An important page of television news in Quebec turned on June 16, when Pierre Bruneau presented his latest news bulletin. After 46 years as TVA’s anchor, the veteran journalist left the air with wet eyes and a shower of tributes. His departure sparked a game of musical chairs within the network. Sophie Thibault took up the torch at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., leaving her position at VAT News 10 p.m., which fell into the hands of Pierre-Olivier Zappa.
Marc-Andre Lemieux, The Press
District 31 : the end of a phenomenon
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
The famous cup of coffee carried around by the detective sergeants of District 31
On April 21, the lights went out for good in the always teeming District 31 police station. After 716 half-hour episodes (spread over six seasons), the daily signed Luc Dionne pulled reverence at the top, with a final watched by more than 2 million people. Viewers, barely recovered from the death of Poupou (Sébastien Delorme), had to say goodbye to Patrick Bissonnette (Vincent-Guillaume Otis), Bruno Gagné (Michel Charette) and the rogue commander Chiasson (Gildor Roy). A real television phenomenon! The truth: we’re still bored.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
Change on the airwaves
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, PRESS ARCHIVES
Paul Arcand in the studio in 2020
Paul Arcand announces his departure in two years, Marie-Louise Arsenault puts an end to The more the merrier, the more we read!Paul Houde loses his microphone at 98.5 FM, The evening is (still) young disappears to return to a daily format on ICI Première, Julie Bélanger leaves Rythme FM… The radio landscape has also experienced several upheavals over the past 12 months. A strong wind of renewal which has not, however, upset the established order in Montreal, according to the Numéris polls of the fall: 98.5 FM still dominates the airwaves, with Arcand as king and master.
Marc-Andre Lemieux, The Press