Rythme FM

Rythme FM
Type Adult contemporary radio network
Country Canada
Availability FM: Quebec
(Montreal, Laurentides, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Gatineau, Saguenay, Abitibi-Témiscamingue)
Slogan Le Rythme du Québec
Owner Cogeco
Launch date
 1999
Official website
 Rythme FM

Rythme FM is a network of French-language adult contemporary FM radio stations broadcasting in most major markets of Quebec. The network was created and owned by Cogeco.

History

Previous Rythme FM logo, used from 2006 (ca.) to August 2009. The tri-oval shape, a part of Rythme FM's logo since its 1999 introduction, is still used today.

The brand "Rythme FM" was introduced in January 1999 at CFGL-FM in the Montreal market, and the network was created after Cogeco received new licences in other markets in 2002 and 2003. CFGL-FM is the most-listened to French-language station in North America.[1]

The Rythme FM network is in direct competition against Rouge FM; both networks offer a very similar product, with Rouge FM having a marginally hot AC-leaning sound compared to Rythme FM, which leans somewhat more towards oldies/classic hits.

On April 30, 2010, Cogeco announced it would purchase Corus Quebec's radio stations.[2] The sale was approved by the CRTC on December 17, 2010; one of the conditions, however, stipulated that Rythme FM outlet CJEC-FM in Quebec City must be sold to another party by December 2011.[3] On November 9, 2011, it was announced that Cogeco would sell CJEC-FM, as well as CFEL-FM, to Leclerc Communication Inc., a company owned by Quebec City businessman Jacques Leclerc, owner of Laura Secord Chocolates and Biscuits Leclerc.[4]

Following Leclerc's takeover of CJEC-FM, that station continued to carry Rythme FM's branding and networked programming until May 21, 2012, when it dropped its branding and programming in favour of its own programming, relaunched on June 20, 2012 as WKND 91.9.[5] As Cogeco opted to leave its other stations in Quebec City, CFOM-FM and CJMF-FM, as they are for the short term, it leaves the Quebec City area without a Rythme FM affiliate.

On August 16, 2011, CIME-FM in Saint-Jérôme became part of Rythme FM network and added programming from Rythme FM and also adopted imaging and slogan of Rythme FM, but kept its CIME branding.

On August 25, 2014, following an agreement with RNC Media, CHLX-FM Gatineau became an affiliate of Rythme FM, adopting its branding, becoming the first non-Cogeco station to affiliate with that network (other than CJEC-FM).[6] This will follow on March 9, 2015 with the rebranding of RNC-owned CHOA-FM in Rouyn-Noranda, expanding the Rythme FM network to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region;[7] ironically, CHOA-FM was once an affiliate of Rythme FM's competitor, RockDétente (now Rouge FM), before rebranding to Couleur FM in the mid-2000s.

On November 26, 2014, it was announced that Attraction Radio stations CKRS-FM 98.3 and CKGS-FM 105.5 in Saguenay will join the Rythme FM network beginning February 9, 2015; this followed the CRTC's approval to increase the amount of music hours for CKRS.[7][8] This would bring the Rythme FM affiliate and branding to every major market in Quebec, except Quebec City.

Rythme FM stations

Cogeco-owned

Affiliated stations owned by other broadcasters

Former station

Live programs

Bonjour... (local programs)

Bonjour... is the radio network's regionalized breakfast banner. It runs weekdays between 5:30am and 8:30am. The show counts on the presence of journalists and collaborators. With its varied music and lively coverage of what's happening in the world of showbiz, this show remains a must-see for the various Rythme FM stations in Quebec. Formerly, the show had the name of Rythmez vos matins. At first, the show was called Les Matins de...

Regionalized teams

Montréal
  • Philippe Pépin, Marie-Ève Janvier and Stéphane Bellavance (hosts)
  • Valérie Leboeuf (newsreader)
  • Jessika Brazeau (showbiz newsreader)
  • Michel Harvey (traffic reporter)
Mauricie
  • Karl Blanchard, Christine Plamondon and Marc-Antoine Munez (hosts)
Estrie
  • Sébastien Bouchard and Isabelle Peron (hosts)
Saguenay
  • Mathieu Beauregard, Marie-Christine Bernard and Jean-François Desbiens (hosts)

Rythme au travail (local programs)

Rythme au travail is the title of the network's workday programs. It broadcasts at 8:30am-11:30am and once again 1pm-4pm, except Friday afternoons on the Trois-Rivières station which carries the show 1pm-3pm. Music (both English and French) is at the heart of the show, which doesn't include adverts.

Regionalized hosts

  • Julie Bélanger (Montréal)
  • Claudia Ébacher (Mauricie)
  • Isabelle David (Estrie)
  • Valérie Saulnier (Saguenay)

Mitsou et Jean-Philippe (network program)

Mitsou et Jean-Philippe is the network's lunchtime program, airing at the break of Rythme au travail. Mitsou Gélinas et Jean-Philippe Dion play out music and read the news stories from the 1980s and 1990s which is not popular today.

Des hits dans l'trafic (network program)

Des hits dans l'trafic is the network's afternoon drive program. It broadcasts Monday-Thursday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm. Presented by Marie-Soleil Michon et Sébastien Benoît, the show focuses on the contribution of collaborators (a different topic every day) and music. It aims to keep listeners entertained on the way home. Last year, it was called Le Show Du Retour with Marie-Soleil Michon and Patrick Marsolais. Prior to that, it went by the name Véro Show and presented by Véronique Cloutier.

Collaborators

  • Ricardo (Monday - cooking)
  • Sylvie Lavallée (Tuesday - sexuality)
  • Jean-Philippe Dion (Wednesday - showbiz)
  • Guylaine Tremblay (Thursday - milestones)
  • Véronique Cloutier (quotidien - personal chronicles)

La Playlist (network program)

La Playlist is the early evening program between 6 pm and 8 pm and hosted by Denis Fortin. He presents the 3 most requested songs of the day in the station's website and a variety of French and English-speaking music. Everything that happens in the world of music and showbiz is covered. It also features world-famous songs that are unlikely to be broadcast on the station as part of the normal rotating playlist.

Soirée à votre rythme (network program)

Soirée à votre rythme is the evening/early late night program. It is live seven nights a week between 8pm and midnight. Stéphane Richard is on from Monday to Thursday et Marie-Andrée Hamel is on for the rest of the week. The show broadcasts completely French songs which aims to unwind people after a busy day.

Les nuits 100% musique (network program)

Les nuits 100% musique is the overnight program. It broadcasts throughout the night beginning from midnight. The style of music is mainly English pop-dance, although some French songs may also be heard. No live announcers are on the air.

Les weekends à... (local program)

Les weekends à (the host's name) or Rythme FM is the live weekend program. It's live every Friday 4pm (3pm in Mauricie) to 8pm and the weekends from 11am to 4pm. A fast-paced look at all the weekend's local events is provided between a mix of pop, dance and rock music.

Regionalized hosts

  • Mario Lirette (Montréal)
  • Alexandre Trudel (Mauricie)
  • Michel Lafrance (Estrie)
  • Samuel Gagné Rosière (Saguenay)

Showbiz Weekend (network program)

Showbiz Weekend is the weekend breakfast program. It currently runs 6am-9am. Julie Desjardins (Émilie Brassard or Julie St-Pierre as her replacements) provides what's happening in each Rythme FM's broadcast area (on the discovery) and a look at a major event that shaped the Quebec/American/international world of showbiz. The show concentrates on French music, although some English songs may be broadcast.

25 ans de hits (network program)

25 ans de hits is the Saturday morning show. It currently runs 9am-11am. François Fortin is the show's host. The music comes from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The format is not different compared to Showbiz Weekend, but more English songs can be heard.

Originally it was named Souriez, c'est Samedi!, concentrated on the last 30 years' hits, hosted by Philippe Pépin.

Le party dance (network program)

Le party dance is the Saturday drivetime/early evening show. It currently runs 4pm-8pm. With the majority of the music being dance and disco from the 1980s and 1990s, this is one of the network's biggest programs. François Fortin shares the celebrities' lives, fashion tips and some competitions. Listeners have the opportunity to join him in the studio to make special requests.

Dimanche 90 (network program)

Dimanche 90 is the Sunday morning show. It currently runs 9am-11am. Nadia Bilodeau showcases historical musical facts during the decade between songs throughout the entier show. It is originally named Le Palmarès with Sébastien Benoît, featuring the week's most requested songs. The year before, this slot was occupied by Le Dimanche, C'est Le Bonheur with Francisco Randez. The music ranged from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Les hits 90 - 2000 (network program)

Les hits 90 - 2000 is the Sunday drivetime/early evening show. It currently runs 4pm-8pm, hosted by Francois Fortin. Less dance than Le party dance, the music tends to be pop from the 1990s and 2000s as the name suggests. Before, it was called Weekend 80-90 and hosted by Philippe Pépin.

References

  1. ↑ Hot Adult Contemporary DocStoc.com Retrieved 2010-04-28
  2. ↑ "Canada's Corus Entertainment sells all its stations in Quebec, including Montreal". Radio-Info.com. April 30, 2010. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2010-942: "Transfer of effective control of various commercial radio programming undertakings from Corus Entertainment Inc. to Cogeco inc.", issued December 17, 2010". Crtc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  4. ↑ Le Soleil: Rythme FM et CKOI vendues... ou presque, November 9, 2011.(in French)
  5. ↑ Per 919fm.ca website(in French)
  6. 1 2 "A new radio station in the Outaouais Region: Rythme FM!" (PDF). Cogeco. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  7. 1 2 Fagstein: "Rythme FM expands with third new affiliate in six months", December 17, 2014.
  8. ↑ Fagstein: "CKRS-FM Saguenay wants to become a Rythme FM station", May 27, 2014.
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