The impending announcement of the retirement of Paul Arcand, an iconic figure on the 98.5 FM airwaves, has caused panic at the station.
With the end of his radio career looming in June 2024, the 98.5 team fears the devastating impact this transition could have on its audience and position in the Montreal radio market and Canada as a whole.
Paul Arcand, nicknamed the “King of the Aether,” has captivated and captivated large audiences over the years thanks to his unique style and undeniable talent.
His morning show “Puisqu'il aussi se leva” has long dominated the ratings and, at 98.5, is the most listened to station in Montreal, Quebec and even all of French-speaking Canada.
But with his departure imminent, fears are growing that the broadcaster will be able to maintain its leadership without him.
Patrick Lagacé, who will succeed Arcand at the helm of the morning show, does not enjoy the same popularity and charisma as his predecessor.
Although he is a respected and talented journalist, it is clear that he cannot fully replace the aura and influence of Paul Arcand.
This uncertainty about the future of 98.5's morning show raises legitimate concerns at the station.
Without the Arcand mainstay, there are fears that the station's loyal audience will turn to other options, particularly competitors that could offer more attractive programming.
For 98.5 FM, the resignation of Paul Arcand represents a major challenge. The management team must redouble its efforts to maintain audience loyalty and ensure a smooth transition into the post-Arcand era.
The resort's fate will largely depend on its ability to find a balance between respect for Paul Arcand's legacy and the innovation required to remain competitive in an ever-changing market.
And if we rely on what happened a few months ago, we say that the signs are bad.
As of mid-November, Paul Arcand's absence from 98.5 left a void in Montreal's radio landscape.
This absence was noticeable in the numbers, as this fall the station's morning viewership declined, although it remained the most listened to station in the Montreal market.
This is shown by the hearing data published by the company Numeris. Paul Arcand's flagship show “Puisqu'il aussi se leva” dominated the morning show in the most recent survey last spring with a market share of 40.2%.
However, audience shares fell to 34.8% in the morning hours last fall, a worrying trend for an advertising-dependent broadcaster. These figures only partially reflect Paul Arcand's extended absence for health reasons.
Paul Arcand gave up his microphone in the second week of November due to a serious blood infection. However, the survey took into account audiences from late August to late November, suggesting an even steeper decline in viewership of 98.5 over the last month.
The return of Paul Arcand in January got the ratings back on track. But when he retires, he will no longer be able to save the station single-handedly.
Patrick Lagacé is in trouble. The journalist considers the step too high to fix the chaos caused by Arcand's resignation.
98.5 FM will drop from a great height…