It’s the end of an era. Paul Arcand, who reigns supreme over the morning slot on Montreal radio 98.5 FM for nearly twenty years, will leave the helm of his show in two years.
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The man nicknamed “the king of the airwaves” announced on the air Thursday morning that he will not renew his contract when it expires in 2024.
“I want to move on to something else in two years,” said the host following thanking his listeners for their loyalty and the “exceptional” results of the latest Numeris poll published the day before.
“I prefer to tell you directly because it can leak or come out wrong. I told my bosses that I intended to complete my current contract, which meant hosting the morning show for two years. But I don’t want to renew the deal and I don’t want to extend my contract.”
However, the hour of retirement has not yet come for Paul Arcand. The 62-year-old host stressed that he had taken this long-considered decision to develop other projects, including documentaries: “I intend to work, keep a microphone, do what I love, to do interviews, he detailed. I don’t know how it will turn out. But it won’t be part of a morning show. I have lots of ideas and I’m working on a series that I can’t talk regarding yet.”
Changing of the guard
With the announcement of this departure in two years, a page in the history of Quebec radio is turning. Paul Arcand has hosted morning radio for 32 years. He started on CJMS in 1990, before making the jump to CKAC in 1994, then to 98.5 FM in 2004. His show Since you have to get up has been at the top of the listening polls for several years.
The early departure of Paul Arcand leaves a lot of time for the leaders of 98.5 FM to find the rare pearl who will succeed his formidable morning man. In the immediate future, the station must also name the person who will replace Bernard Drainville, who recently left the animation of his daily show to return to politics under the colors of the CAQ.
We are currently witnessing a changing of the guard on the airwaves of 98.5 FM. Paul Houde, another heavy hitter at the station, announced last month that he will host its last show on June 19 following seeing his contract not renewed by Cogeco. He will be replaced by Elisabeth Crête next fall. Jacques Fabi has also confirmed that he will bow out in a few weeks following hosting on the radio at night for 45 years.
