In a context where Quebec media are struggling to capture the attention of an increasingly fragmented public, TVA Sports and QUB Radio find themselves at a crossroads.
Ratings are declining, competition is intensifying, and the public, tired of the current offering, is demanding new and authentic voices.
Jeremy Filosa, a key figure in Quebec sports journalism, appears to be the ideal solution to turn the tide and breathe new energy into these struggling platforms.
But will Quebecor, the media giant, seize this opportunity to strike a blow?
Jeremy Filosa, former pillar of 98.5 FM, has always been more than just a sports columnist.
With his 25 years of experience, he has carved out a unique place for himself in the media landscape thanks to his ability to ask difficult questions, to analyze in-depth the issues of sport and to stimulate public debate.
His suspension for controversial remarks on the fact that man had not walked on the moon according to him, followed by humiliating treatment by Cogeco, in no way damaged his credit with listeners, who continue to support him massively.
Despite this blatant injustice, Filosa remains a respected and desired figure.
Listeners love his authenticity, his passion, and his ability to turn even the most technical topics into captivating discussions.
Offering him a platform at TVA Sports and QUB Radio could transform not only his career, but also the future of these two stations which are drowning in debt.
The latest audience figures reveal the extent of the crisis. TVA Sports is still at the bottom of the hole.
Meanwhile, QUB Radio continues to struggle to find a distinctive tone, unable to compete with established stations like 98.5 FM.
One of QUB Radio’s biggest problems is the lack of prominent personalities who can hold the audience’s attention and compete with 98.5 FM.
Quebecor should benefit from the fact that Jeremy Filosa’s replacement at 98.5 is as flat as ever.
Meeker Guerrier struggles to captivate a demanding audience because he is so boring.
Guerrier is often described as too cautious, even monotonous, a criticism which reflects the general lack of dynamism of the Cogeco station.
On the other hand, Jeremy Filosa has proven that he knows how to provoke, engage and captivate, qualities that Quebecor desperately needs.
Adding Filosa would be a winning strategy on two levels. On a television level, TVA Sports would benefit from a charismatic presence capable of breathing new life into programs that often lack flavor.
Whether as an analyst or host, Filosa could become a central figure, bringing refreshing expertise and incisive perspective to hot topics in sports.
On the radio level, QUB Radio would finally have the strong and credible voice that it is sorely lacking.
Unlike cautious hosts, Filosa is not afraid to ask the real questions and open debates that captivate the audience.
His enthusiasm and ability to tackle complex topics in an accessible way is exactly what the station needs to stand out.
For Pierre Karl Péladeau, president of Quebecor, the integration of Filosa would represent a bold and strategic move.
For years, Quebecor has sought to consolidate its position as a media leader, but recent failures, notably at TVA Sports, have undermined its credibility.
Hiring Filosa would be a clear statement that Quebecor is ready to invest in top talent to win back its audience.
For Jeremy Filosa, joining Quebecor would also be an opportunity to bounce back with success after the degrading treatment suffered at 98.5 FM.
Suspended, demoted to a behind-the-scenes role, forced to undergo training he didn’t need: Cogeco did everything possible to humiliate him and destroy his career.
-Yet Filosa remained dignified and determined, proving that he is much bigger than the petty power plays of his former bosses.
His return, this time to a company that values his talents, could not only redefine his career, but also offer a scathing lesson to Cogeco about what they have lost.
Listeners only ask for one thing: to hear Filosa again.
With TVA Sports and QUB Radio desperate to fill their gaps, the addition of Jeremy Filosa is a seemingly obvious solution.
His professional qualities, his charisma and his courage make him the perfect candidate to bring these platforms back to life.
By integrating Filosa, Quebecor could not only strengthen its audience ratings, but also send a strong message: quality, authenticity and independence of mind are still valued in the media industry.
For the public, this would mean finding a voice they respect and support, and for Quebecor, a renewed credibility and relevance.
Jeremy Filosa is more than a sports journalist: he is an institution, a respected figure and a symbol of authenticity.
While TVA Sports and QUB Radio are struggling to navigate troubled waters, his arrival would be a win-win solution.
Quebecor today has the opportunity to demonstrate that it is still capable of innovating, taking calculated risks and regaining public trust.
The time has come for Jeremy Filosa to find the microphone he deserves, and for Quebecor to prove that it knows how to recognize and seize an exceptional opportunity.
While 98.5 FM continues to be mired in internal crises and controversial decisions, by welcoming Jeremy Filosa, Péladeau could send a strong and symbolic message: at Quebecor, talents are respected, freedom of expression is valued , and power games have no place.
This bold move would not only serve the interests of TVA Sports and QUB Radio, but it would also mark a clear break with the disastrous management that is currently plaguing 98.5 FM.
The year 2024 will be remembered as a period of unprecedented crises for 98.5 FM, once the jewel of Quebec radio.
It all started in April with the brutal ousting of MC Gilles, a columnist appreciated for his authenticity. This dismissal, linked to internal conflicts with Patrick Lagacé, exposed the obvious tensions within the station.
Then, in July, Pierre-Yves McSween, personal finance specialist and one of the station’s most popular columnists, was fired without notice.
Rumor had it that McSween and Philippe Cantin, now host of Quebec nowcould not agree.
The disastrous handling of this departure not only caused an outcry among listeners, but it also weakened the station’s advertising revenues, with some sponsors openly expressing their discontent.
The point of no return was reached in October, when Jeremy Filosa was suspended for expressing personal doubt about the 1969 moon landing.
This withdrawal from the airwaves, perceived by many as a disproportionate sanction, marked the beginning of the public collapse of Philippe Cantin, whose audience ratings fell by 21% in a few months.
Faced with this chaos, Pierre Karl Péladeau has the opportunity to position himself as the anti-Cogeco. At Quebecor, employees enjoy an environment where freedom of expression is not only respected, but encouraged.
Unlike 98.5 FM, where internal power games and ego conflicts have become the norm, Quebecor offers transparent management focused on promoting its talents.
By welcoming Jeremy Filosa, Quebecor could demonstrate that a media company can be managed with respect, integrity and strategic intelligence.
This gesture would also send a clear message: independent and authentic voices still have their place in the Quebec media landscape.
In an industry where every strategic move counts, Quebecor has a unique chance to prove that it is still possible to do things differently. Jeremy Filosa is ready to bounce back, and Quebecor is the perfect place for him to do it.
This decision would be a win-win for everyone: for Filosa, for Quebecor, and above all, for a public that deserves better than the ego quarrels and public humiliations of 98.5 FM. The time has come to turn the page.
