Ici Radio-Canada Première

Ici Radio-Canada Première
Name	Ici Radio-Canada Première
Network type	Radio network
Airdate	02 November 1936
Country	Canada
Founder	Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Owner	CBC/Radio-Canada
Former names	La Chaîne française de Radio-Canada, Première Chaîne
Website	https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere

Ici Radio-Canada Première is the primary French-language radio network of CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada's national public broadcaster. It provides news, talk, and cultural programming across Canada, with a significant focus on Quebec and Francophone communities. The network is a cornerstone of French-language media in North America, offering in-depth analysis, documentaries, and entertainment.

History

The network's origins trace back to the founding of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1936, which established separate French and English services. Its first flagship station, CBV in Quebec City, signed on the air in 1937, followed by CBF in Montreal in 1938. For decades, it was known as the French-language AM network or La Chaîne française. A major reorganization in the 1990s led to the branding as "La Première Chaîne" and later "Espace Musique" for its cultural sister network. The network adopted its current name, Ici Radio-Canada Première, in 2013 as part of a broader rebranding of CBC/Radio-Canada's services under the "Ici" banner, aligning with Ici Radio-Canada Télé and Ici ARTV.

Programming

Programming is dominated by news and talk, featuring flagship shows like the morning program Le 15-18 and the afternoon drive show Tout un matin. It broadcasts extensive coverage of provincial and federal politics, with programs like Les années lumière dedicated to science and Plus on est de fous, plus on lit! focusing on literature and ideas. The network is also known for its live broadcasts of major events, including Remembrance Day ceremonies from the National War Memorial and Francophone music festivals. Documentary series and radio dramas remain a key part of its cultural mandate.

Stations

The network operates dozens of stations and transmitters across Canada, with its main production centres in Montreal at the Maison Radio-Canada and in Quebec City. Key originating stations include CBF-FM in Montreal, CBV-FM in Quebec City, and CJBC in Toronto serving Ontario's Francophone population. Other significant stations serve communities in New Brunswick, such as CBAF-FM in Moncton, and in Western Canada, including CBUF-FM in Vancouver. The network also maintains rebroadcasters in regions like Northern Ontario and Manitoba to reach isolated Francophone audiences.

Audience and impact

As a public service broadcaster, it plays a crucial role in informing and connecting French Canadians and Acadians across the country. Its news and public affairs programming is highly influential in shaping discourse within Quebec and among Francophone minorities. The network has been instrumental in promoting Québécois French and Acadian French on the airwaves, contributing to linguistic vitality. It regularly partners with institutions like the Université de Montréal and the National Film Board of Canada for cultural projects and faces competition from private broadcasters like Cogeco and Bell Media.

Notable personalities

The network has been home to many iconic journalists and hosts over its history. Legendary journalist René Lecavalier was a pioneering sports commentator, while Judith Jasmin was a trailblazing figure in broadcast journalism. Contemporary influential hosts include Patrick Masbourian, known for his science programming, and Marie-Louise Arsenault, former host of literary shows. Notable political analysts and contributors have included Alain Dubuc and Chantal Hébert, and cultural figures like Robert Lepage have frequently been featured guests. The network has also launched the careers of comedians and writers such as Louis-José Houde.

Technical information

The network broadcasts primarily on the FM band, having transitioned most of its stations from AM over recent decades to improve sound quality. It utilizes the HD Radio system in major markets like Montreal and Toronto. Programming is also widely available via live streaming on the Ici Radio-Canada website, through mobile apps, and on digital radio platforms. The network's signals are supplemented by satellite distribution via Bell Satellite TV and Shaw Direct, and it is carried on most Canadian cable television systems. Its technical operations are coordinated from the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto and other regional hubs.

Category:Radio networks in Canada Category:French-language radio stations in Canada Category:CBC/Radio-Canada