TVA Group announces the end of its broadcast of local newscasts in Quebec City on weekends

TVA Group announced Thursday the end of its local news broadcasts in Quebec during weekends.

This decision, which will take effect from June 2, is linked to the “precarious financial situation” of TVA, as well as to the approval of the CRTC, which on Monday accepted the relaxation of the broadcasting license, the company said in a press release. From the Quebec station based on a request made by Quebecor last year.

Journalists from the ancient capital will remain on duty every weekend to cover news in the region. Their reports will be included in the national TVA Nouvelles publication, and will be broadcast on LCN and on digital platforms.

However, the equivalent of two redundant positions will be abolished, but TVA Group points out that under the reorganization plan for its information sector, nine positions have been added at Capitale-Nationale for broadcasting regional news bulletins. Lac Saint-Jean, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.

Xavier Brassard-Bedard

Image courtesy, VAT

“In a context where the media must constantly find solutions to the financial crisis affecting them, we must constantly re-evaluate our activities in order to reduce our operating costs while maintaining high-quality coverage. TVA and LCN have therefore chosen to give voice to the regional issues of the national capital on the national channel “We have also decided to focus our resources on the ground for our teams of journalists who do essential work to collect stories and cover local issues that affect the population.” News from TVA, Xavier Brassard-Bedard.

TVA Group states that despite these changes, it will offer “a number of hours of local programming greater than the regulatory requirements, and higher than those offered by Radio-Canada and Noovo, as the CRTC recognized in its decision.”

The TVA Nouvelles weekend bulletin is led by presenter Hadi Hussein at 6pm and 10pm. He also presents information at 8:30 p.m., on LCN. During the week, TVA Nouvelles Québec's local bulletin, hosted by broadcaster Julie Couture, will continue to be presented Monday to Friday, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.