Update 8/6: CFQR relaunched as Rhythmic AC “9-2-5 The Beat” today positioned as “The Beat of Montreal” and “Montreal’s Variety Station”.
The station’s new lineup consists of Cat Spencer and Sarah Bartok hosting “The Beat Breakfast” from 5:30am to 9am, Donna Saker from 9am to 4pm, AJ Reynolds in afternoons from 4 to 8pm, and Paul Hayes at night.
The first hour of 9-2-5 The Beat consisted of:
Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Starting Something
Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
Pink – Perfect
Black Eyed Peas – Just Can’t Get Enough
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Could You Be Loved
Adele – Rolling In The Deep
Max-A-Million – Sexual Healing
Alexandra Stan – Mr. Saxobeat
Prince & The Revolution – Kiss
Edward Maya – Stereo Love
Madonna – Sorry
Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger
Jennifer Lopez – On The Floor
Update 8/24: 92.5 has begun promoting on-air that The Beat of Montreal is coming on Tuesday, September 6 at 4:00pm.
While our original report suspected another CHR, we’re now hearing that the relaunched CFQR will be a Rhythmic leaning AC not much unlike sister French AC “Rythme 105.7“. TheSuburban.com reports that Cat Spencer will anchor mornings on the revamped station, while Ken Connors and Nat Lauzon will hold weekend shifts.
Original Report 8/8: The seeds are being planted for a English language CHR war in Montreal.
Cogeco, fresh off its acquisition of Corus’ Quebec radio properties earlier this year seems prepared to shift AC “92.5 The Q” CFQR in a more contemporary direction to battle Astral’s “Virgin Radio 96” 95.5 CJFM.
Over the course of the summer, Cogeco has registered TheBeat925.com, BeatMontreal.com, BeatMTL.com, TheBeatMontreal.com, and TheBeatMTL.com.
Astral, seemingly aware of the coming shift at CFQR has been registering domains of its own. 925TheMix.com, 925TheHits.com, and the lengthy MontrealsNumberOneHitMusicStation.com were picked up on August 3.
In the most recent ratings period covering April 25 through July 24, Virgin was #2 among all english speakers in Montreal with a 19.8 share. 92.5 CFQR was third with a 16.2. Among Francophones, Virgin 96 was the top english station with a 7.2 share. CFQR was third with a 3.1. There are 837,000 english speakers in Montreal and 2,942,000 french speakers.
A third CHR, Martz Communications’ “94.7 Hits” WYUL Chateaugay, NY rimshots into Montreal from across the US border.
