CIGB-FM

On March 5 Légerbourg  Inc. was licenced to operate the first local independent FM station in Trois-Rivières. It would operate on a frequency of 102.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 11,000 watts. The CRTC cited impressive support and the experience of the principals in favouring this application over a competing bid by Paul Lacoursiere.

CIGB-FM signed on the air on August 27.

On June 28, approval was given for the transfer of 49% of Légerbourg Inc. (owner of CIGB) by Maurice Bourget (14.8%), Francois Dufresne (7.95%), Guy Leblanc (18.3%) and Jean-Louis Guillot (7.9%) to Radiodiffusion Mutuelle 1980 Canada Ltee., owner of the market’s CJTR-AM.  CIGB would continue to operate independently. Radiodiffusion Mutuelle would be responsible for technical services, national ad sales and would provide eight hours of syndicated programming from CKMF Montreal and CHIK Quebec.  

Yves Guerrard, previously president of Radio Mutuel’s Montreal operations, was now responsible for the company’s FM stations in Montreal, Quebec and Trois-Rivieres.

On January 29, the CRTC renewed the licence of CIGB-FM. On May 3, 1985, the Commission had renewed the licence for for one year only because of deficiencies in the licensee’s performance in relation to the commitments contained in its Promise of Performance, especially foreground programming, and required the licensee to adhere to its 15% foreground programming commitment. The Commission then conducted an analysis of the programming broadcast by CIGB-FM for the week of February 10-16, 1986, which revealed a level of 7.1% foreground format programming and 56.9% French-language vocal music, which was below the 65% commitment contained in its Promise of Performance. At the hearing, the licensee explained that it was now adhering to its commitments and that the shortfalls revealed in the February analysis had been rectified following a meeting with Commission representatives. After the hearing, the Commission decided to conduct another analysis of CIGB-FM’s programming. In accordance with its established procedures, the Commission asked the licensee to submit tapes for the period of August 25-31, 1986. In light of problems in the quality of the tapes submitted, the Commission conducted an analysis from tape recordings provided by the Department of Communications. The analysis revealed an improvement in the level of foreground format programming to 18.9% but a level of French-language vocal music of only 54%. At a meeting held on December 8, 1986 with Commission representatives, the licensee acknowledged its non-compliance with respect to French-language vocal music and explained that a new computerized system which was not fully functional was being used at the time of the Commission’s second analysis. In view of its analyses and the licensee’s own admissions which indicated that the station was not complying with its commitments with respect to French-language vocal music, the Commission decided to renew CIGB-FM’s licence for eleven months only, from February 1, 1987 to December 31, 1987, subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued. The station would be operated in the Group I music format. The Commission took note of the licensee’s progress with respect to foreground format programming and approved the proposal to broadcast 13% foreground format programming. 

The CRTC turned down Cogeco’s application to purchase CIGB-FM. The Commission said the transfer would have resulted in an excessive concentration of broadcast ownership in the community. 

Guy Leblanc, Maurice Bourget, Jean-Louis Guillot and François Dufresne sold their 51% interest in Légerbourg Inc. to Radiomutuel Inc. This gave Radiomutuel 100%. Radiomutuel was also given permission to use a dance music format on CIGB-FM.

The  corporate name changed from Légerbourg Inc. to Radiomutuel Inc.

Astral Media Inc. purchased Radiomutuel.

On October 5, CIGB was given approval to decrease effective radiated power from 11,000 to 5,800 watts and to increase antenna height.  

On July 6 the CRTC renewed CIGB-FM’s licence until August 31, 2014. Conditions: The licensee shall make a basic annual contribution to Canadian content development. The licensee shall allocate 60% of this basic annual CCD contribution to the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings or MUSICACTION. The Commission notes the licensee’s commitment to devote 3 hours and 5 minutes, including 18 minutes on weekends, to local news. The licensee shall also devote 2 hours and 8 minutes to local weather, sports, culture and entertainment.

In August, Astral’s chain of “Energie FM” stations changed their name to “NRJ” (pronounced Energie in French). The change was part of a licensing deal with NRJ-FM in France.

On June 27, 2013, after a previous such application had been denied in 2012, the CRTC approved an application by Astral Media Inc. to sell its pay and specialty television channels, conventional television stations and radio stations to BCE Inc., including CIGB-FM.

The ten NRJ stations in Quebec were rebranded as Énergie on August 24. Programming remained Pop Rock hits. CIGB changed from NRJ 102.3 to ENERGIE 102.3.