Canadian radio captures five times the listening time of ad-supported Spotify
In the Canadian province of Quebec, the “Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec” (“Association of Community Broadcasters of Quebec”) represents and supports 37 community radio stations that together reach nearly one million listeners each week. These stations are locally owned, non-profit broadcasters serving both urban and rural areas, often in regions where few other media outlets exist. Between limited funding, digital transition, volunteer recruitment and the promotion of emerging artists, ARCQ plays a key role in support, training and representation. Its director, Angélica Carreo, discusses the challenges and priorities facing the sector.
RedTech: What does ARCQ’s role look like in practice when it comes to supporting its 37 member stations?
Angélica Carreo: ARCQ’s role is both to support its member stations and to represent them before third parties. Day to day, our team might answer questions about a grant from Quebec’s Ministry of Culture and Communications, help a member with a file at the “Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux” (“Liquor, Racing and Gaming Board,” a provincial regulatory body), or advise on human resources matters. ARCQ also works to promote the development of its members and the broader community radio sector.
We offer training to our members tailored to their needs and advocate for their interests before the institutions that regulate radio broadcasting. We also focus on facilitating exchanges and strengthening best practices among stations. For example, we produce a monthly newsletter to share updates across the network.
Each November, ARCQ hosts the “Jours de la radio” (“Radio Days,” a national industry conference). At this major annual gathering, professionals meet to network and attend talks, workshops and panels on a range of topics. The event also features a showcase of emerging artists likely to be featured on community radio stations.
RedTech: What are the main challenges community radio stations in Quebec face today?
Carreo: There are several, but the most significant is the drop in advertising revenue, which forces stations to find creative ways to diversify their income. Many also struggle to operate on funding that doesn’t even cover a decent salary. Finding skilled labour has also become increasingly difficult.
That said, morale remains high. The network stands together, communities support their local stations and the stations themselves continue to show great initiative.
Finding skilled labour has also become increasingly difficult
Angélica Carreo
RedTech: Member stations reach nearly one million listeners per week. How do you measure and highlight this audience to institutions and partners?
Carreo: For several years, the firm StatsRadio, in collaboration with “Écho Sondage” (“Echo Survey,” a Quebec-based audience research firm), has conducted a survey to provide accessible audience data. We share the results on our platforms — including our website, social media, and partnership plans — and communicate them directly to institutions and partners, whether at broadcast events or during private meetings.
RedTech: How do community radio stations differ from commercial and public broadcasters?
Carreo: The closeness to listeners and the communities they serve is striking. These stations are physically embedded in their local areas and owned, managed and operated by non-profit organisations made up of community members. Community radio stations are local economic enterprises — they cannot be sold, and their mission cannot be changed without a broad consensus.
Each station has a board made up of local figures who volunteer their time to ensure the station’s visibility and presence in its community. There’s nothing quite like community radio when it comes to representing and promoting a community’s identity.
RedTech: What is the social and cultural impact of community radio across Quebec’s regions?
Carreo: In many areas, community radio is among the few — or sometimes the only — media covering the local territory, thus fostering democracy within communities. These stations inform citizens about local matters that would otherwise go unnoticed and entertain them with programming that reflects their tastes and culture.
They also play an active role in organising community events such as bingo nights or other fundraisers. Some even launch festivals or initiatives aimed at social inclusion. Community radios proudly embrace their role in social and cultural development.
RedTech: How does ARCQ help its members with digital transition and multiplatform content production?
Carreo: We are currently conducting a major survey among our members to gain a better understanding of their digital practices. The data will help us adapt our services and standardise approaches. Some stations are ahead of the curve, while others are still discovering new technologies. Based on the findings, we will provide more targeted support, including tutorials and written guides. Of course, members can always contact us directly for assistance.
RedTech: Community radio relies heavily on volunteers. How does ARCQ support training and succession planning in this area?
Carreo: At the next “Jours de la radio” (“Radio Days”), we plan to host a session led by the “Centre d’action bénévole de Québec” (“Volunteer Action Centre of Quebec,” a non-profit promoting community engagement) on best practices for recruiting, welcoming and supervising volunteers. Volunteer management, like staff management, remains a significant challenge, so ARCQ has turned to experts for guidance.
Beyond that, strengthening our network and making it attractive to everyone, including volunteers, is an effective way to encourage engagement. That remains our daily challenge.
Community stations self-finance nearly 80% of their operations, making local partnerships equally crucial.
Angélica Carreo
RedTech: How does ARCQ promote musical diversity and emerging artists on community radio?
Carreo: Each station develops its programming independently, but ARCQ distributes weekly shows produced by members or other local creators — many of which feature a range of musical genres. The showcase at “Jours de la radio” is another way to promote Quebec music within our network.
We also work to strengthen ties with Quebec’s music industry, which helps showcase the province’s rich musical diversity. Each week, “Palmarès Pro” (“Pro Charts,” a trade magazine published by ADISQ — Quebec’s music industry association) publishes the Top 10 from ARCQ member stations, offering a snapshot of the most popular tracks across community radio.
RedTech: Which institutional or financial partnerships are most strategic for ensuring the sustainability of local stations?
Carreo: A mix of partnerships is key to recognition and stability. Institutional partnerships — such as those with the Government of Quebec and the Community Radio Fund of Canada — are vital, as much of the funding comes from these sources. However, according to the latest statistics, community stations self-finance nearly 80% of their operations, making local partnerships equally crucial.
Community radios are born from their communities, and their survival depends on the support of those communities. No community means no community radio.
RedTech: What are your priorities for the coming years to strengthen the visibility and recognition of community radio in Quebec?
Carreo: We’ll continue advocating at all levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal — to secure better funding and advertising placements. We also aim to unite our efforts with colleagues across Canada and the wider community media sector to raise our profile. Ultimately, we aim to enhance the autonomy and independence of our stations, thereby strengthening and making them more resilient in the face of ongoing challenges.
This article originally appeared in our French sister publication, La Lettre Pro.
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