Québecor deepens recording push

MONTREAL • Québecor Inc. is doubling down on its recorded music bet by snapping up the influential homegrown label Audiogram.

The Montreal-based cable, entertainment and media company is buying Audiogram from longtime owners rosaire Archambault and Michel Bélanger, according to a statement issued Wednesday. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Also included in the transaction are Éditorial Avenue, Canada’s largest French-language music publisher, as well as a show-production division and a rights collection service.

Founded in 1984, Audiogram has carved out a unique niche by nurturing the careers of much-admired Quebec singer-songwriters such as Daniel Bélanger, Isabelle Boulay, Jean Leloup, Ariane Moffatt and Michel rivard. Audiogram artists have sold more than 10-million albums combined worldwide since the label was created. The back catalogue includes about 400 albums.

“Audiogram is one of the most respected labels in Quebec,” Martin Tremblay, chief operating officer of Québecor’s sports and entertainment unit, said Wednesday in a telephone interview. “I’m 44 years old, and I grew up with many of the artists that the label championed. I’m really honoured by the trust that rosaire Archambault and Michel Bélanger are demonstrating through this transaction. Audiogram is their life’s work.”

With this in mind, Tremblay pledged to “preserve the artistic personality and creative freedom that have been Audiogram’s hallmarks since its inception.” The label’s “original voice will enrich the ecosystem that we’re building,” he said.

Québecor already owns the Musicor, MP3 records and STE-4 labels.

Philippe Archambault, who has led Audiogram since 2015, will stay on as the label’s general manager. he will become vice president of music at Québecor’s sports and entertainment unit.

“It was important to rosaire Archambault and me to keep the music catalogue in Quebec hands,” Bélanger, Audiogram’s founding president, said in the statement. he hailed the buyer as an owner “that cares about Audiogram and will give it the respect and sensitivity it needs.”

Even as music fans increasingly turn to streaming services, Tremblay insists buying a record label still makes sense in 2021.

“yes, sales of physical recordings are smaller today, but many other platforms have emerged,” Tremblay said. “The trick will be to keep investing to find new creators and adapt to the platforms of today and tomorrow.”

Québecor is gearing up for the return of live entertainment, though Tremblay won’t say when he expects that to happen.