TVA Studios

After more than 60 years on Avenue Myrand in Sainte-Foy, TVA Quebec took advantage of the recent construction of Centre Vidéotron, Quebec City’s new multipurpose arena, to modernize its facilities and update its television production studios. The Centre’s operator, Québecor, and its subsidiary, Groupe TVA, carried out the complex move to the new location following a feasibility study by ABCP Architecture confirming the conversion potential of Loto-Québec’s former Salon de Jeux into production studios.

Recycling the Salon de Jeux was a huge technical challenge. Significant structural changes were made to clear the production areas of columns that would obstruct the views of the cameras. The entire mechanics of the building were reviewed to ensure occupants would be comfortable, given how much heat is generated by audiovisual equipment and how the new spaces would be divided up. An impressive amount of electric, network, and optic cables were installed throughout the building in order to connect the various facilities to Centre Vidéotron, giving station operators the control they need for effective production. Lastly, a number of complex acoustic devices were installed to make TVA’s studios completely soundproof from the rest of the building and ensure optimal sound quality during production.

Since moving into the former Salon de Jeux right next to the arena, TVA Québec boasts the latest studio production technologies. A number of other facilities have also been added: the 250-square-meter main studio, two satellite sets, the news set (which is used to broadcast the daily news), audio and video production studios, two editing rooms, and two recording rooms. Opposite the news set is an open-area newsroom, windowed offices, and two conference rooms, all bathed in natural light. They provide the team of technicians and journalists with contemporary and functional work spaces adapted to the realities of modern television production.