Since its foundation in 1964, Videotron expected that it would someday be the leader of its industry. When this Québec-based company was established, its founding president, Mr. André Chagnon, led the first cable broadcasting network installation in Montréal-North and part of Laval. Videotron was known then as Télécâble Videotron ltée and had 66 subscribers.

Videotron jump-started an era of innovation and prosperity still vital today:

The 1960s and 70s

• 1966 - 1969: Videotron buys, modernizes and builds cable networks across Québec;
• 1969: Launch of the first à la carte TV experience called Sélecto-TV;
• 1974: The first two-way cable service in the world is launched in Saint-Jérôme.

The 1980s

• 1980: Videotron acquires National Cablevision and becomes the largest cable operator in Québec;
• November 20, 1985: Group Videotron issues shares and is listed on the Montréal Exchange;
• 1986: Groupe Videotron acquires Télé-Métropole inc., the largest French-language private broadcaster in North America;
• 1988: Creation of Protectron, a company specializing in the sale, installation, service and surveillance of security systems. It is sold in 2001;
• 1989: Inauguration of Le SuperClub Videotron ltée stores, the largest chain of video stores in Québec;
• Videotron builds a long-distance fibre-optic network between Montréal and Québec for its own telecommunication needs.

The 1990s

Videotron positions itself as a major player in the cable broadcasting industry and as a business entity able to rival the leaders with a creativity and ingenuity that would one day set the example for others.

• 1990: Launch of the Vidéoway terminals, the first interactive television system in North America;
• 1996: Launch of the first Internet service;
• 1997: Groupe Videotron acquires CF Cable TV Inc., which mainly serves Montréal's West Island and the southern part of Laval;
• 1998: Launch of the InfiniT.com portal;
• 1999: Launch of digital TV in Montréal, then Hull and Québec City. This service signs close to 25,000 subscribers in less than six months.

The 2000s

• October 2, 2000: Quebecor Media acquires Groupe Videotron;
• May 23, 2001: The CRTC approves the transfer of shares of Videotron Ltd. to Quebecor Media;
• 2001: Launch of illico Digital TV;
• 2003: After spending two years as the head of customer service, sales and marketing at Videotron, Robert Dépatie is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. He spends the first few months implementing a strategy supported by a clear vision of improving the quality of customer service and the customer's experience. Under his leadership, the company redefines itself to quickly become a complete provider of telecommunications services deeply rooted in their new mission: to provide their customers with the best possible experience. During this year, Videotron launches two major services - Video on Demand and high-definition television;
• 2004: Videotron becomes the first major cable broadcaster in Québec to offer its customers a High-Definition Personal Video Recorder (HD-PVR);
• 2005: Videotron is the first major cable distributor in Canada to offer residential cable telephony. Quebecers now have a choice when it comes to choosing a telephone service provider. In less than three years, Videotron gains more than 600,000 subscribers. This success makes 2005 one of the company's most memorable years with revenues reaching the billion-dollar mark;
• 2006: The activities of Videotron Télécom and Videotron Ltd. are merged to become Videotron Business Service;
• The launch of wireless telephony. Videotron becomes a telecommunications company in its own right, offering cable TV, Internet, residential telephony and wireless telephony. It strengthens the vision of multiplatform experience thanks to the convergence of technologies and an increase of exclusive content;
• Customers of illico Digital TV order 20 million movies and TV programs with illico on Demand, a 100% increase from 2005. This confirms the undeniable popularity, where Videotron is available, of this television and entertainment lifestyle. There is also an overall trend with consumers who want to watch what they want, whenever they want;
• The activities of Le SuperClub Videotron are merged with those of Videotron;
• Videotron signs important sponsorship agreements increasing its notoriety during the province's most popular cultural festivals: Just for Laughs Festival and Les FrancoFolies de Montréal. Videotron takes this opportunity to completely revamp its advertising platform and introduce its charming technician;
• 2007: Videotron announces it will revolutionize the Internet world with the implementation of a new modem which, when deployed on Videotron's powerful and reliable network, allows it to reach speeds of up to 100 Mbps - a feat accomplished by only one other company in the world;
• The range of high-definition French- and English-language channels is increased;
• The areas of modernization of the network are multiplied, with the goal of offering enhanced services. It requires investing millions of dollars;
• The launch of the Softphone, which allows subscribers to better manage their communications thanks to the call management of a telephone integrated to a computer.
• 2008: Videotron headquarters moves to its new location on St-Jacques street, in the same building as Quebecor.

Videotron is not finished making history. During the next few years, we will recruit more talented individuals and continue to grow and be successful by offering customers the best possible experience. Our 40 years of business and relationships with customers has given us much insight on the preferences of Quebecers in terms of television, Internet services, new technologies and entertainment. In Québec, with the deregulation of local telephony, Videotron is still preferred to the competition. It is no surprise that Videotron was named the most admired telecommunications company in Québec and displays each year a highly enviable customer satisfaction rate.

Top