France Beaudoin is turning her attention from musical portraits to the science of music in Prescription musicale, a new eight-part documentary series premiering Friday, October 16, 2026, on ICI EXPLORA.
The 30-minute episodes will examine how music can support people living with a range of health conditions, while bringing viewers into research projects and clinical settings in Quebec, Ontario and Switzerland.
Table of Contents
France Beaudoin examines music and health
France Beaudoin hosts the series and meets patients, families and researchers studying the relationship between music, the brain and the body.
The series is presented as an exploration of documented benefits rather than a replacement for conventional medical treatment.
Topics include pain management, neurodevelopmental conditions, post-traumatic stress, Parkinson’s disease and brain activity in people experiencing coma.
One episode will look at how music may help children living with autism spectrum disorder develop language and communication skills.
Another examines research into mobility for people with Parkinson’s disease, while a separate instalment considers how music can help veterans coping with trauma.
When and where to watch Prescription musicale
The first episode is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, October 16, 2026, on ICI EXPLORA.
ICI EXPLORA’s published schedule lists the series in the Friday evening time slot, with additional broadcasts on Monday afternoons, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings and evenings.
The program will also be made available through Radio-Canada’s digital platforms, subject to the broadcaster’s release schedule.
The opening episode focuses on music and pain management, followed by an October 23 episode about music’s role in supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
From Alzheimer’s research to a broader investigation
Prescription musicale follows Beaudoin’s earlier documentary work on the relationship between music and Alzheimer’s disease in J’ai souvenir encore.
That project examined the experiences of people affected by Alzheimer’s and helped set the stage for a wider look at music’s possible role in health care and daily well-being.
The new series expands the scope to conditions affecting movement, cognition, communication and emotional health.
Rather than focusing only on performers or musical culture, the program connects personal stories with scientific studies and the work of health professionals.
Research locations include Montreal, Quebec City and Geneva
The production includes access to the BRAMS laboratory, an international research centre devoted to the brain, music and sound.
The series also travels from Montreal and Quebec City to Ottawa and Geneva, where the production visits a care unit for extremely premature babies.
Those locations allow the program to compare different areas of research, including music’s effects on early development, neurological conditions and recovery after serious illness.
Radio-Canada describes the series as a meeting point between emerging scientific evidence and the emotional, social and cultural role music plays in people’s lives.
A busy fall for the Quebec broadcaster
Prescription musicale arrives during a particularly active television season for Beaudoin.
She is also hosting the current season of Pour emporter, which returned October 2 on ICI ARTV with conversations shaped by guests’ influential books, lyrics, quotations and works of art.
The host is scheduled to present a special edition of Pour emporter before the ADISQ Gala on Sunday, November 8, 2026, on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV.
Beaudoin also remains associated with En direct de l’univers, the long-running music program that has made her one of Quebec’s most recognizable television hosts.
For viewers interested in the connection between music and health, the new series offers a practical introduction to research that is often discussed in hospitals, laboratories and rehabilitation settings but less often explained through personal stories on television.
The first episode of Prescription musicale airs at 7:30 p.m. on October 16, with new episodes expected to follow weekly on ICI EXPLORA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does France Beaudoin’s Prescription musicale premiere?
The first episode airs Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. on ICI EXPLORA.
How many episodes are in Prescription musicale?
The first season consists of eight episodes, each running approximately 30 minutes.
What is Prescription musicale about?
The series examines scientific research into how music may support people dealing with pain, neurological conditions, trauma, neurodevelopmental disorders and other health challenges.
Where was Prescription musicale filmed?
The production visits locations including Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and Geneva, as well as the BRAMS laboratory devoted to research on the brain, music and sound.
Is music presented as a replacement for medical treatment in the series?
No. The program explores music as a complementary area of research and support alongside established medical care.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, episode details, broadcast information and production credits were checked against Radio-Canada and ICI EXPLORA’s official program information. ([presse.radio-canada.ca](https://presse.radio-canada.ca/television/14845/france-beaudoin-explore-d-autres-bienfaits-de-la-musique-dans-prescription-musicale-sur-ici-explora/?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: The series discusses research into music and health; viewers should consult qualified health professionals for personal medical advice.