| Virgin Radio UK | |
| Area: | United Kingdom |
| Format: | Hot Adult Contemporary |
| Language: | English |
| Owner: | News Broadcasting |
| Licensee: | News UK |
| Licensing Authority: | Ofcom |
| Webcast: | Radioplayer |
| Sister Stations: | Talkradio Talksport Talksport 2 Times Radio Virgin Radio Anthems Virgin Radio Chilled Virgin Radio 80s Plus |
Virgin Radio UK is a national Hot Adult Contemporary radio station in the United Kingdom that launched on 30 March 2016, owned by News Broadcasting[1] which is itself a subsidiary of News Corp.[2] It is the second incarnation of Virgin Radio in the UK: the original station launched in 1993 before being rebranded as Absolute Radio in 2008.
As of September 2023, the station has a weekly audience of 1.4 million listeners according to RAJAR.[3]
The station launched at 11:00 on 30 March 2016 on a Virgin Trains service from Manchester to London by Edith Bowman and Matt Richardson and the first song played was a live cover version of David Bowie's song "Changes" by Gavin James.[4]
At launch, Virgin Radio UK broadcast to about 75% (now 83%) of the UK population via the Sound Digital DAB ensemble, and also broadcasts via online streaming to computers, mobile device applications and internet radios. It can be received outside the UK via the mobile app and website.
The broadcasts are presented live from 04:00 to 22:00 with overnight shows being automated. The playlist is varied focusing mainly on pop music ranging from the 80's through to current day.
On 3 September 2018, Chris Evans announced that from January 2019 he would be moving to Virgin Radio after 13 years of broadcasting on BBC Radio 2.[5] He launched his new breakfast show on 21 January 2019.[6]
On 7 January 2019, Virgin Radio joined the Sky and Freesat satellite platforms.[7]
In January 2021[8] Graham Norton started a weekend show after 10 years at Radio 2. As with Chris Evans' show, it is distinguished by not having advertisements due to being wholly sponsored. Norton announced suddenly he’d leave the station on 24th Feb 2024, with his last show the following day on Sunday 25th Feb.
Wireless launched two new Virgin-branded DAB+ spin-off stations on 21 December 2018. Virgin Radio Anthems plays guitar-based classics from the 1980s and 1990s. Virgin Radio Chilled features acoustic singer-songwriters and is designed to unwind and relax.[9] Both stations broadcast The Chris Evans Breakfast Show. When Virgin Anthems launched in December 2018, the station changed its slogan to "The Chris Evans Breakfast Show and Classic Tracks".
On 30 December 2019, Virgin Radio UK launched a third digital spin-off stationVirgin Radio Grooveon DAB+. It consisted of motown, soul and disco music and broadcasts The Chris Evans Breakfast Show at breakfast. The station closed in 2022.
In June 2021[10] a temporary station launched for the LGBTQ+ community, Virgin Radio Pride; It featured many different programmes and documentaries presented by a wide variety of presenters. Virgin Radio Pride returned for a second run during summer 2022.
On 1 September 2022, the sister station Virgin Radio 80s Plus was launched, which plays the artists of the 1980s, plus the best music from the late 1970s and early 1990s. Virgin Radio 80s Plus can be heard online, on smart speakers across the UK and on DAB in Greater London and the Central Belt of Scotland. It replaces Virgin Radio Pride on DAB radio.[11]