Virgin Radio Listen Again: From its beginnings, Virgin Radio has evolved. Most people nowadays have heard of the Virgin name and are familiar with its meaning. Despite the fact that Virgin Radio lacks the tradition and history of the BBC in the United Kingdom, it is nonetheless one of the most well-known broadcasting stations today. It’s also a well-known DAB network around the world, with shows like #ChrisEvansBreakfast airing on it.
Although Virgin Radio is well-known, few people are aware of its beginnings or the changes it has seen through time. Even if you’re not a regular listener, the most popular stations in the market are fascinating to learn about. We delved into the history of the Virgin brand for this introduction to one of the world’s most interesting radio stations.
The long and colorful history of Virgin Radio
The construction of the #VirginRadio network in the United Kingdom was supported by Richard Branson and a few other innovative inventors, such as Chris Evans. In comparison to the BBC, Virgin Radio has only been on the air for a brief period of time. The British Broadcasting Act was passed in the 1990s, and the company was born. Because of the Act, commercial radio stations were authorized to broadcast for the first time. Prior to this, listeners could only tune in to local stations or the BBC’s national broadcasts.
The BBC’s monopoly on UK radio stations was one of the reasons why pirate radio stations began to crop up all over the country. The radio authorities at the time made two more licensing options accessible in an effort to promote greater cultural diversity in broadcasting. One of the most popular alternatives allowed businesses to broadcast simply spoken word audio and video. It was also possible to broadcast music that was not always labeled as “pop.”
“Who owns Virgin Radio?” please let us know
If anyone knows the solution to the following question: “Who owns Virgin Radio?” is one of the most difficult questions to answer while researching the history of #VirginRadioUK. The channel has changed hands multiple times over the years. Virgin Radio began selling its assets in 1997 in order to acquire London’s largest radio station, Capital Radio.
Because of the magnitude of the proposed merger, the Monopolies and Mergers Committee had to approve it before it could go forward. Chris Evans began hosting Virgin Radio’s breakfast show after being fired from BBC One. Evans sold Virgin Radio to Ginger Productions for £85 million after realizing how much he enjoyed working there. The MMC had placed the merger between Virgin and Capital on hold, enabling the deal to proceed. The Scottish Media Group, which also owns Ginger Media Group and Virgin Radio, purchased STV and Pearl & Bean in 2000. Virgin Radio was fined £75,000 for a violation of impartiality following Ken Livingston’s victory in the London mayoral election.
In 2008, the Times of India Group bought Virgin Radio from the SMG team. Virgin’s #RadioChannel was temporarily rebranded by Absolute Radio because the company was denied authorization to use the Virgin moniker due to a new acquisition. Surprisingly, the new company lasted eight years. Virgin Radio reopened in 2016, reverting to its old title and reclaiming control of its brand. Virgin Radio Pride UK is now available on the internet for the LGBTQ+ community. Virgin Radio UK has announced the launch of Virgin Radio Pride UK to commemorate the summer of pride. From June 7 through September 30, this unique new radio station will broadcast a diverse mix that will make you laugh, cry, and feel proud.
Virgin Radio’s Success
When compared to the rest of the world’s radio networks, Virgin is a modest radio network. However, the company’s success has risen dramatically in recent years. The popularity of commercial radio in the United Kingdom is a major reason for Virgin Media’s expansion. At the start of 2019, Radio Centre predicts that 36.1 million people listened to commercial radio stations. DAB radio stations, such as Virgin, are also gaining popularity. More people now listen to digital radio than FM/AM transmissions. This is a big shift in the radio industry that will transform how we consume news and entertainment in the future.
To begin with, Chris Evans’ return to Virgin Radio’s morning #BreakfastShow has boosted the station’s listening figures significantly. During Evans’ first 10 weeks back on the air with Virgin Radio, the station surpassed one million listeners for the first time. Prior to Chris Evans’ return, Virgin Radio had a weekly audience of over 480,000 listeners. Instead, the company now has a weekly listenership of nearly 1.5 million people. To understand more about Virgin Radio’s growth and evolution, check out our full guide. If you want to discover more about the intriguing world of radio, come to RadioFidelity.com.
There are numerous critical LGBTQ+ concerns that need to be addressed
Its core programming will cover key concerns for the LGBTQ+ community, fostering talks about themes such as trans-rights, gay adoption issues, and living with HIV, with the help of various LGBTQ+ partners. Tia Koffee, Matt Cain, Debbie Ryan, Phil Clifton, Shivani Dave, and Stephen Sullivan are among the LGBTQ+ panelists who will be joined by celebrity guests for a panel discussion. The station will broadcast live from Pride Festivals across the country, partnering with events like Blackpool Pride and Oxford Pride, among others.
The Food Chain, a London-based charity that helps HIV-positive individuals live healthy, independent lives; Shout (a proud Virgin Unite partner); AIDS Memorial Quilt; All About Trans; and The Logbooks podcast are just a handful of the organizations with whom it has partnered. Matt Cain’s Sunday afternoon programme with dynamic LGBTQ+ discussions, as well as documentaries concerning bisexuality in 2021, the influence of LGBTQ+ populations on dance music, and Matt Cain’s Sunday afternoon show with dynamic LGBTQ+ debates will be presented.
People who identify as LGBTQIA+ have their rights Defended
Virgin has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community’s rights. Richard Branson launched the Student Advisory Center, a confidential helpline for students seeking counsel and support, nearly 50 years ago. Many young gay people were being rejected, and he yearned for a location where he could meet and be accepted by others in similar situations. As a result of this, he purchased London’s Heaven nightclub.
Sponsorship of Pride festivals, international panel appearances, support for Open for Business, a business-led coalition dedicated to making the economic case for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and speaking out against discriminatory legislation are just a few of Virgin’s many contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2019, Virgin Atlantic launched the world’s first Pride flight to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.
What are you most excited to learn about?
Beginning June 7, Virgin Radio Pride UK will be available on DAB in London, online, and via the Virgin Radio app. CIQM-FM, also known as 97.5 Virgin Radio, is a Canadian radio station based in London, Ontario, that broadcasts on 97.5 MHz. The station’s format is CHR/Top 40. CIQM is owned by Bell Media. CIQM broadcasts from its transmitter at 1 Communications Road in West London, with CJBX-FM, CJK-FM, and CFPL-studios DT. CIQM broadcasts on a frequency that was previously used by CKO from 1977 to 1989.
