 | |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom and Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
|---|---|
| Frequencies |
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| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Hot AC |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | |
| History | |
First air date | 30 March 2016 (2016-03-30) |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | Ofcom |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Radioplayer |
| Website | virginradio |
Virgin Radio UK is a nationalHot Adult Contemporary radio station in theUnited Kingdom that launched on 30 March 2016, owned byNews Broadcasting, which is itself a subsidiary of News Corp.[1] It is the second incarnation of Virgin Radio in the UK: the original station launched in 1993 before being rebranded asAbsolute Radio in 2008.
As of July 2025, the station has a weekly audience of 1.39 million listeners according to RAJAR.[2][3]
The station launched at 11:00 on 30 March 2016 on aVirgin Trains service fromManchester toLondon byEdith Bowman andMatt Richardson and the first song played was a live cover version ofDavid Bowie's song "Changes" byGavin James.[4]
At launch, Virgin Radio UK broadcast to about 75% (now 83%) of the UK population via theSound DigitalDAB ensemble, and also broadcasts via onlinestreaming to computers,mobile device applications andinternet 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 1980's through to the 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 onBBC 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 BBC Radio 2. As withChris Evans' show, it is distinguished by not having advertisements, due to being wholly sponsored. On 24 February 2024, Norton announced suddenly he was leaving the station, with his final show the following day.
Wireless launched two new Virgin-brandedDAB+ 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 broadcastThe 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 31 March 2025, Virgin Radio Anthems was rebranded as Virgin Radio Legends.[10]
On 30 December 2019, Virgin Radio UK launched a third digital spin-off station – Virgin Radio Groove – on DAB+. It consisted ofmotown,soul anddisco music and broadcastsThe Chris Evans Breakfast Show at breakfast. The station closed in 2022.
In June 2021[11] a temporary station launched for theLGBTQ+ community,Virgin Radio Pride; It featured many different programmes and documentaries presented by a wide variety of presenters. Virgin Radio Pride returned for further temporary runs in summer of 2022, 2023 and 2024.[12] Whereas the Anthems and Chilled stations broadcast nationally onSound Digital, Virgin Radio Pride and other pop-ups have typically broadcast on News UK-owned SwitchDigital's DAB multiplexes in London and central-belt Scotland.
On 1 September 2022, the sister stationVirgin 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 replaced Virgin Radio Groove on DAB radio in London and Scotland (the slot having been used during the summer by that year's run of Virgin Radio Pride).[13] On 17 September 2025, Virgin Radio 80s Plus was rebranded asVirgin Radio 80s.
In November 2023, an online-only pop-up station markingDiwali was run.[14]
In February 2025, a new temporary Virgin Radio sibling station launched as a DAB+ station in the London area.Virgin Radio Britpop was launched to mark the 30th anniversary of a number of key moments in theBritpop movement, such as the 'Battle of Britpop' chart race betweenBlur andOasis, and the latter group's impending reunion gigs.[15]
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