[4-4-2]

Virgin Radio could be on its way back...

The Daily Telegraph understands Sir Richard's Virgin Radio International will make a bid today for Absolute Radio. The radio group is being sold by its Indian owner TIML Radio, part of Bennett Coleman, just three years after they acquired the group without the Virgin brand for £53.2m and renamed it Absolute Radio.

Others understood to be making indicative, non-binding offers by today's deadline include talkSPORT owner UTV, Global Radio and Orion Media, the Midlands-based radio group. Interest has also come from Bauer Media, owner of Magic 105.4.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...-14-years.html

[Choccy Boy]

Why is it I can't see Global or Orion buying it?
UTV maybe but Bauer would be my favourite to get it.

[4-4-2]

Would Bauer rebrand as Q or even Kerrang?

UTV could be quite interested in the Premier League football rights, which could be used on talkSPORT, but can they have two national stations? Could Global? Would they be allowed to have another FM station in London?

[airwaves]

Interesting. A reversal back to Virgin Radio would be confusing for the average listener considering the station carried that name less than three years ago!

What's clear though is that the output certainly needs a shake up whoever takes it on.

[Choccy Boy]

Originally Posted by airwaves

Interesting. A reversal back to Virgin Radio would be confusing for the average listener considering the station carried that name less than three years ago!

I don't think it'll be confusing as a lot of people I know still call it "Virgin".

[philengland]

If Virgin got it, wouldnt mind one of its digital streams reverting back to the Virgin Radio Groove!

What would be good though, would be RTL Group plc getting hold of Absolute - some of their Dutch stations are fantastic (like Radio 538 and Radio 10 Gold)

[mcampbell595]

I'd love for Virgin Radio to return!

[Mark Levy]

What's the saying, you can't go backwards in life, always move forward. Just think though what could happen if VIRGIN did come back, it might set a trend of other old radio favourites returning. KFM (Stockport,), PICCADILLY RADIO (Manchester), GALAXY, CENTURY, COUNTRY 1035, SAGA etc.

[4-4-2]

I doubt it.

[Joey Deacon]

According to today's Daily Telegraph, Sir Richard Branson is attempting to buy back the former Virgin Radio 14 years after selling up.

Interesting.

The Daily Telegraph understands Sir Richard's Virgin Radio International will make a bid today for Absolute Radio. The radio group is being sold by its Indian owner TIML Radio, part of Bennett Coleman, just three years after they acquired the group without the Virgin brand for £53.2m and renamed it Absolute Radio.

Others understood to be making indicative, non-binding offers by today's deadline include talkSPORT owner UTV, Global Radio and Orion Media, the Midlands-based radio group. Interest has also come from Bauer Media, owner of Magic 105.4.

Sources familiar with the situation said some offers could come in significantly lower than the price paid by TIML, as the business has been loss-making.

[Martin Phillp]

Another vote for Virgin, as long as it reverts to it's classic album tracks and best new music format which it had under Beardie the last time round and not the formats used by Ginger Media Group and SMG.

[zing]

Hope they get Russ and Jono back

[SouthCity]

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

Another vote for Virgin, as long as it reverts to it's classic album tracks and best new music format which it had under Beardie the last time round and not the formats used by Ginger Media Group and SMG.

If you mean the format used in the first six months in 1993 (later attempted by Original in the UK) I doubt they will be trying that again - it was a disaster for both stations.

It's much more likely that they will try the Jack format as it It's a proven audience puller.

[Martin Phillp]

Originally Posted by SouthCity

If you mean the format used in the first six months in 1993 (later attempted by Original in the UK) I doubt they will be trying that again - it was a disaster for both stations.

No I don't mean the very early days of the station.

They didn't have the FM frequency until 1995 which helped Virgin to stay on-air and in business.

In one of the other threads, I suggested a Jack format for the London frequency and a classic rock or pop/rock 80s format for 1215.

[Martin Phillp]

Originally Posted by zing

Hope they get Russ and Jono back

I doubt it now that Jono is settled in Oz and back with his old sidekick on a syndicated show.

[Ray Bentos]

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

I doubt it now that Jono is settled in Oz and back with his old sidekick on a syndicated show.

Trust me, Jono would be back in the UK for a job like that quicker that you could strike a match

[Bingethink]

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

No I don't mean the very early days of the station.

They didn't have the FM frequency until 1995 which helped Virgin to stay on-air and in business.

In one of the other threads, I suggested a Jack format for the London frequency and a classic rock or pop/rock 80s format for 1215.

I can't believe there's any future in a national AM-only music station. The digital business is still built on the back of the London FM frequency - that has to be the "national" brand.

[Inkblot]

This story doesn't appear to be corroborated anywhere yet. Media Guardian, FT, BBC News don't seem to have it. So... maybe it's not definite that Virgin will be back. Yet.

[wildehavana]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

This story doesn't appear to be corroborated anywhere yet. Media Guardian, FT, BBC News don't seem to have it. So... maybe it's not definite that Virgin will be back. Yet.

There's no saying that Bransons bid will win, it is only one of many reported interests.

[dpb]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

This story doesn't appear to be corroborated anywhere yet. Media Guardian, FT, BBC News don't seem to have it. So... maybe it's not definite that Virgin will be back. Yet.

The Telegraph article is speculation really. I doubt any confirmation announcement will be soon.

[loudrocksurfer1]

if Global buy it they would probably sell XFM or Choice

if Orion did then I could see them selling Wyvern/Beacon or BRMB/Mercia

UTV would sell Absolute when they have grabbed the Football rights

Bauer or Branson would be ideal choice

[mattd]

Originally Posted by loudrocksurfer1

if Global buy it they would probably sell XFM or Choice

Er, no, they wouldn't.

If Orion did then I could see them selling Wyvern/Beacon or BRMB/Mercia

Er, no, they wouldn't.

UTV would sell Absolute when they have grabbed the Football rights

Er, no, they wouldn't.

[VirginMediaPhil]

Originally Posted by mattd

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, no, they wouldn't.


Er, no, they wouldn't.


Er, no, they wouldn't.

[Matt00011]

Originally Posted by mattd

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, no, they wouldn't.

Er, how do you know?

[Gary Sparrow]

I like the station. It has taken over from talkSPORT as my work day listen, mainly due to the 'no-repeat workday' they do. But, it really doesn't matter who the hosts are- it is just about the music for me. That is all I want to hear- not some daft 'wacky banter'.

Having said that, the Geoff show with Annabel is just brilliant at banter!