Editing Absolute Radio (section)

=== 1993–1997: Virgin Radio launch and early years ===
[[File:Virgin Radio office London.jpg|thumb|upright|No 1 Golden Square with "Virgin Radio" branding, 1993–2008]]
The [[Broadcasting Act 1990]] allowed for the launch of [[Independent National Radio|independent national radio]] (INR) stations in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broadcasting Act 1990 |url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?activeTextDocId=2771854 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |access-date=2 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628140547/http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?activeTextDocId=2771854 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Ofcom|Radio Authority]] was mandated to award three INR licences, one of which (INR1) had to be for a "non-pop" station (which was awarded to [[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]]), and one of which had to be for a predominantly speech-based service (this would be advertised later as INR3 and awarded to [[Talksport|Talk Radio]]). The remaining licence was to be open to "all-comers". The licences were to be awarded to the highest cash bidder, providing that the applicant met criteria set down in the Broadcasting Act.<ref>{{cite web | title = Fact Sheet 3: The Radio Authority: Its licences and licensing procedures | publisher = Radio Authority | location = London | url = http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/rau/about-ra/factsheets/fs3.html  | access-date =2 May 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605121120/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/rau/about-ra/factsheets/fs3.html| archive-date= 5 June 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The second national licence, INR2, would take over the 1197&nbsp;kHz and 1215&nbsp;kHz [[medium wave]] (AM) frequencies, which were to be relinquished by [[BBC Radio 3]].<ref name="guardian-19920205">{{cite news | title = Pop hopefuls go under the hammer and over the top | first = Martin | last = Linton | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1992/02/05&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00300&PageLabel=3 | work = [[The Guardian]] | page = 3 | location = London | date = 5 February 1992 | access-date =2 May 2011 }}</ref> The licence was advertised in October 1991<ref>{{cite web | title = Radio Authority consults on INR opt-outs | publisher = Radio Authority | location = London | url = http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/rau/newsroom/news-release/99/pr094.htm | access-date =2 May 2011}}</ref> and five organisations bid: the Independent National Broadcasting Company of Sheffield, which bid £4,010,000 per year; a [[TV-am]]/[[Virgin Group|Virgin]] consortium (£1,883,000); [[Chiltern Radio Network]]'s 20/20 Radio (£1,311,000); [[Radio Clyde]]'s Score Radio (£701,000); and a consortium of [[RTL Group|CLT]], [[Harvey Goldsmith]] and [[RTÉ]] (£211,000).<ref name="guardian-19920205" /> The TV-am/Virgin consortium was awarded the licence in April 1992, after the Radio Authority said that it was not satisfied that Independent National Broadcasting would be able to sustain the service.<ref>{{cite news | title = TV-am and Virgin awarded pop radio franchise | first = Georgina | last = Henry | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1992/04/03&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00209&PageLabel=2 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 2 | date = 3 April 1992 | access-date =2 May 2011 }}</ref> Later that year, TV-am lost its [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] franchise<ref>{{cite news | title = TV-am gives up hunt for a new business | first = Patrick | last = Hosking | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/tvam-gives-up-hunt-for-a-new-business-1561057.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 2 December 1992 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> and its stake in the radio station was sold in March 1993<ref name="Guardian-19930419">{{cite news | title = Sing-along-a-Branson | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1993/04/19&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar02200&PageLabel=22 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 22 | date = 19 April 1993 | access-date =8 May 2011 }}</ref> to [[Apax Partners]], [[JPMorgan Chase|JP Morgan Investment Corporation]] and [[David Frost|Sir David Frost]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Branson takes to the airwaves: Hopes are high as Virgin Radio begins broadcasting. | first = Patrick  | last = Hosking | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/branson-takes-to-the-airwaves-hopes-are-high-as-virgin-radio-begins-broadcasting-patrick-hosking-reports-1458133.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 29 April 1993 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Observer-1997-04-13">{{cite news | title = Branson to buy back radio shares | first = Emily | last = Bell | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOB/1997/04/13&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar03706&PageLabel=37 | work = The Observer | location = London | page = 37 | date = 13 April 1997 | access-date =29 May 2009}}</ref>

The station launched as Virgin 1215 at 12:15&nbsp;pm on 30 April 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMatIckk1eg|title=THIS IS THE LAUNCH OF VIRGIN RADIO IN THE UK ON THE 30TH APRIL 1993|last=gadgets and games 1975|date=7 March 2012|via=YouTube}}</ref> The original line-up of DJs included [[Richard Skinner (broadcaster)|Richard Skinner]], [[Russ Williams (DJ)|Russ Williams]], [[Jono Coleman]], Mitch Johnson, [[Graham Dene]], [[Nick Abbot]], [[Wendy Lloyd]], [[Tommy Vance]], [[Emperor Rosko]] and [[Dave Fanning]]. [[Chris Evans (presenter)|Chris Evans]] was also hired to present a Saturday morning show, following his success at [[BBC GLR]] in the weekend mid-morning slot. The show, ''The Big Red Mug Show'', was sponsored by [[Nescafé]]. The first song played was [[INXS]]' cover version of the [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] song "[[Born to be Wild]]". [[Richard Branson]] was the first voice to be heard, live from the [[Virgin Megastores|Virgin Megastore]] in Manchester, with [[Richard Skinner (broadcaster)|Richard Skinner]] the first voice back in the London studios.<ref>{{cite news | title = Born to be wild, Branson records personal history | first = Anne | last = Karpf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1993/05/01&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00500&PageLabel=5 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 5 | date = 1 May 1993 | access-date =2 May 2011}}</ref> Skinner was also programme director, a role he shared with John Revell.<ref>{{cite news | title = Virgin puts emphasis on albums | first = David | last = Lister | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/virgin-puts-emphasis-on-albums-1476777.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 6 January 1993 | access-date =8 May 2011 }}</ref> John Pearson was launch sales director, a role he had previously held at [[LBC]]. Andy Mollett was launch finance director. David Campbell, previously managing director of one of Virgin's post-production television companies,<ref>{{cite news | title = My Biggest Mistake | first = David | last = Campbell | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/my-biggest-mistake-1432029.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 27 March 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> was the chief executive at launch.<ref name="Guardian-19930419" />

From before its launch on AM, Virgin Radio was campaigning for a national FM network. Initially, it lobbied for [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4's]] FM network to be made available<ref>{{cite news | title = Virgin pushes for Radio 4's FM slot | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1993/04/29&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00701&PageLabel=7 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 7 | date = 29 April 1993 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> and then, when the Radio Authority launched a consultation on the use of the 105–108&nbsp;MHz band,<ref>{{cite news | title = Listeners are asked to choose radio service: Authority seeks opinion on FM frequencies available in 1996 | first = Maggie | last = Brown | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/listeners-are-asked-to-choose-radio-service-authority-seeks-opinion-on-fm-frequencies-available-in-1996-1392878.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 9 February 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> it lobbied for it to be set aside as a national network.<ref>{{cite news | title = Branson begins crusade to gain FM frequency for Virgin Radio | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1994/02/09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00804&PageLabel=8 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 8 | date = 9 February 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> The Radio Authority decided, however, that 105–108&nbsp;MHz would be licensed to new local and regional stations<ref>{{cite news | title = Channel 4 presses for break with ITV | first = Maggie | last = Brown | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/channel-4-presses-for-break-with-itv-1438301.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 25 May 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011 }}</ref> and Virgin Radio applied for<ref>{{cite news | title = 41 fight for London radio licences | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1994/06/29&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00501&PageLabel=5 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 5 | date = 29 June 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref> and won one of the new FM licences advertised in London as a result.<ref>{{cite news | title = Virgin wins one of six new slots on London's airwaves | first = Rhys | last = Williams | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/virgin-wins-one-of-six-new-slots-on-londons-airwaves-1441573.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 8 October 1994 | access-date =8 May 2011}}</ref>

Virgin Radio launched on 105.8&nbsp;MHz FM in London on 10 April 1995<ref>{{cite news | title = Wave of restricted radio hits peak | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1995/04/10&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00702&PageLabel=7 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 7 | date = 10 April 1995 | access-date =24 May 2009}}</ref> beginning with a message from broadcaster [[David Frost]] at 6&nbsp;am followed by the ''Russ 'n' Jono breakfast show''. Part of the licence requirements for the London service meant that a daily London opt-out was broadcast on FM, presented initially by [[Rowland Rivron]].<ref name="Bowie">{{cite web|last=Bowie |first=Adam |title=A Brief History of Virgin Radio |date=26 September 2008 |url=http://onegoldensquare.com/2008/09/a-brief-history-of-virgin-radio-by-adam-bowie/ |access-date=8 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202020813/http://onegoldensquare.com/2008/09/a-brief-history-of-virgin-radio-by-adam-bowie/ |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Within a year, Virgin Group was considering the next steps for the radio station, including the option of a flotation<ref>{{cite news | title = Virgin Radio considers flotation | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-radio-considers-flotation-1318820.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 13 February 1996 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> or buying back the shares of JP Morgan, Apax and Sir David Frost.<ref name="Observer-1997-04-13" /> In May 1997, it was announced that [[GCap Media#Capital Radio Group|Capital Radio]] had agreed to acquire Virgin Radio in an £87&nbsp;million deal.<ref>{{cite news | title = Capital buys its rival Virgin as it prepares to challenge Radio 1 | first = Julia | last = Finch | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/05/07&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar01900&PageLabel=19 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 19 | date = 7 May 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> Capital's plans included moving Virgin Radio from 1 [[Golden Square]] to Capital's [[Leicester Square]] building and splitting programming between the AM and FM services.<ref>{{cite news | title = Capital acquires Virgin Radio | first = Cathy | last = Newman | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/capital-acquires-virgin-radio-1260203.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 7 May 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> The Radio Authority approved the acquisition,<ref>{{cite news | title = Capital gets go-ahead to buy Virgin Radio | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/capital-gets-goahead-to-buy-virgin-radio-1251278.html | work = The Independent | location = London | date = 18 July 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> but [[Nigel Griffiths]], the Consumer Affairs Minister, referred the takeover to the [[Competition Commission (United Kingdom)|Monopolies and Mergers Commission]] (MMC).<ref>{{cite news | title = Virgin Radio sale hits MMC snag | first = Julia | last = Finch | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/08/01&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar01905&PageLabel=19 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 19 | date = 1 August 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> The MMC report into the takeover would not be issued until January 1998, and would recommend that the deal could only go ahead if [[Gold (British radio network)|Capital Gold]] was sold or Virgin's London FM licence was excluded from the deal.<ref>{{cite news | title = Capital dealt blow to big ambitions as monopolies body bites | first = Chris | last = Barrie | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1998/01/14&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar01906&PageLabel=19 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 19 | date = 14 January 1998 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> However, the delay in approval of the Capital acquisition would ultimately lead to the deal not going through.

In January 1997, Chris Evans left his role as presenter of the ''[[Radio 1 Breakfast|Radio 1 Breakfast Show]]'' as a result of a disagreement between him and the programme controller [[Matthew Bannister]] (Evans had asked for Fridays off to allow more time for him to work on his [[Channel 4]] television show, [[TFI Friday]]).{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=254-258}}<ref>{{cite news | title = Evans severs Radio 1 links after failing to present breakfast show | first = Andrew | last = Culf | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/01/21&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00503&PageLabel=5 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 5 | date = 21 January 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> Evans was keen to return to radio{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=278-284}} and it had been reported that his agent, Michael Foster, had approached [[Matthew Bannister]] to ask if Evans would be allowed to be return to Radio 1,<ref>{{cite news | title = Evans wanted Radio 1 show back | first = John | last = Mulholland | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/10/13&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00103&PageLabel=1 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 1 | date = 13 October 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> and he had gone as far as commencing negotiations to buy Talk Radio.{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=283-284}}

Richard Branson wanted Evans to work for Virgin Radio, so much so that he joined him on a [[Concorde]] flight to New York to try to persuade him to join as the drive time presenter.{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=265-275}}<ref name="Guardian-19971004">{{cite news | title = Branson woos Evans to Virgin's breakfast slot | first = Kamal | last = Ahmed | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/10/04&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00204&PageLabel=2 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 2 | date = 4 October 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref> In the end, Virgin Radio hired Evans to present the breakfast show, replacing the incumbent ''Russ 'n' Jono show'' (presented by [[Russ Williams (DJ)|Russ Williams]] and [[Jonathan Coleman (presenter)|Jonathan Coleman]]). His show started on 13 October 1997, the same day that [[Zoë Ball]] started as Evans' replacement on Radio 1.{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=287-289}} The initial contract would only be for ten weeks, until the MMC announced its decision on the Capital Radio takeover.<ref name="Guardian-19971004" /> Evans approached David Campbell to discuss buying the radio station and, with Michael Foster's help, they put together a deal to buy it with venture capital supplied by Apax Partners and [[BNP Paribas|Paribas]], with Virgin Group retaining a 20% stake in the business.{{sfn|Evans|2009|p=290-317}} The deal was announced on 8 December 1997, and would see the formation of the Ginger Media Group, an umbrella company overseeing Virgin Radio and producing programmes such as TFI Friday.<ref>{{cite news | title = Chris Evans takes over at Virgin Radio | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/37990.stm | work = [[BBC News]] | location = London | date = 9 December 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = BBC faces new onslaught as Evans snatches Virgin Radio | first1 = Simon | last1 = Beavis | first2 = Chris | last2 = Barrie | url = http://archive.guardian.co.uk/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToSaveGifMSIE_DIGITALARCHIVE&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=GUA/1997/12/09&ChunkNum=-1&ID=Ar00201&PageLabel=2 | work = The Guardian | location = London | page = 2 | date = 9 December 1997 | access-date =29 May 2011}}</ref>