Say Hi To a New "Virgin"

[theradiokid]

It looks like Canada might have another “Virgin Radio” station soon. This time, it’s in Calgary, AB, where Astral has registered virginradio985.com for it’s “Vibe 98.5,” according to radioinsight and airchecker. It is believed the rebranded station will stay CHR, similar to “Virgin” in Montreal.

My thoughts: They should probably do something, now that they have fierce competition from the new “Amp Radio 95.3.” Since “Amp” signed on, “Vibe” has seen a dip in ratings. The question is whether the rebranding will help the station against it’s competition.

--The Radio Kid
(Oswego, NY.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[Yeziknoradio]

It looks like Canada might have another “Virgin Radio” station soon. This time, it’s in Calgary, AB, where Astral has registered virginradio985.com for it’s “Vibe 98.5,” according to radioinsight and airchecker. It is believed the rebranded station will stay CHR, similar to “Virgin” in Montreal.

My thoughts: They should probably do something, now that they have fierce competition from the new “Amp Radio 95.3.” Since “Amp” signed on, “Vibe” has seen a dip in ratings. The question is whether the rebranding will help the station against it’s competition.

If all is true, it may be because Vibe is associated more with an urban feel at a time when the station may be trying harder to maintain more of a CHR feel.

Astral will also have a new Calgary home to add their Virgin Hit music UK count down to if they carry through with the Virgin radio name there.

 

[Dan Sys]

Could be a bunch of hot air. As I recall Astral actually registered the Virgin Radio domain for Calgary in late 2008.

 

[azumanga]

Astral will also have a new Calgary home to add their Virgin Hit music UK count down to if they carry through with the Virgin radio name there.

Does Virgin Radio still have a UK-based countdown program? The last year or so, Virgin either closed off or sold their UK stations, preferring to license their brand overseas.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Astral will also have a new Calgary home to add their Virgin Hit music UK count down to if they carry through with the Virgin radio name there.

Does Virgin Radio still have a UK-based countdown program? The last year or so, Virgin either closed off or sold their UK stations, preferring to license their brand overseas.

Yes, but don't they still maintain the right to air UK top 40 on the week-end some time?
I'm sure they still pay a small fee for that...?
Doesn't Virgin 999 still air the program? (at least?)

 

[e-dawg]

Do you think other Astral stations will switch to Virgin? Such as......
SUN-FM Okanagan Valley (97.1, 99.9, 105.7)
KBS-FM Kootenay region
MIX-FM Northwest BC (Prince Rupert, Terrance)
Energy FM Peace Region (Ft. St. John, Ft. Nelson)
100.3 THE BEAR - Edmonton
KX 96 - Brandon MB
HOT 103 -Winnipeg MB
Big Dog 100.9 - Truro NS
Capital FM 106.9 - Fedricton NB
CJ104 - Woodstock NB
K93 - Grand Falls NB
Max 104.9 Bathurst NB

 

[Dan Sys]

The only markets from your above list where Virgin Radio would have a remote chance to be viable might be Winnipeg and Edmonton. However I really doubt Astral will be in much of a hurry to flip Hot 103 or The Bear as they both remain pretty solid performers, especially Hot 103 which is #3 in Winnipeg.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

In the case of Edmonton, I think e-dawg is refering more to the Ottawa example.
The Bear there was fine the way it was.
What's to stop Edmonton's Bear from being identical to the Virgin Rock 106 format in Ottawa?