Virgin Radio Seattle?

[Bongwater]

Theres a buzz floatin' around since the sign on of Toronto's Virgin 999 (99.9 FM), the first North American branch of Mr. Branson's Europe/Asian radio empire that Virgin is the new JACK...

Interesting....

If you haven't noticed, Virgin Radio in it's birthplace of the UK is now rebranding as Absolute Radio (and currently mentioning "soon to be Absolute Radio" the way KIRO mentions "now on 97-3 FM".)

http://www.smgradio.com/core/audio/mp3/live.pls?service=vrbb (MP3 Stream)

There's something about the British corporate mindset (and especially Richard Branson's) that if you put your corporate name on anything, it will sell. Virgin has been everything from a record company to an airline and a successful UK radio network to even a cola (the cola didn't do too well stateside, tasted a LOT like Shasta's.)

But is Seattle ready for the latest licensed product of Mr. Branson? Since Seattle, in spite of Microsoft and Starbucks, has been more or less like a kinder, gentler Eugene when it comes to corporate merchandising and branding.

Your take?

 

[TimmyWA]

There's something about the British corporate mindset (and especially Richard Branson's) that if you put your corporate name on anything, it will sell. Virgin has been everything from a record company to an airline and a successful UK radio network to even a cola (the cola didn't do too well stateside, tasted a LOT like Shasta's.)

Not to mention pay-as-you-go wireless phones...

 

[Dan Sys]

Keep your ears on Vancouver's CKZZ 95.3 (the ex-ZED 95.3, now 95 CRAVE FM). Local rumours & gossip have them flipping to VIRGIN RADIO sometime in the near future.

 

[SeattleObserver]

I don't know if Astral would throw away a brand they just started building... I have friends in Vancouver. One was pretty irked about how "Z(ed) 95.3" just up and changed one day - no mention or anything on air.

I do think the Virgin Radio brand is fun and could work in Vancouver, Jack is MUCH BETTER there than in Seattle... but I digress

Bongwater, it must be nice to listen to 'couver stations all the time. What do you think of Radio 2? (I could start a new thread)

I don't see anyone in Seattle paying for licensing fees for a new brand. Why would "Star" change? Why would "Kiss" change? That brand is well established in locals minds. Why would "Movin" pay to have a new brand from the UK that people are less familiar with than one they've constructed for 2 years now?

 

[Bongwater]

I don't know if Astral would throw away a brand they just started building... I have friends in Vancouver. One was pretty irked about how "Z(ed) 95.3" just up and changed one day - no mention or anything on air.

I do think the Virgin Radio brand is fun and could work in Vancouver, Jack is MUCH BETTER there than in Seattle... but I digress

Bongwater, it must be nice to listen to 'couver stations all the time. What do you think of Radio 2? (I could start a new thread)

I don't see anyone in Seattle paying for licensing fees for a new brand. Why would "Star" change? Why would "Kiss" change? That brand is well established in locals minds. Why would "Movin" pay to have a new brand from the UK that people are less familiar with than one they've constructed for 2 years now?

Ahh...forgot 'bout those pay as you go phones, TV/movie ventures, designer clothing, wine, record stores - what next?; Virgin TV Dinners? Talk about your diversified portfolios!

The new afternoon sound of CBC Radio 2 isn't bad really, kind of a more eclectic and uniquely Canadian KEXP. But Radio 2's classical stalwarts aren't letting this go. Some have put up bigger antennae or gone online to get KING-FM (KING-FM I KNOW is benefitting from this GREATLY.) I think some FM cable systems up there also carry KING-FM.

You may get a better signal from Radio 2 on 92.1 out of Victoria. That signal goes as far south as Fremont.

I also heard a rumor about 95.3 going Virgin. Crave is a moniker that really hasn't caught on and I think Virgin might be more popular there.