Virgin Radio Pride UK is returning for its second year on June 1st to broadcast LGBTQ+ conversations and content throughout the summer.
To make way for the service on DAB+, Virgin Radio Groove UK, which increased its weekly reach by 186% in the most recent RAJAR results, will close till at least September.
Stephen Sullivan will host the new Stephen Sullivan Drag Breakfast show from 6am-10am on Saturday and Sundays, followed by Olivia Jones who joins the station to present the 10am-2pm show.
Olivia joins the regular Virgin Radio Pride UK team which includes LGBTQ+ broadcasters Phil Clifton, Debbie Ryan, Stephen Sullivan, Alex Milsom, Shivani Dave, Matt Cain, Steve Denyer, Crossy, Matt Horton, Emma Goswell and Ru Paul’s Drag Race super star, Tia Kofi.
The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky will be broadcast on Virgin Radio Pride UK at its usual time Monday to Friday at 6.30-10am.
Christian Hewgill joins the team in July, from BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat programme, to produce and present a range of LGBTQ+ sports documentaries including the road to The World Cup in Qatar for gay fans and the growth of LGBTQ+ fan groups across the football world.
Other content on the station will include the My Pride Playlist special, where a special guest each week will speak with Steve Denyer and pick their favourite Pride songs of all time, starting with British singer, songwriter and electronic music DJ, Skin.
There will also be a range of bespoke documentaries with programming this year exploring Pride in Politics, the story of Terry Higgins, LGBTQ+ life in the army, 50 years of Pride and much more.
The station will continue to work with a range of partners across its programming. Last year Virgin Radio Pride UK worked closely with The Food Chain, the charity which exists to ensure people living with HIV in London can access the nutrition they need to lead healthy, independent lives, mental health charity Shout, the UK Aids Memorial Quilt Partnership, All About Trans and The Log Books podcast.
Virgin Radio Pride UK will take over the bandwidth of Virgin Radio Groove UK, which retires to make way for it, and will broadcast alongside the Virgin Radio UK, Virgin Radio Anthems UK and Virgin Radio Chilled UK channels.
Mike Cass, Virgin Radio UK Content Director, said: “This year on Virgin Radio Pride UK we will be having more big conversations, playing more great music and celebrating the wonderful diversity across the UK. Driven by a star team of LGBTQ+ presenters, we will continue to strive to make difference to and for the LGBTQ+ community, through innovative and meaningful storytelling, backed up by the best pop-dance and pop-R&B music.”
Virgin Radio Pride UK presenter, Tia Kofi, said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Virgin Radio Pride UK this year to play non-stop Pride hits on Fridays and celebrate our wonderful community. It’s going to be lots of fun!”
Virgin Radio Pride UK presenter, Phil Clifton, said: “Virgin Radio Pride UK will soundtrack your summer with the best music, LGBTQ+ conversation and queer storytelling; helping to amplify the Pride celebrations across three months when everyone can get involved.”
2022 Virgin Radio Pride UK Schedule till August 31st
Monday-Friday
0630-1000 The Chris Evans Breakfast Show
1000-1400 Debbie Ryan (Olivia Jones covers 1st June – 17th June)
1400-1800 Alex Milsom
1800-1900 Specials
1900-2300 Monday to Thursday – Shivani Dave – Friday Tia Kofi
2300-0630 Non Stop Pride Hits
Saturday
0600-1000 Stephen Sullivan Drag Breakfast
1000-1400 Olivia Jones
1400-1800 Phil Clifton
1800-2200 Crossy
2200- 0000 Matt Horton
Sunday
0600-1000 Stephen Sullivan Drag Breakfast
1000-1400 Olivia Jones
1400-1800 Phil Clifton
1800-2200 Emma Goswell
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Posted on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 11:47 am by RadioToday Staff