Virgin Radio Signs Sky Sports Star
Virgin Radio has signed high-profile Sky Sports presenter Tim Lovejoy to host a star-studded magazine-style sports programme from 28th August.
Lovejoy will take to the air on Sunday afternoons, playing music and interviewing sports and showbiz celebrities from 4pm until 7pm.
The signing coincides with both the Ashes and the start of the new football season, bringing the hottest sporting news and views to the station, along with Lovejoy’s irreverent humour, star appeal and love of sport.
The signing is designed to appeal to Virgin Radio’s key national 25-44 year old audience. Exclusive interviews and topical features packages will be interspersed with tracks from Virgin’s rock and indie playlists, as well as Lovejoy’s ‘impartial’ opinions on his beloved Chelsea FC.
Virgin hopes the signing will attract new listeners to the station, capitalising on the audiences of his Soccer AM and All Sport shows.
Commenting on his appointment, the new DJ said: “Nothing gels together better than football, celebs and great music. The Sunday afternoon slot on Virgin Radio will be exactly the right place for people to tune in for all three of these, this is set to be a cracker of a show and I can’t wait to get started.”
Paul Jackson, acting chief executive at Virgin Radio added: “Our core audience are avid sports fans and will have an instant connection with Tim from their religious viewing of his TV shows. Tim’s slot will complement our firmly established Rock ‘n’ Roll Football on Saturday afternoons – it’s great to have him on board.”
Lovejoy’s Soccer AM was recently given a slap on the wrist by Ofcom over the use of product placements, after giving a brand of basketball boots editorial airtime and endorsements. The watchdog took exception to the boots being described as being worn by a quarter of NBA players, as well as references to the boots’ manufacturer, pricing and availability (see Soccer AM Has Wrist Slapped After Product Placement).
Virgin Radio: 020 7434 1215 www.virginradio.co.uk