In 1997, Richard Branson sold Virgin Radio to the Scottish media group, SMG. The deal was worth around £225 million, making it one of the largest radio station acquisitions in the UK at the time.

SMG, which stands for Scottish Media Group, was a major player in the media industry in the UK, owning a number of television and radio stations. The purchase of Virgin Radio from Richard Branson was seen as a strategic move to expand their portfolio and reach a wider audience.

Under SMG's ownership, Virgin Radio continued to be a popular and successful station, attracting a loyal following of listeners. The station was known for its eclectic mix of music and its innovative programming, which set it apart from other radio stations in the UK.

However, SMG's ownership of Virgin Radio was not without controversy. In 2008, the station was rebranded as Absolute Radio following a dispute over the use of the Virgin brand. Despite the rebranding, Absolute Radio continued to be a popular station, maintaining a strong presence in the UK radio market.

If you want to learn more about the history of Virgin Radio and its sale to SMG in 1997, you can check out this article from The Guardian. It provides a detailed overview of the sale and the subsequent rebranding of the station.

Overall, the sale of Virgin Radio from Richard Branson to SMG in 1997 marked a significant moment in the history of the UK radio industry. The acquisition by SMG helped to solidify their position as a major player in the media landscape and paved the way for the successful rebranding of the station as Absolute Radio.

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