The Chris Evans Virgin Radio show ditches ad breaks

The new Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio will launch on 21 January free of ad breaks, thanks to a commercial partnership with Sky.

Sky’s sponsorship will cover the investment to create branded content, competitions and events. The broadcaster said it would help give listeners the uninterrupted audio experience they have come to expect from Evans’ BBC Radio 2 show.

“So much has changed in broadcasting since I was last at Virgin Radio that now, thanks to Sky, we can do the show without ad breaks,” said Evans, who left his Radio 2 slot after eight years at the helm, and 13 years at the station. “I’m even more excited about starting in the New Year!”

Stephen van Rooyen, CEO UK & Ireland, Sky, added: “We’re excited to create an innovative radio first with Chris and Virgin Radio, and bring Sky customers even more of the entertainment they love when Virgin Radio launches across Sky.”

While at the BBC, Evans’ breakfast show regularly attracted 9m listeners – more than any other UK radio programme. He was also second highest-paid star at the BBC, earning £1.6 million per year. He announced his departure from the BBC live on air in September.

The new Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio will be available online, on mobile via the Virgin Radio app and on DAB digital radio. Virgin Radio will launch on Sky+ and Sky Q on 7 January 2019, with Evans’ ad-free show starting on 21 January.