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Monday, June 2, 2008

Virgin Radio sold to India media company – but not the "Virgin" name

VirginRadioIt's the first major buy for any India media group beyond their national borders. Indian media company Bennett Coleman & Company (BCCL) subsidiary TIML, which owns the Times of India newspaper, is acquiring Virgin Radio from Scotland's SMG for $106 million. One thing the buyers will not get for all that money is the "Virgin" name, whose rights are still owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group. BCCL has use of the Virgin brand for 90 days, and then must give up the name. However, the new owners plan on continuing "its commitment to cutting-edge rock" according to the Times of India. BCCL is the largest private broadcaster in India, while Virgin Radio has an estimated 2.7 million listeners in the UK.

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