new virgin breakfast show - Radio

andy01 · 23-12-2005, 22:51

so we know that christian o connell is the new presenter of the breakfast show on virgin. does anyone know the type of person he is. when i see that pic of him on virgin website he reminds me of johnny vaughn. is he funny like chris moyles? is he a good replacement for pete and geoff?

djzj · 24-12-2005, 12:21

Just read his message on the sight and the guy sounds really funny. There is no female on his team though...how is that going to work?

Inkblot · 24-12-2005, 12:27

He didn't have a female co-presenter at Xfm. His presenting style isn't exactly laddish, he seemed to get on with female listeners at Xfm. His sense of humour was mainly about how useless his (male) team were but he talked about his wife and daughter too. I would describe his style as inclusive which would probably annoy the anti-PC police but I just mean he didn't only appeal to blokes or twentysomethings, he came across as interested in the whole audience.

cafemambo2 · 24-12-2005, 13:03

I wont be listening cant stand station with loads of adverts.

Texmex · 24-12-2005, 14:12

Christian has radio in his blood, and is innovative and talented. So even if it's not your thing, and it's not mine, you have to respect his skill as an entertainer.

Those who have not heard him outside London are in for a real treat.

4-4-2 · 24-12-2005, 14:27

Ben Jones has been saying that today was the last EVER Album Chart meaning that there won't be another one in the new year.

How pathetic. They have always been going on about how albums are better and more reflective of what people buy than singles so they ditch it in favour of....

I bet it's more boring "the music we all love" James Blunt, David Bowie love-in. At least the Album Chart had a bit more variety and played music they wouldn't normally during the day time.

Martin Phillp · 24-12-2005, 14:32

I wonder what will replace Razor Cuts?

As for Breakfast, it will be interesting if Christian can make his format work with a mainstream audience?

bedlinen · 24-12-2005, 15:03

Is he married?
I heard that he chases anything with a pulse!

iain_smith · 24-12-2005, 15:32

Christian Oconnell is the 2nd most talented dj in the country after the mighty Moyles.The boss of radio one will never forgive himself for not signing him up.Moyles is planning a major revamp of his breakfast show in january to fend off the fierce competition from Virgins new breakfast show.Moyles and radio one are in for a tough fight!
PS he is married with at least one child

4-4-2 · 24-12-2005, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Phillp

I wonder what will replace Razor Cuts?

As for Breakfast, it will be interesting if Christian can make his format work with a mainstream audience?

I would whack The Edge in at a decent time between 7:00pm-10:00pm on a Sunday night. But they won't.

Martin Phillp · 24-12-2005, 17:29

It would be a shame if they replace Razor Cuts with a generic playlisted show, but don't slag off the presenter if they get the gig. Blame the PD and head of music for the playlist!

djzj · 27-12-2005, 14:45

Does anyone know where I can get audio of Christian O’Connell’s breakfast show on Xfm please?

atkins · 28-12-2005, 11:35

Why on earth is Christian O' Connell joining this awful station.

mj_32510 · 28-12-2005, 11:43

probably because he wants to broadcast to the whole nation and not just to London, plus im sure they are paying well.

Inkblot · 28-12-2005, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj_32510

probably because he wants to broadcast to the whole nation and not just to London, plus im sure they are paying well.

Out of interest (because I haven't listened to Virgin much for years), isn't Virgin's FM outlet meant to be a local station for London rather than a relay of the national station?

Westward · 28-12-2005, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inkblot

Out of interest (because I haven't listened to Virgin much for years), isn't Virgin's FM outlet meant to be a local station for London rather than a relay of the national station?

According to this they are supposed to provide local news at peaktimes plus other London information throughout the schedule.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radio...ts/al173-1.doc

I think at the time of award Virgin were campaigning for a national FM licence (105-108 was about to be released for broadcasting). The RA decided to use the spectrum for local and regional stations instead but gave them this frequency as a consolation prize.

Inkblot · 28-12-2005, 12:22

According to that they have a commitment to "at least 21 hrs [per day] locally produced/presented" programmes. Presumably locally presented programmes include programmes that are also broadcast on the national station.

atkins · 28-12-2005, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by mj_32510

probably because he wants to broadcast to the whole nation and not just to London, plus im sure they are paying well.

That would have made sense a couple of years ago.
But XFM can be heard throughout most of the country on
DAB now.

Inkblot · 28-12-2005, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by atkins

That would have made sense a couple of years ago.
But XFM can be heard throughout most of the country on
DAB now.

That was why I asked the question about Virgin's local content. Because one might wonder whether O'Connell had been expecting to get "all" the Xfm breakfast shows as the new local/regional Xfms launch on FM.

lucky spencer · 28-12-2005, 12:56

O connell should have got all the xfm breakfast shows. He was top class on XFM. I won't listen to him on Virgin. 'Rock' music on AM doesn't sound all that good and Virgin play too many songs for him to be able to present a decent show. Is Virgin still 10 songs an hour? Plus the news and ads surely cannot allow Christian to have long links between the songs. How long is his contract to Virgin?

Martin Phillp · 28-12-2005, 14:40

I wonder how long Christian gets fed up of playing James Blunt and Daniel Powter?

ejim03 · 28-12-2005, 15:15

10 Great Songs in a Row? We wish.

I listened to him a few times, but was much more in to Pete and Geoff. I think Russ was good as a stand in for them, but wonder how he'll go down when Christian is on holiday?

Virgin on FM used to have an opt-out for some London programming, I'd love it if they had that now, but it's probably too risky.

It's like commercial radio is afraid of doing anything different in case it loses just a few listeners.

Martin Phillp · 28-12-2005, 15:58

There was one local show on between 6.45-7.30pm on 105.8 with Paul Coyte, which had live guests and a whats on guide in London.

28-12-2005, 18:21

Whenever I heard O'Connell on XFM, which was only when Pete & Geoff were on holiday, I personally found him lacking in every respect with regards to humorous, incisive comment; insipid in fact.

I'd go as far as to say he's like a late-20-something morph-spawn of Penk and Tog with his wanky 'ooh let's phone up a porn chat line' borefest and other such tedious 'features' coupled with his predictably bland reactions to the listeners' texts and feedback.

In a bizarre flipside experience, XFM's playlist made me persist with O'Connell's show whereas the only thing that kept me listening to Virgin's breakfast show was Geoff Lloyd's surreal and hilarious commentary on contemporary life. Their podcast which stripped out Virgin's appalling music selection was the making of the P&G show - a shame it never lasted. Now Gervais is reaping the ultimate rewards from this format.

Of all the XFM breakfast presenters, Shaun Keaveney's stand-ins were head and shoulders above the rest.

Now, unfortunately, XFM is allowing far more 'Virgin playlist crossover' than should legally be allowed and the Venn diagram looks increasingly distressing. KT Tunstall FFS?! on XFM?! she should be strictly confined to Radio 2 - the breakfast radio landscape is a bleak choice indeed.

O'Connell will probably sit well with the people who love the Virgin playlist, whereas I need something with at least some bite in the morning. Laverne doesn't do it for me, but at least I can wake in the knowledge I'll hear Maximo Park as opposed to Van Morrison.

Let's just hope the new XFM Manchester breakfast show comes up with the goods, or I may as well start the day with Radio 4 and a razor-blade pressed into my wrists.

Mr Pringle · 28-12-2005, 19:08

O'Connell.. won't be listening on Virgin. Anyone see him on Eggheads? Came across as totally, utterly up himself.

23-12-2005, 22:51	#1
andy01 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 447	new virgin breakfast show so we know that christian o connell is the new presenter of the breakfast show on virgin. does anyone know the type of person he is. when i see that pic of him on virgin website he reminds me of johnny vaughn. is he funny like chris moyles? is he a good replacement for pete and geoff?

24-12-2005, 12:21	#2
djzj Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 189	Just read his message on the sight and the guy sounds really funny. There is no female on his team though...how is that going to work?

24-12-2005, 12:27	#3
Inkblot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West London Services: Sky+; ADSL; Apples'n'iPears Posts: 13,256	He didn't have a female co-presenter at Xfm. His presenting style isn't exactly laddish, he seemed to get on with female listeners at Xfm. His sense of humour was mainly about how useless his (male) team were but he talked about his wife and daughter too. I would describe his style as inclusive which would probably annoy the anti-PC police but I just mean he didn't only appeal to blokes or twentysomethings, he came across as interested in the whole audience.

24-12-2005, 13:03	#4
cafemambo2 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 464	I wont be listening cant stand station with loads of adverts.

24-12-2005, 14:12	#5
Texmex Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Croydon, Surrey Posts: 155	Christian has radio in his blood, and is innovative and talented. So even if it's not your thing, and it's not mine, you have to respect his skill as an entertainer. Those who have not heard him outside London are in for a real treat.

24-12-2005, 14:27	#6
4-4-2 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Services: Freeview; Virgin Broadband; DAB Radio. Posts: 2,343	Ben Jones has been saying that today was the last EVER Album Chart meaning that there won't be another one in the new year. How pathetic. They have always been going on about how albums are better and more reflective of what people buy than singles so they ditch it in favour of.... I bet it's more boring "the music we all love" James Blunt, David Bowie love-in. At least the Album Chart had a bit more variety and played music they wouldn't normally during the day time.

24-12-2005, 14:32	#7
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	I wonder what will replace Razor Cuts? As for Breakfast, it will be interesting if Christian can make his format work with a mainstream audience?

24-12-2005, 15:03	#8
bedlinen Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 151	Is he married? I heard that he chases anything with a pulse!

24-12-2005, 15:32	#9
iain_smith Banned User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,101	Christian Oconnell is the 2nd most talented dj in the country after the mighty Moyles.The boss of radio one will never forgive himself for not signing him up.Moyles is planning a major revamp of his breakfast show in january to fend off the fierce competition from Virgins new breakfast show.Moyles and radio one are in for a tough fight! PS he is married with at least one child

24-12-2005, 17:29	#11
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	It would be a shame if they replace Razor Cuts with a generic playlisted show, but don't slag off the presenter if they get the gig. Blame the PD and head of music for the playlist!

27-12-2005, 14:45	#12
djzj Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 189	Does anyone know where I can get audio of Christian O’Connell’s breakfast show on Xfm please?

28-12-2005, 11:35	#13
atkins Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 996	Why on earth is Christian O' Connell joining this awful station.

28-12-2005, 11:43	#14
mj_32510 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brighton Services: Vigin Media-TV , Phone & Broadband, DAB, Xbox 360, Wii Posts: 694	probably because he wants to broadcast to the whole nation and not just to London, plus im sure they are paying well.

28-12-2005, 12:22	#17
Inkblot Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: West London Services: Sky+; ADSL; Apples'n'iPears Posts: 13,256	According to that they have a commitment to "at least 21 hrs [per day] locally produced/presented" programmes. Presumably locally presented programmes include programmes that are also broadcast on the national station.

28-12-2005, 12:56	#20
lucky spencer Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Redditch Posts: 154	O connell should have got all the xfm breakfast shows. He was top class on XFM. I won't listen to him on Virgin. 'Rock' music on AM doesn't sound all that good and Virgin play too many songs for him to be able to present a decent show. Is Virgin still 10 songs an hour? Plus the news and ads surely cannot allow Christian to have long links between the songs. How long is his contract to Virgin?

28-12-2005, 14:40	#21
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	I wonder how long Christian gets fed up of playing James Blunt and Daniel Powter?

28-12-2005, 15:15	#22
ejim03 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Services: Oscillating fan Posts: 2,754	10 Great Songs in a Row? We wish. I listened to him a few times, but was much more in to Pete and Geoff. I think Russ was good as a stand in for them, but wonder how he'll go down when Christian is on holiday? Virgin on FM used to have an opt-out for some London programming, I'd love it if they had that now, but it's probably too risky. It's like commercial radio is afraid of doing anything different in case it loses just a few listeners.

28-12-2005, 15:58	#23
Martin Phillp Inactive Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London Services: Freeview (Sharp TU-R160H) and DAB Posts: 11,421	There was one local show on between 6.45-7.30pm on 105.8 with Paul Coyte, which had live guests and a whats on guide in London.

28-12-2005, 18:21	#24
UNcabled Posts: n/a	Whenever I heard O'Connell on XFM, which was only when Pete & Geoff were on holiday, I personally found him lacking in every respect with regards to humorous, incisive comment; insipid in fact. I'd go as far as to say he's like a late-20-something morph-spawn of Penk and Tog with his wanky 'ooh let's phone up a porn chat line' borefest and other such tedious 'features' coupled with his predictably bland reactions to the listeners' texts and feedback. In a bizarre flipside experience, XFM's playlist made me persist with O'Connell's show whereas the only thing that kept me listening to Virgin's breakfast show was Geoff Lloyd's surreal and hilarious commentary on contemporary life. Their podcast which stripped out Virgin's appalling music selection was the making of the P&G show - a shame it never lasted. Now Gervais is reaping the ultimate rewards from this format. Of all the XFM breakfast presenters, Shaun Keaveney's stand-ins were head and shoulders above the rest. Now, unfortunately, XFM is allowing far more 'Virgin playlist crossover' than should legally be allowed and the Venn diagram looks increasingly distressing. KT Tunstall FFS?! on XFM?! she should be strictly confined to Radio 2 - the breakfast radio landscape is a bleak choice indeed. O'Connell will probably sit well with the people who love the Virgin playlist, whereas I need something with at least some bite in the morning. Laverne doesn't do it for me, but at least I can wake in the knowledge I'll hear Maximo Park as opposed to Van Morrison. Let's just hope the new XFM Manchester breakfast show comes up with the goods, or I may as well start the day with Radio 4 and a razor-blade pressed into my wrists.

28-12-2005, 19:08	#25
Mr Pringle Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Gender: Male Location: Greenwich Posts: 4,386	O'Connell.. won't be listening on Virgin. Anyone see him on Eggheads? Came across as totally, utterly up himself.