DAB multiplex. Virgin Radio Viva would have been an upbeat melodic station aimed at 15- to 29-year-old women. However, Virgin Radio's then-owners SMG plc subsequently withdrew from the bid portfolio, as part of a scaling-back of the Virgin Radio operation in preparation for the sale of the station assets to TIML; this also led to the closure of Virgin Radio Groove as a non-core station in the portfolio. 4 Digital Group stated that they would seek a replacement service provider to take over the vacated slot. Although 4 Digital Group won the contract from Ofcom and were licensed to operate the DAB multiplex, Channel 4 later withdrew from the proposal on financial grounds, amid concern about future funding shortfalls as digital TV switchover approached; the proposed 4 Digital multiplex and its other new stations (such as Pure4 and Closer) ultimately never launched. References Absolute Radio Digital-only radio stations