BBC Radio 4 Extra
The Best in Comedy, Drama and Entertainment
BBC Radio 4 Extra is a UK digital radio station from the BBC, available online, on BBC Sounds, on DAB Digital Radio and across major TV and digital platforms. Known for its rich mix of archive comedy, drama and entertainment, BBC Radio 4 Extra gives listeners access to classic BBC radio programmes, much-loved sitcoms, panel shows, dramas, documentaries and spoken-word favourites from across the BBC archive.
About BBC Radio 4 Extra
Local time:
BBC Radio 4 Extra is the BBC’s archive-led national digital speech station, specialising in comedy, drama and entertainment. The station originally launched in 2002 as BBC 7, became BBC Radio 7 in 2008 and was relaunched as BBC Radio 4 Extra in 2011. Today it is widely recognised as the home of classic BBC spoken-word programming, giving listeners another chance to hear well-known shows from across the corporation’s radio archive.
Unlike music-led commercial radio stations, BBC Radio 4 Extra is built around spoken-word programming. Its schedule regularly features classic sitcoms, panel shows, literary adaptations, crime drama, science fiction, memoir, documentary and other archive productions, making it especially appealing to listeners who enjoy storytelling, character-led comedy and distinctive BBC radio heritage content.
BBC Radio 4 Extra is the sister station of BBC Radio 4 and broadcasts from Broadcasting House in London. The station is available nationally on the BBC National DAB multiplex, online through BBC Sounds, and on digital television platforms including Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. For many listeners, it is one of the easiest ways to discover older BBC radio classics as well as repeat runs of more recent spoken-word favourites.
BBC Radio 4 Extra is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy British comedy, radio drama, crime serials, literary adaptations, quiz and panel shows, nostalgia radio, and archive entertainment. It is particularly strong for people looking for intelligent speech radio, classic BBC programmes and on-demand listening through BBC Sounds.
Notable shows & presenters are:
- Live From The UK: comedy showcase presented by Angela Barnes, featuring stand-up talent from venues around the UK.
- The Daily Service: a long-running BBC religious programme broadcast on weekday mornings from 9:45am-10:00am on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
- Whodunnits: a well-known drama strand featuring crime stories, mysteries and detective serials from the BBC archive.
- Just a Minute: classic episodes of the famous BBC radio panel show are regularly associated with the station’s comedy archive appeal.
- The Goon Show: one of the best-known archive comedy titles frequently linked with BBC Radio 4 Extra’s classic comedy output.
- Continuity announcers: voices associated with BBC Radio 4 Extra have included Wes Butters, Kathy Clugston, Jim Lee, David Miles, Debbie Russ, Neil Sleat, Alan Smith and Chris Berrow.
More radio stations on BBC Sounds, from the BBC
Contact Information
Official website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_four_extra
General audience contact / complaints:
BBC Complaints can be contacted via telephone on 03700 100 222, textphone on 03700 100 212, or by post to BBC Complaints, PO Box 1922, Darlington, DL3 0UR.
Postal address:
BBC Radio 4 Extra
Broadcasting House
Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcsounds/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BBCSounds/
X / Twitter: https://x.com/BBCRadio4Extra
The BBC Radio 4 Extra X account states that it is no longer being updated regularly.
BBC Radio 4 Extra UK FAQ
What is BBC Radio 4 Extra?
BBC Radio 4 Extra is a UK digital radio station from the BBC that specialises in archive comedy, drama and entertainment. It is the sister station of BBC Radio 4 and is known for classic spoken-word programming from the BBC archive.
How can I listen to BBC Radio 4 Extra?
You can listen to BBC Radio 4 Extra online, on BBC Sounds, on DAB Digital Radio across the UK, and on digital TV platforms including Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
What kind of programmes does BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast?
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcasts archive comedy, radio drama, literary adaptations, crime serials, documentaries, quiz shows, panel shows and other spoken-word entertainment from the BBC archive.
Is BBC Radio 4 Extra the same as BBC Radio 4?
No. BBC Radio 4 Extra is a separate digital sister station to BBC Radio 4. While Radio 4 focuses on a broad schedule of news, current affairs, factual programming, drama and documentaries, Radio 4 Extra is more archive-led and centres on repeats and classic spoken-word content.
Who are the presenters on BBC Radio 4 Extra?
BBC Radio 4 Extra is less presenter-led than many commercial radio stations because much of its output is archive programming. Voices associated with the station include continuity announcers such as Wes Butters, Kathy Clugston, Jim Lee, David Miles, Debbie Russ, Neil Sleat, Alan Smith and Chris Berrow, while individual programmes may feature different hosts and performers depending on the archive show being broadcast.
What are some popular shows on BBC Radio 4 Extra?
Popular and recognisable BBC Radio 4 Extra programme strands include archive comedy, Whodunnits, classic drama, panel shows such as Just a Minute, and long-running BBC favourites such as The Daily Service.
Is BBC Radio 4 Extra available across the UK?
Yes. BBC Radio 4 Extra is available nationally in the UK on DAB Digital Radio, online through BBC Sounds and on several digital television platforms.
Can I listen to BBC Radio 4 Extra outside the UK?
BBC access changed in July 2025, when BBC Sounds closed for listeners based outside the UK. Availability outside the UK can therefore be more limited than for UK listeners, so international access may vary depending on platform and rights restrictions.