BBC Radio 5 Live
The Voice of the UK
Listen live to BBC Radio 5 Live online for breaking news, live sport, football commentary, phone-ins, interviews, debate and UK talk radio from the BBC.
About BBC Radio 5 Live
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Frequencies & locations:
- DAB – Available nationally on DAB Digital Radio across the UK.
- Medium Wave – Available on 693 and 909 kHz AM in many parts of the UK, with 990 kHz used in parts of west Wales.
- Freeview – Available on Freeview channel 705.
- Sky – Available on Sky channel 0105 in the UK.
- Virgin Media – Available on Virgin Media channel 905.
- BBC Sounds – Available through BBC Sounds as BBC Radio 5 Live.
- Online – Listen live online through Radio Player UK.
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC’s national station for live news, sport, interviews, phone-ins and real-time conversation. It is built around immediacy: breaking stories, live reaction, political developments, major sporting moments and callers from across the UK. Where Radio 4 often sounds formal and measured, 5 Live is faster, more direct and more plugged into what people are saying right now.
The station’s biggest strength is the mix of journalism and sport. BBC Radio 5 Live covers football, boxing, Formula 1, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics and major tournaments alongside UK news, business, politics, health, culture and everyday stories. Live commentary, rolling updates and post-match reaction make it a key station for sports listeners, while its phone-ins and interviews keep the schedule rooted in public opinion rather than studio chatter alone.
BBC Radio 5 Live broadcasts from MediaCityUK in Salford and has become one of the BBC’s most distinctive national speech services. Since launching in the 1990s, it has built a reputation for being close to the national conversation, especially during elections, breaking news, major football nights, big sporting finals and moments when listeners want both information and reaction.
Notable shows & presenters are:
- Rachel Burden: Presenter of 5 Live Breakfast, covering the day’s biggest news and sport with interviews, updates, listener stories and morning reaction.
- Rick Edwards: 5 Live Breakfast presenter known for accessible conversation, live interviews, news reaction and bringing personality to the morning schedule.
- Nicky Campbell: Long-running 5 Live presenter known for his mid-morning phone-in, where callers debate major news stories, social issues and the day’s talking points.
- Clare McDonnell: Presenter of 5 Live Drive, bringing together the day’s top news, live interviews, sport updates and developing stories for the early evening audience.
- Chris Warburton: Presenter on 5 Live Drive, combining news, sport, interviews and live reaction during one of the station’s key weekday programmes.
- Tony Livesey: Late-night 5 Live presenter known for conversation, interviews and a more reflective take on the day’s events.
- Mark Chapman: One of 5 Live Sport’s best-known presenters, strongly associated with football coverage, live sport, match reaction and major sporting events.
- Eleanor Oldroyd: Experienced BBC sports broadcaster connected with 5 Live’s live sport coverage, interviews and major event broadcasting.
- Darren Fletcher: Football commentator associated with 5 Live’s live football coverage, including major matches, Premier League fixtures and tournament nights.
- 5 Live Sport: The station’s flagship sports strand, covering live football commentary, match build-up, analysis, interviews, reaction and major sporting events.
Contact Information
Official website:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive
Studio:
+44 808 590 9693
Postal address:
BBC Radio 5 Live
Quay House
MediaCityUK
Salford
M50 2QH
United Kingdom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbc5live/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbc5live/
X / Twitter: https://x.com/bbc5live
BBC Radio 5 Live FAQ
What is BBC Radio 5 Live?
BBC Radio 5 Live is a national BBC speech radio station focused on live news, sport, football commentary, phone-ins, interviews, debate and topical conversation.
Can I listen to BBC Radio 5 Live live online?
Yes. You can listen to BBC Radio 5 Live live online through Radio Player UK using the player on this page.
What does BBC Radio 5 Live cover?
BBC Radio 5 Live covers breaking news, UK politics, live sport, football commentary, phone-ins, interviews, current affairs, business, health, culture and major national stories.
Is BBC Radio 5 Live available on DAB?
Yes. BBC Radio 5 Live is available nationally on DAB Digital Radio in the UK, as well as on AM, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BBC Sounds and online.
Who are some BBC Radio 5 Live presenters?
BBC Radio 5 Live presenters and programmes include Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards on 5 Live Breakfast, Nicky Campbell, Clare McDonnell, Chris Warburton, Tony Livesey, Mark Chapman and 5 Live Sport.