How To Listen - Radio 4 Extra
- How To Listen to BBC Radio 4 Extra
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In the UK you can listen to Radio 4 Extra in many ways: on a digital (DAB); on digital television; online through a computer; on a mobile phone; on an MP3 player.
Radio 4 Extra can be found on the following channels, frequencies and websites:
• DAB Listed as "BBC Radio 4 Extra", "BBC R4 Extra", or "Radio 4 Extra"
• Freeview Channel 708
• Freesat Channel 708
• SkyTV Channel 0131
• Virgin Channel 910
For information on listening on these platforms - BBC Radio Help
Online
Listen live, and listen to programmes broadcast in the past seven days at Radio 4 Extra's website.
MP3 Players (iPods and other manufacturers)
Some Radio 4 Extra programmes are available as podcasts, which you can listen to on any MP3 player (more info about podcasts).
• Radio 4 Extra Podcasts (for technical questions)
Q. Why can't I listen to a programme as soon as it finishes?
Once a programme has finished broadcasting, there can be a few hours' delay before the programme is available to listen to online.
Q. The programme I want to listen to isn't available
You can listen to Radio 4 Extra programmes on programme pages on the Radio 4 Extra website. Find links to the programme pages via the Programmes or Schedule link at the top of the page.
If the audio is not available, it may be for the following reasons: programmes can take up to a few hours to be available to listen to; many programmes, such as drama or comedy are only available, for rights reasons, for 7 days after broadcast. Sometimes audio is unavailable due to high demand causing network congestion. In this case if you try again later you will often find that the programme is available.
The BBC does not control the technology that runs the internet. We cannot help with problems relating to audio, browsers, interruptions to audio streams etc.
Q. I'm having problems listening to a Radio 4 Extra programme on my computer
You can listen to Radio 4 Extra programmes on programme pages on the Radio 4 Extra website. Find links to the programme pages via the Programmes or Schedule link at the top of the page.
The BBC does not control the technology that runs the internet. We cannot help with problems relating to audio, browsers, interruptions to audio streams etc.
Q. How long are programmes available to listen to online?
Programmes are usually available for seven days after broadcast.
If a download, or podcast, is available for a programme, you can save this to your computer or mp3 player and keep forever, to listen to whenever and wherever you like. You can find out which programmes can be saved in this way on the Radio 4 Extra podcast pages.
Q. What is a podcast and how can I podcast, or download, a Radio 4 Extra programme?
A few Radio 4 Extra programmes are available to download. A download or podcast is an audio file that you can save to your computer or mp3 player. Many mobile phones also have this functionality. You can keep any programme you download on your device, to play whenever you like. You can keep these programmes permanently.
You can use iTunes or any other podcast software to manage your podcasts, or simply download individual programmes directly from the Radio 4 Extra website. Find details of how to download on the Radio 4 Extra Podcasts page
Q. Can I listen from outside the UK?
You can listen to Radio 4 Extra online anywhere in the world, but you will not be able to pick up BBC stations broadcasting on DAB very far from UK shores. They are funded by the UK licence fee and the BBC is not permitted to re-broadcast them from other countries.
Q. I'm having problems with my Radio Reception, can you help?
Visit the BBC's Reception website for comprehensive information on both radio and TV reception. Persistent problems are likely to need help from an aerial specialist.
Q. I'm having problems getting BBC 4 Extra on my digital TV, can you help?
BBC Radio 7 was re-branded as BBC Radio 4 Extra on Saturday 2nd April 2011. This changed on all digital TV platforms, including Freeview, Sky, Virgin and Freesat.
Viewers with Freeview TVs or Freesat set top boxes may still need to re-tune their TVs in order to receive these changes, help with this can be found here here. Viewers may still see BBC Radio 4 Extra listed as BBC Radio 7 until they retune.
Q. Why is Radio 4 Extra transmitted in mono on DAB?
Whilst Radio 4 Extra is transmitted in stereo on digital TV and the internet, Radio 4 Extra has to share the DAB multiplex with all the other national BBC radio stations.
The space we have allows us to broadcast in mono or stereo at 80 kbps (kilobits per second). However to broadcast in stereo would mean having to split the 80 kbps between the left and right channels. At that bit rate the quality of the transmission would be less than optimal.
In addition many of our programmes were originally made in mono.
