BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra is broadcast only on digital platforms. It is transmitted on
DAB Digital Radio and on digital television through
satellite services, such as
Sky and
Freesat,
cable operators, such as
Virgin Media,
DTT services via
Freeview, and on
IPTV. The service is also available online through the
BBC website, the
BBC Sounds service and the
Radioplayer service part owned by the BBC. The BBC Sounds platform also re-broadcasts programmes for catch-up after original broadcast. Due to rights restrictions, some programmes are
restricted to UK audiences or are not available on the BBC's online services. The broadcasts themselves are live and uninterrupted except when updates are given by commentators to listeners on Radio 5 Live, as opposed to sports coverage on Radio 5 Live which has interruptions for other sports updates and regular news bulletins. During Sports Extra's downtime, the station does not simulcast any other broadcast although a label for Sports Extra is continuously radiated on the DAB multiplex to allow those tuning their radio to store the station to their device even if it is not on air. On digital TV platforms, where Sports Extra has its own dedicated full-time stream, not sharing feed capacity with any other services, a looping promotional
barker is played if no live programming is scheduled; the
EPG information during this reel will often give details of the next live event to be covered by the station, should this information be available. The Sports Extra internet stream, which used to go off air when live content was not running, now also broadcasts the promo loop. The station's controller is Jonathan Wall, who is also responsible for 5 Live and is answerable to the
BBC North and BBC Audio & Music departments. The station operates from Quay House in
MediaCityUK on a single floor alongside 5 Live. Although 5 Sports Extra uses no studio space, the teams required to organise the match coverage are shared with 5 Live. The move to
Salford took two months, and occurred alongside 5 Live, in a bid to create a northern media hub and to outsource major production from London. Previously, 5 Sports Extra had been located alongside 5 Live in
BBC Television Centre and spread over several floors. Any live sports programmes, only broadcast on the BBC Sport Web Site and BBC Sport App are not available to listen to again on BBC Sounds. This is the case when you see the words Only programmes broadcast on the BBC radio stations, including BBC 5 Sports Extra, are available to listen to again. This differs from the iPlayer Red Button, which is available to watch again, even if it is not broadcast on a television channel. ==Programming==