Broadcast area Ireland (nationwide) Sister stations RTÉ Radio 1 | Format Intelligent speech | |
Frequency DAB Radio: Mux 1
UPC Ireland: Channel 944
Saorview: Channel 201 First air date 1 December 2008 (as RTÉ Choice) Owner Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) | ||
RTÉ Radio 1 Extra is one of five digital radio channels produced by the Irish public-service broadcasting service Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ).
Initially launched on 1 December 2008 as RTÉ Choice alongside five other new digital channels – with one of which, also called RTÉ Radio 1 Extra but differently formatted (see below), it was merged in May 2013 – the channel offers a continuous service of what it describes as "quality speech from home and abroad". This is made up of programming from international English-language broadcasters such as the BBC, NPR, and a number of others, together with time-shifted elements from the schedule of RTÉ's flagship station RTÉ Radio 1, plus those variations from the main Radio 1 FM schedule (chiefly church services on Sunday mornings and extended live coverage of sporting events) which are currently broadcast on Radio 1's longwave (LW) frequency. Once Radio 1's LW service is withdrawn, these special programmes will be available only on Radio 1 Extra.
Earlier incarnation
From December 2008 until May 2013 the name RTÉ Radio 1 Extra referred to what was essentially a digital relay of the whole of RTÉ Radio 1's LW schedule (that is to say, the RTÉ Radio 1 FM schedule with variations for religious and sports programming). Until January 2013 this service was also available in the UK from the Astra 28.2°E satellite.
An official report into future broadcasting policy, published by RTÉ in January 2013, recommended the merger of RTÉ Choice and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, and this was duly effected in May 2013 with the merged channel carrying the name RTÉ Radio 1 Extra although chiefly continuing the programming content of RTÉ Choice.