BBC Radio 5 Live is the British Broadcasting Corporation's radio service devoted to news, phone-ins, and sports commentaries.
It is transmitted via analogue radio on 693 and 909 kHz AM in the medium wave band, and on digital radio, digital satellite[?] and digital terrestrial[?] television.
The station was originally launched as BBC Radio 5 in 1988, and carried a mixture of sports, news, children's programming and drama, broadcasting for about 18 hours per day. The BBC eventually decided to relaunch the station with a new name, so the "old" Radio 5 closed down at midnight on Sunday March 27, 1994 following a special programme on the subject of endings, and the new Radio 5 Live began its 24-hour service on the morning of Monday, March 28.
Before the launch of digital broadcasting, both versions of the station broadcast for several years on analogue satellite with near-FM quality.
A companion station, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, was launched as a digital-only service in 2002.
Information required: 1: original Radio 5 launch date. 2: confirmation of Radio 5 Live Sports Extra launch date.
Live Internet transmission (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/fivelive.shtml)
