Capital Xtra

Capital XTRA traces its roots back to March 31, 1990, when it launched as Choice FM. This station holds the distinction of being one of London's longest-running pirate stations that successfully transitioned into a legal broadcaster. For over two decades, it built a loyal following by playing the raw sounds of grime, hip hop, and UK garage before rebranding in 2010 to become Capital XTRA. The change aligned it with the wider Capital network while keeping its unique identity focused on black British culture and street music.

The station currently broadcasts from Leicester Square in central London, placing it right in the middle of the UK's entertainment district. Listeners tune in via FM frequencies 96.9 and 107.1 within Greater London, or stream nationally through DAB digital radio and the Global Player app. By February 2026, RAJAR data showed the brand reaching 1.9 million listeners weekly, proving its status as the leading destination for urban music in the country.

Beyond traditional broadcasting, Capital XTRA has expanded into major live events and digital content creation. The team organizes the Fully Reloaded Weekend series and hosts large-scale gatherings like Black On The Square at Trafalgar Square. Their YouTube channel boasts over 382,000 subscribers and more than 142 million views, featuring exclusive artist interviews and behind-the-scenes footage that keeps younger audiences engaged. [edit]