The station was launched to broadcast the live coverage of the Premier League Games under the Rock n Roll Football brand, also broadcast on the main Absolute station and Absolute Radio 90s.

The station also used to broadcast live and pre-recorded uninterrupted sets from artists and bands under the Absolute Radio Live brand, In 2010 the station broadcast live sets from festivals such as V Festival.

Also comedy sets are broadcast by Frank Skinner and Dave Gorman.

When off air on DAB, 'Absolute R Extra' pointed listeners to Absolute Radio 90s.

Absolute Radio Extra is available on Saturday afternoons on Absolute Radio's AM Frequencies between 1.30 and 6.30[citation needed] In a number of areas, particularly in areas where the signal from the main 1215 transmitters overlap with each other,[citation needed] Absolute Radio Extra operates a number of filler transmitters on different frequencies :- The sister station Absolute Radio 90s simulcasts on Absolute Radio Extra's frequencies, when the station is off air.