BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 4 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—04/01/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Andrew Michael Hurley
  
  Andrew Michael Hurley discusses his novel Saltwash and its connection to three books.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—04/01/2026
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—04/01/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—Christ Church Calgary in Alberta, Canada
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from Christ Church Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—The Year in Review: Benefits & Access to Work
  
  In Touch discusses the events of this year in the world of visual impairment.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—04/01/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Heart and Soul—The Lord and Dance: Michael Flatley
  
  Irish dancer Michael Flatley reveals the role of faith in his life.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—Fekky: from Hood2Farm
  
  Theo Whyte meets the rapper Fekky at his farm in Cambridgeshire.
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—04/01/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—Venezuela latest, David Lammy on his faith, Gospel 'legend' Richard Smallwood dies
  
  A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Emily Buchanan.
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Practical Action
  
  Krishnan Guru-Murthy makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Practical Action.
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—04/01/2026
  
  The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Tyndale's Testament
  
  Sunday Worship marks the 500th anniversary of Tyndale's translation of the New Testament.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Robert Ripley and the ‘Believe It or Not’ empire
  
  During the Great Depression, cartoonist Robert Ripley made millions from freaky facts
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Tolga Aktas on the Jackdaw
  
  Conservation biologist Tolga Aktas shares his fascination with watching jackdaws.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—President Nicolás Maduro in detention in the US
  
  Venezuela's President Maduro in detention centre in the US: the latest and reaction.
14. 10:00
  
  Desert Island Discs—Sally Mann, photographer and writer
  
  Sally Mann, photographer and writer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—04/01/2026
  
  Hell is unleashed at the Horrobins and George goes on the rampage
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Zohran Mamdani
  
  The new mayor of New York and at just 34, the youngest since 1892.
2. 12:30
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 32, 2. Jane Austen, Berries, The Netherlands and School
  
  2/6 Comedians try to smuggle truths past opponents in David Mitchell's comedy panel game.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—America and a Presidency redrawn
  
  President Trump turns to intervention as US forces remove Venezuela's Head of State.
5. 13:30
  
  Currently—Highways to Hell
  
  Alex Forsyth on traffic jam Britain and why roadworks now disrupt our lives so often.
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—Postbag Edition: Sefton Park Palm House
  
  Kathy Clugston and the GQT team venture to the Sefton Park Palm House in Liverpool.
7. 14:45
  
  Opening Lines—The Last of the Mohicans - Episode Two
  
  John Yorke on James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans.
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—The Last of the Mohicans, Episode 2
  
  2/2 American classic boldly refreshed - adventures in love and war
9. 16:00
  
  Bookclub—Rónán Hession
  
  Rónán Hession takes questions on his debut novel, Leonard and Hungry Paul.
10. 16:30
  
  Counterpoint—Series 39, Heat 1, 2026
  
  1/13 The general knowledge music quiz chaired by Paul Gambaccini
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—Wallander and the rise of Nordic Noir
  
  First published in 1991, Henning Mankell's novels changed the world of crime fiction
12. 17:10
  
  What Happened to Progress?—Forward Thinking
  
  From technology to the climate to the global order, has human progress gone into reverse?
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—04/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Rubio: America "not at war" with Venezuela
  
  Trump administration says Venezuela's remaining leaders must "make the right decisions"
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Katie Thistleton
  
  Katie Thistleton presents a selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—04/01/2026
  
  The residents reel from the events of New Year.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Dark Crossing
  
  A cross-Atlantic journey turns into a gripping psychological thriller.
5. 19:45
  
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Drink Water
  
  How a simple glass of water with every meal could boost your brainpower and energy levels.
6. 20:00
  
  Great Lives—Helen Carr picks Christine de Pizan at the Gloucester history festival
  
  Famous guests picks someone who has inspired their lives.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Brigitte Bardot, Sir Alec Reed, Alwyn Crawshaw, Dame Shân Legge-Bourke
  
  Jon Kay on an actor, a businessman, an artist, a landowner
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—Making Tax Digital and Savings Rates
  
  The big change coming for small traders and landlords in April.
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Practical Action
  
  Krishnan Guru-Murthy makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Practical Action.
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Syria: Rebuilding a life amid the ruins
  
  In the ruins of the district of Ghouta a man starts to rebuild his home - and his life.
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—Looking at the year ahead in politics
  
  Reaction to events in Venezuela, the UK relationship with the EU and rebuilding Parliament
12. 23:00
  
  Archive on 4—Gareth Gwynn Hasn't Fin-
  
  Comedy writer Gareth Gwynn explores our shared fascination with all things unfinished.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—05/01/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—When Christian nationalists come to town
  
  People in Gainesboro, Tennessee have some new neighbours - and not everyone is happy.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—Christ Church Calgary in Alberta, Canada
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from Christ Church Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—05/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—05/01/2026
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—05/01/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—Brigitte Bardot, Sir Alec Reed, Alwyn Crawshaw, Dame Shân Legge-Bourke
  
  Jon Kay on an actor, a businessman, an artist, a landowner
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—05/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Just to say...
  
  Radio 4’s daily prayer and reflection, with Bishop Mary Stallard.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—05/01/26 Growing resilience and transforming our farming system, raw milk vending
  
  We preview the Oxford farming conferences on this week.
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—05/01/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 5 January 2026