BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 22 March 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—22/03/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Susan Choi
  
  On her Booker-shortlisted novel, Flashlight, and its links to three other literary works.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—22/03/2026
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—22/03/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of Saints Peter and Paul Lavenham, Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Peter and Paul Lavenham, Suffolk.
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—The 50th Winter Paralympic Games
  
  In Touch wraps up the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—22/03/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Heart and Soul—The Divine Gift of Sex
  
  Sex and faith are intertwined, sex therapist Dr Rica Cruz explains why.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—Dumpies, ducks and dentures
  
  Nancy Nicolson meets Paul Rowlston who unites making dentures with life as a crofter.
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—22/03/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—The enthronement of Archbishop Sarah Mullally at Canterbury Cathedral
  
  A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Comic Relief
  
  Broadcaster Helen Skelton makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Comic Relief
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—22/03/2026
  
  The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—A Journey Through Lent - Cleansed and made new
  
  A service for the Fifth Sunday of Lent from Manchester Cathedral.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Paul Keating's Redfern speech
  
  In 1992, Australia's prime minister addressed atrocities inflicted upon Indigenous people.
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Mike Dilger on the Cetti's Warbler
  
  Naturalist Mike Dilger remembers a summer spent surveying the Cetti's warbler 30 years ago
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—Israeli military warns that Tehran could target London
  
  Week four of the war: The US gives Iran 48 hours to open up the Strait of Hormuz.
14. 10:00
  
  Desert Island Discs—Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer
  
  Sara Pascoe, comedian and writer, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—22/03/2026
  
  Tom and Helen are worried about Tony.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Ed Miliband
  
  The former Labour leader’s journey from bacon sandwich to energy secretary.
2. 12:30
  
  Unspeakable—Series 3, 1. Skedaddling Squirrels
  
  1/6 Suspicious squirrels, egosurfing, and strategic skedaddling.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—Are we in a global conflict?
  
  James Naughtie examines the interconnected nature of the Iran and Ukraine wars
5. 13:30
  
  Profile—Benjamin Netanyahu
  
  Israel’s longest serving prime minister.
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—From the Archives: Water
  
  The team look back through the archives for solutions to water-based gardening challenges.
7. 14:45
  
  Opening Lines—Flight - Episode One
  
  John Yorke on a fascinating insight into Black American history: Flight, by Walter White.
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Flight: Part 1
  
  A music-fuelled adaptation of Walter White’s novel by Adura Onashile.
9. 16:00
  
  Take Four Books—Jan Carson
  
  The Northern Irish writer on her new novel and the three influences behind it.
10. 16:30
  
  Counterpoint—Series 39, Semi-final 3, 2026
  
  12/13 The general knowledge music quiz chaired by Paul Gambaccini
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—Breaking the sound barrier
  
  In 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first pilot to fly faster than the speed of sound.
12. 17:10
  
  Understand—An American Journey, 2. A More Perfect Union
  
  2/4 What does it mean to be an American?
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—22/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Iran threatens to completely shut off Strait of Hormuz
  
  Iran says it will close the shipping route if the US targets Iranian power plants.
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Sean Cooney
  
  Sean Cooney presents a weekly selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—22/03/2026
  
  Josh drops a bombshell.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Outpatient
  
  In 2018, Harriet Madeley found out she was going to die. Then again, aren't we all?
5. 19:45
  
  Lent Talks—Power and Wealth
  
  A series of personal reflections on power.
6. 20:00
  
  Feedback—Inside Health, Radio 4 Extra, and Jeremy Bowen on Today.
  
  Andrea Catherwood hears your views on a recent episode of Inside Health.
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Yanar Mohammed, MP Phil Woolas, Professor Robin Weiss, Jane Lapotaire
  
  Matthew Bannister on a campaigner, a politician, a virologist and an actor.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—Heating Oil Guide and Banknotes
  
  How will schemes to help people struggling with the rising cost of heating oil work?
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Comic Relief
  
  Broadcaster Helen Skelton makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Comic Relief
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Iran War: A sharp escalation in the Gulf
  
  Strikes on the world's biggest gasfields prompted rebukes by Qatar and other Gulf nations
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—War and the cost of living
  
  Ben Wright and guests discuss the Iran war and its impact on the cost of living in the UK.
12. 23:00
  
  In Our Time—Dadaism
  
  How, in 1916 in Zurich, artists responded to the absurdity of war by creating absurd art.
13. 23:45
  
  Short Works—The Real Housewives of the Wife House
  
  An uncanny new comedy by Andrew Doherty, read by Ambika Mod.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—23/03/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Great Lives—Harriet Harman on Maria Callas
  
  Harriet Harman nominates opera star Maria Callas.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of Saints Peter and Paul Lavenham, Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Peter and Paul Lavenham, Suffolk.
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—23/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—23/03/2026
  
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—23/03/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—23/03/2026
  
  Peers continue their debate on the assisted dying bill.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—23/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Mirror Image: Narcissus and Echo
  
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day Fleur Dorrell.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—23/03/26 Potato oversupply, history of change in farming, new crop tech research centre
  
  Have potatoes had their chips?
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—23/03/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 23 March 2026