BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 7 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—07/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  The Dark Frontier by Jeffrey Marlow—Episode 3: Diving to the Bottom of the Pacific
  
  3/5 Microbiologist Professor Jeffrey Marlow explores the deep marine ocean.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—07/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—07/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—07/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  All in the Mind—Toxic work behaviours, mind blanking, and why spending time with friends makes you more yourself
  
  Facing impolite emails, tackling knowledge theft, and mind blanking.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—07/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Winning and losing
  
  Spiritual reflection with Fr Philip Blackledge of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melrose.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—07/05/26 Wool prices, bluebells, dawn chorus
  
  Wool prices, bluebells, dawn chorus.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—07/05/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  In Our Time—Joseph Roth
  
  One of the great writers on Central Europe after WW1 and author of Radetzky March.
3. 09:45
  
  Strong Message Here—Technological Republic (with Stewart Lee and Carole Cadwalladr)
  
  Why are tech companies releasing manifestos? We look at the language of the tech bro.
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—AI fitness instructors, Rosalia, Brazilian jiu jitsu
  
  The online avatars selling women unrealistic body aspirations.
5. 11:00
  
  This Cultural Life—Michael Frayn
  
  Playwright and novelist Michael Frayn reveals his formative cultural influences.
6. 11:45
  
  The Dark Frontier by Jeffrey Marlow—Episode 4: Rosebud
  
  4/5 Marine microbiologist Professor Jeffrey Marlow explores the deep ocean.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—07/05/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  Scam Secrets—The Customer Service Returns Scam
  
  You really don't want to give your data to these websites.
3. 12:32
  
  Sliced Bread—Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
  
  Do ergonomic devices like split keyboards and vertical mice help with comfort and health?
4. 12:57
  
  Weather—07/05/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  
  World at One—Deal or no deal between US and Iran?
  
  US President says agreement "very possible", key Iranian calls it "an American wish list".
6. 13:45
  
  Naturebang—African Wild Dogs and Democracy
  
  Can we take notes on democracy from a pack of sneezing wild dogs?
7. 14:00
  
  The Archers—06/05/2026
  
  Ruairi gets some food for thought.
8. 14:15
  
  Life Lines—Series 9, Episode 2
  
  2/2 Al Smith's award-winning series set in an ambulance control room.
9. 15:00
  
  Open Country—Wildlife Artists on Massingham Heath
  
  Martha Kearney meets the artists documenting the return of this ancient Norfolk grassland.
10. 15:27
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—RNID
  
  KT Tunstall makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of RNID
11. 15:30
  
  Word of Mouth—Michael Rosen and Dara Ó Briain talk about time
  
  Michael Rosen in conversation with Dara Ó Briain on how we talk about and understand time.
12. 16:00
  
  The Briefing Room—Are we still going to Mars?
  
  David Aaronovitch discusses the future of space exploration.
13. 16:30
  
  BBC Inside Science—Should Pluto become a planet again?
  
  We explore whether Pluto should regain its title as the solar system’s ninth planet
14. 17:00
  
  PM—Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor threatened near Sandringham home
  
  Police arrest a "balaclava-clad" armed man for allegedly threatening the former prince.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Two British-Chinese dual nationals have been convicted of spying for China
  
  The Security Minister is to summon the Chinese Ambassador
2. 18:30
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Geoff Norcott's Working Men's Club S2, S2 E3: Baby Daddy
  
  3/4 Geoff asks: what does it mean to be a “good dad” to a baby?
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—07/05/2026
  
  Brian fears the worst.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Reviewing The Sheep Detectives, Elizabeth Strout and Henry Moore at Kew
  
  Reviewing The Sheep Detectives, Elizabeth Strout and Henry Moore at Kew.
5. 20:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—The King's Speech
  
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel on why the King's speech to Congress was high-risk PR.
6. 20:15
  
  The Media Show—AI judging journalists, the BBC’s “Wrong Guy”, Saudi Arabia's media strategy, covering climate change
  
  AI judging journalists, the BBC’s “Wrong Guy”, Saudi media strategy, climate change.
7. 21:00
  
  Radical with Amol Rajan—The Jobs Revolution: Is AI Working for You? (Reid Hoffman)
  
  Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, on the future of work in the age of AI.
8. 21:30
  
  Life Changing—Triumph for a medical guinea pig
  
  A bike crash and medical trial transforms a ‘speed freak’.
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Voting closes in elections in England, Scotland and Wales
  
  Polls have just closed in elections in Scotland, Wales and parts of England.
10. 22:45
  
  The Prisoner by Sally Carson—Episode Nine
  
  9/10 The sequel to Sally Carson’s rediscovered masterpiece Crooked Cross.
11. 23:00
  
  Election 26
  
  Coverage of the 2026 local elections in England, plus Scottish and Welsh elections.
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Late
1. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—08/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
2. 01:00
  
  Election 26
  
  Coverage of the 2026 local elections in England, plus Scottish and Welsh elections.

Friday 8 May 2026