BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Sunday 17 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—17/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Take Four Books—Amitav Ghosh
  
  The award-winning novelist on his new book, Ghost Eye, and its key literary influences.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:30
  
  News Summary—17/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
7. 05:43
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk.
8. 05:45
  
  In Touch—The RNIB's new CEO, Simon Antrobus
  
  In Touch speaks with the RNIB's new CEO, Simon Antrobus.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  News Summary—17/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 06:05
  
  Beyond Belief—One foot in the graveyard
  
  Giles Fraser explores Kensal Green Cemetery.
3. 06:35
  
  On Your Farm—The Kids That Took Over the Farm
  
  Three farmer’s children were given the chance to take over the farm.
4. 06:57
  
  Weather—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
5. 07:00
  
  News and Papers—17/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 07:10
  
  Sunday—Faith and politics; Holocaust memorial lecture; street preachers
  
  A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
7. 07:54
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Hope Support Services
  
  Comedian Ashley Storrie makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Hope Support Services.
8. 07:57
  
  Weather—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
9. 08:00
  
  News and Papers—17/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
10. 08:10
  
  Sunday Worship—Risen, ascended, glorified
  
  A service from Hoddinott Hall with the National Chorus of Wales.
11. 08:48
  
  Witness History—Creating Cluedo
  
  Blackouts during World War II helped Anthony Pratt invent the popular family board game.
12. 08:58
  
  Tweet of the Day—Isabella Tree on the Nightingale
  
  Conservationist Isabella Tree on how the decline in nightingales might be reversed.
13. 09:00
  
  Broadcasting House—17/05/2026
  
  The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell
14. 10:00
  
  Desert Island Discs—Gary O'Donoghue, journalist
  
  Gary O'Donoghue, journalist, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
15. 11:00
  
  The Archers Omnibus—17/05/2026
  
  Alan gets involved in village life, and Kirsty faces an emotional moment.
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Afternoon
1. 12:15
  
  Profile—Christopher Harborne
  
  The Reform donor also known as Chakrit Sakunkrit.
2. 12:30
  
  The Unbelievable Truth—Series 33, 3. Words, Bears, The French and Mushrooms
  
  3/6 Tony Hawks, Zoe Lyons, Mark Steel and Fern Brady try to find the hidden truths.
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  The World This Weekend—Is Britain ungovernable?
  
  We'll discuss how to tackle the political churn and change the direction of travel.
5. 13:30
  
  Currently—Who’s Winning Muslim Voters?
  
  Why is the Labour party losing so many Muslim voters?
6. 14:00
  
  Gardeners' Question Time—Serge Hill Project
  
  Kathy Clugston and Peter Gibbs take the GQT panel to the Serge Hill Project.
7. 14:45
  
  One to One—Dharshini David meets fashion writer Anna Murphy
  
  The culture of the beauty industry and our attitude to ageing.
8. 15:00
  
  Drama on 4—Milady, Part 3
  
  3/4 Milady de Winter, one of literature’s greatest villains, is back from the dead.
9. 16:00
  
  Take Four Books—Katie Kitamura
  
  On her Booker-shortlisted novel, Audition, and how it connects to three other works.
10. 16:30
  
  Round Britain Quiz—7. Wales and Scotland - Third place play-off
  
  The battle for third place in the contest of lateral thinking, chaired by Kirsty Lang.
11. 17:00
  
  Witness History—The Irish priest who built an airport
  
  In 1986, a priest raised millions to open an airport at Knock in Ireland.
12. 17:10
  
  Understand—How Reading Made Us, 3. How Reading Made Our Politics
  
  3/3 Did reading create democracy? And what does it mean for our politics if reading dies out?
13. 17:54
  
  Shipping Forecast—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
14. 17:57
  
  Weather—17/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—Lisa Nandy: Starmer's future a 'personal decision' for him
  
  Downing Street insists Sir Keir will not step down.
2. 18:15
  
  Pick of the Week—Viji Alles
  
  Viji Alles presents a selection of highlights from the past week on BBC radio
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—17/05/2026
  
  Leonard goes on a mission.
4. 19:15
  
  Illuminated—Tarot and the Art of Creativity
  
  What will the tarot cards reveal for creatives Ben Okri, Lola Kirke and Jessica Knappett?
5. 19:45
  
  Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Have a Cup of Tea
  
  How the bioactive ingredients in tea help you relax and give your brain and bones a boost.
6. 20:00
  
  Word of Mouth—Oracy: We Need to Talk
  
  Michael Rosen talks to Amy Gaunt about how children are learning oracy, also known as talk
7. 20:30
  
  Last Word—Ruth Slenczynska, Dame Bridget Ogilvie, Tony Worthington, Russell Tyner KC
  
  Kirsty Lang on a virtuoso pianist, leading scientist, peace-seeking MP and legal pioneer.
8. 21:00
  
  Money Box—Lack of Wills and "Savvy Squirrel"
  
  Are you one of the millions of people in the UK without plans in place for when you die?
9. 21:25
  
  Radio 4 Appeal—Hope Support Services
  
  Comedian Ashley Storrie makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Hope Support Services.
10. 21:30
  
  From Our Own Correspondent—Donald Trump's China summit with Xi Jinping
  
  China's President Xi rolled out the red carpet for President Trump but differences remain
11. 22:00
  
  Westminster Hour—The latest on the Labour leadership and Andy Burnham's ambitions
  
  Ben Wright and guests discuss the latest on the Labour leadership and Andy Burnham's path.
12. 23:00
  
  In Our Time—The Garamantes
  
  The ancient civilisation which thrived in the Sahara Desert over 2,000 years ago.
13. 23:45
  
  Short Works—Algo by Kirstin Innes
  
  One woman faces a reckoning when asylum hotel protests dredge up unwelcome memories.
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Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—18/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:15
  
  Crossing Continents—Return to Khartoum: War, loss and hope
  
  Mohanad Hashim returns home to a fabled city wrecked by war.
3. 00:45
  
  Bells on Sunday—The church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk
  
  Bells on Sunday comes from the church of Saints Patrick and Andrew in Elveden Suffolk.
4. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—18/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
5. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
6. 05:00
  
  News Summary—18/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
7. 05:04
  
  Last Word—Ruth Slenczynska, Dame Bridget Ogilvie, Tony Worthington, Russell Tyner KC
  
  Kirsty Lang on a virtuoso pianist, leading scientist, peace-seeking MP and legal pioneer.
8. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—18/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
9. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—How not to make an argument
  
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
10. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—18/05/26: Grow more British flowers, new hands at the wheel of Red Tractor, hare coursing crackdown
  
  A call for more British flower growers to set up in business to meet blooming demand.
11. 05:57
  
  Weather—18/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers

Monday 18 May 2026