BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Wednesday 20 May 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—20/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1932: Flying Flags
  
  7/10 The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—20/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—20/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—20/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—20/05/2026
  
  Alicia McCarthy reports as the latest multi-billion pound price tag for HS2 is announced.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—20/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Stars
  
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—20/05/26 Climate Change Committee report, EU alignment, flower grower hub.
  
  What does the latest Climate Change Committee report mean for farmers?
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Morning
1. 06:00
  
  Today—20/05/2026
  
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  
  More or Less—Are refugees more likely to commit crime?
  
  Asylum seekers and crime, nuclear fish, the Quiet Revival and Sir David Attenborough.
3. 09:30
  
  Intrigue—To Catch a King, 2. The Bullet Train
  
  Gangs exert power through fear, but where are they getting weapons from?
4. 10:00
  
  Woman's Hour—Dawn French, Assault in Scottish schools, BBC's Two Weeks in August
  
  Comedian, actor and writer Dawn French on her latest novel Enough.
5. 11:00
  
  File on 4 Investigates—Adding Up: How Councils meet the costs of Special Educational Needs
  
  How do councils cope with the rising SEN bill?
6. 11:40
  
  This Week in History—May 18th to May 24th
  
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 11:45
  
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1935 and 1936: The Shine of Nazism Wears Thin
  
  8/10 The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  
  News Summary—20/05/2026
  
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  
  You and Yours—Unopened Parcels, RTS Switch Off and Flood Prevention
  
  Would you buy an opened parcel?
3. 12:57
  
  Weather—20/05/2026
  
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  
  World at One—Russia sanctions row
  
  There's claim and counter-claim in Parliament over sanctions on Russian oil products.
5. 13:45
  
  Understand—Rinsed, 8. Sorry?
  
  8/13 New legislation promises to slash the sewage released into rivers, but will it become law?
6. 14:00
  
  The Archers—19/05/2026
  
  Adam pushes forward with his plan.
7. 14:15
  
  Drama on 4—Trimerous, Episode Two: The Persistent Miss Potter
  
  2/2 Drama celebrating the remarkable stories of three great British female horticulturalists.
8. 15:00
  
  Money Box—Money Box Live: Invest or Save?
  
  Felicity Hannah and a team of experts answer your investing questions.
9. 15:30
  
  The Friendly Virus
  
  As antibiotics start to fail, are we ready to enter the age of phage?
10. 16:00
  
  When It Hits the Fan—Did Swatch PR Backfire?
  
  David Yelland and Farzana Baduel discuss if chaos is ever good PR.
11. 16:15
  
  The Media Show—The new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, MAFS under investigation & Richard Madeley goes inside El Salvadore's CECOT mega jail
  
  Matt Brittin on day three at the BBC, MAFS and Richard Madeley inside a mega jail.
12. 17:00
  
  PM—Israel Security Minister taunts detained activists
  
  Multiple nations summon Israeli ambassadors over activist detainees being taunted.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  
  Six O'Clock News—The government extends the 5 pence cut to fuel duty
  
  Ministers were due to introduce a phased increase from September
2. 18:30
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Ian Smith Is Stressed - Series 2, 1. Community
  
  1/4 Ian Smith is back on his quest for calm.
3. 19:00
  
  The Archers—20/05/2026
  
  Den plans a surprise for Brad.
4. 19:15
  
  Front Row—Heated Rivalry author Rachel Reid
  
  Rachel Reid on her books which propelled the Heated Rivalry phenomenon.
5. 20:00
  
  AntiSocial—Queerbaiting
  
  Are stars like Harry Styles guilty of it, and should they be called out?
6. 20:45
  
  Human Intelligence—Series 1, Collectors: Charles Darwin
  
  A life-long collector of curiosities, Darwin saw massive significance in tiny changes.
7. 21:00
  
  The Gift—Series 3, 3. Fathers
  
  3/6 Technology catches up with sperm donors in ways they could never have imagined.
8. 21:30
  
  All in the Mind—What do out-of-body experiences tell us about consciousness?
  
  Should All In The Mind really be called 'All In the Brain'?
9. 22:00
  
  The World Tonight—Chancellor prepares to outline measures on cost of living
  
  Chancellor will outline proposal to limit judicial review on green energy projects
10. 22:45
  
  Hunger and Thirst by Claire Fuller—Bad Seeds
  
  8/10 With no word from Sue, Ursula finds herself embraced by the family of her missing friend.
11. 23:00
  
  Stand-Up Specials—Sarah Keyworth: Are You a Boy or a Girl? S2, 2: 'Think of the children'
  
  2/4 Comedian Sarah Keyworth explores their personal journey with gender fluidity and androgyny
12. 23:15
  
  The Skewer—Series 16, 5. Married At First Sh*te
  
  5/5 All hail The King of the North and all condemn Married At First Sh*te.
13. 23:30
  
  Today in Parliament—20/05/2026
  
  Alicia McCarthy reports on Prime Minister's Questions - and more.
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  
  Midnight News—21/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  
  Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe by Katja Hoyer—1935 and 1936: The Shine of Nazism Wears Thin
  
  8/10 The story of the residents of Weimar during the rise and reign of Hitler.
3. 00:48
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/05/2026
  
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  
  News Summary—21/05/2026
  
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  
  Yesterday in Parliament—21/05/2026
  
  Susan Hulme with the main news from Westminster.
7. 05:34
  
  Shipping Forecast—21/05/2026
  
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  
  Prayer for the Day—Trees
  
  Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection, with Rabbi Monique Mayer.
9. 05:45
  
  Farming Today—21/05/26 Drought report, impact of Middle East war on berry growers, farm flower garden.
  
  New report from House of Lords warns taps could run dry if we don't manage water better.

Thursday 21 May 2026