BBC World Service UK DAB/Freeview Schedule Wednesday 20 May 2026

UK DAB/Freeview Schedule

View BBC World Service schedule variations

Skip to:

Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 00:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 00:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 00:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
3. 00:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 00:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
4. 00:32GMT
  
  The Global Story—Inside the war in Lebanon
  
  Despite a ceasefire, Israel’s still at war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. (R)
5. 01:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 01:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 01:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 01:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
7. 01:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 01:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
8. 01:32GMT
  
  The Climate Question—The electric car boom in South East Asia
  
  How Thailand and Vietnam are seeing rapid growth in EV sales and manufacturing (R)
9. 02:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 02:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
10. 02:06GMT
  
  Outlook—My childhood prophecy: You must become a chess champion
  
  Chess.com co-founder Danny Rensch's obsession with chess deepened after a trance session (R)
11. 02:50GMT
  
  Witness History—Exposing King Albert II's secret child
  
  In 1999, teenager Mario Danneels wrote a book which exposed a royal scandal in Belgium (R)
12. 03:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 03:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
13. 03:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 03:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
14. 03:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 03:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
15. 03:32GMT
  
  World of Secrets—Searching for Soldier Dad, 5. Answers
  
  5/5 A shock court appearance and we put questions to the British Army
16. 04:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 04:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 04:06GMT
  
  Newsday—Putin and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing
  
  President Putin of Russia is in China days after the US President visited.
18. 05:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 05:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
19. 05:06GMT
  
  Newsday—Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet in Beijing
  
  The visit by the Russia President follows that of the US President last week.
Back to top
Morning
1. 06:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 06:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 06:06GMT
  
  Newsday—China-Russia meeting
  
  Russia's President Vladimir Putin has met Xi Jinping at China's Great Hall of the People.
3. 07:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 07:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
4. 07:06GMT
  
  The Interview—Daniel Noboa, Ecuador President: A war on gangs
  
  Caitriona Perry speaks to President Noboa about the fight against international gangs
5. 07:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 07:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
6. 07:32GMT
  
  Business Daily—Trump v The US Federal Reserve
  
  Trump's pick for the US Fed chair risks rebuke from the president if rates do not fall
7. 07:50GMT
  
  Witness History—Witness History
  
  Personal account of history
8. 08:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 08:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
9. 08:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 08:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
10. 08:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 08:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
11. 08:32GMT
  
  The Climate Question—The electric car boom in South East Asia
  
  How Thailand and Vietnam are seeing rapid growth in EV sales and manufacturing (R)
12. 09:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 09:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
13. 09:06GMT
  
  In Our Time—The Columbian Exchange
  
  Misha Glenny and guests discuss the spread of animals, crops and diseases after 1492. (R)
14. 10:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 10:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
15. 10:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 10:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
16. 10:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 10:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
17. 10:32GMT
  
  The Global Story—Why Britain keeps losing prime ministers
  
  Britain has had six leaders in 10 years. Why might Keir Starmer be the next forced out?
18. 11:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 11:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
19. 11:06GMT
  
  Outlook—Grateful 'for a couple of hours of normal life'
  
  Tari Lang on teenage love, fear and making yoghurt during 1960s Indonesian dictatorship
20. 11:50GMT
  
  Witness History—Witness History
  
  Personal account of history (R)
Back to top
Afternoon
1. 12:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 12:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 12:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 12:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
3. 12:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 12:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
4. 12:32GMT
  
  World of Secrets—Searching for Soldier Dad, 5. Answers
  
  5/5 A shock court appearance and we put questions to the British Army (R)
5. 13:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 13:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 13:06GMT
  
  Newshour—Ebola: Is lack of testing the problem?
  
  Why the Ebola outbreak was able to spread so quickly
7. 14:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 14:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
8. 14:06GMT
  
  The Interview—Daniel Noboa, Ecuador President: A war on gangs
  
  Caitriona Perry speaks to President Noboa about the fight against international gangs (R)
9. 14:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 14:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
10. 14:32GMT
  
  Business Daily—Trump v The US Federal Reserve
  
  Trump's pick for the US Fed chair risks rebuke from the president if rates do not fall (R)
11. 14:50GMT
  
  World Business Express—Trump leaves, Putin enters
  
  The Russian leader meets with President Xi after the US President's visit to Beijing
12. 15:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 15:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
13. 15:06GMT
  
  Outside Source—Arsenal fans celebrate Premier League title
  
  We hear from fans around the world
14. 16:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 16:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
15. 16:06GMT
  
  Outside Source—Raúl Castro to be indicted in the US
  
  We have the latest from our correspondent in Havana
16. 17:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 17:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 17:06GMT
  
  Outlook—Grateful 'for a couple of hours of normal life'
  
  Tari Lang on teenage love, fear and making yoghurt during 1960s Indonesian dictatorship (R)
18. 17:50GMT
  
  Witness History—Witness History
  
  Personal account of history (R)
Back to top
Evening
1. 18:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 18:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 18:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 18:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
3. 18:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 18:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
4. 18:32GMT
  
  Sport Today—2026/05/20 GMT
  
  BBC sports correspondents tell the story behind today's top sporting news, with interviews and reports from across the world.
5. 19:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 19:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 19:06GMT
  
  The Climate Question—The electric car boom in South East Asia
  
  How Thailand and Vietnam are seeing rapid growth in EV sales and manufacturing (R)
7. 19:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 19:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
8. 19:32GMT
  
  Health Check—Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
  
  An outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is declared a health emergency
9. 20:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 20:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
10. 20:06GMT
  
  Newshour—Former Cuban president Raul Castro indicted in US
  
  The former leader is charged over fatal downing of two planes in 1996
11. 21:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 21:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
12. 21:06GMT
  
  The Interview—Daniel Noboa, Ecuador President: A war on gangs
  
  Caitriona Perry speaks to President Noboa about the fight against international gangs (R)
13. 21:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 21:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
14. 21:32GMT
  
  World of Secrets—Searching for Soldier Dad, 5. Answers
  
  5/5 A shock court appearance and we put questions to the British Army (R)
15. 22:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 22:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
16. 22:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—20/05/2026 22:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
17. 22:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—20/05/2026 22:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
18. 22:32GMT
  
  World Business Report—Why did Bolt's CEO fire whole HR team?
  
  Ryan Breslow defends his decision saying they 'created problems that didn't exist.'
19. 23:00GMT
  
  BBC News—20/05/2026 23:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
20. 23:06GMT
  
  In Our Time—The Columbian Exchange
  
  Misha Glenny and guests discuss the spread of animals, crops and diseases after 1492. (R)
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 00:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
2. 00:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—21/05/2026 00:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
3. 00:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—21/05/2026 00:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
4. 00:32GMT
  
  The Global Story—Why Britain keeps losing prime ministers
  
  Britain has had six leaders in 10 years. Why might Keir Starmer be the next forced out? (R)
5. 01:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 01:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
6. 01:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—21/05/2026 01:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
7. 01:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—21/05/2026 01:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
8. 01:32GMT
  
  The Documentary—When Shiraz calls
  
  Intimate conversations of two Iranian sisters - one in the UK, the other in Iran
9. 02:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 02:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
10. 02:06GMT
  
  Outlook—Grateful 'for a couple of hours of normal life'
  
  Tari Lang on teenage love, fear and making yoghurt during 1960s Indonesian dictatorship (R)
11. 02:50GMT
  
  Witness History—Witness History
  
  Personal account of history (R)
12. 03:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 03:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
13. 03:06GMT
  
  The Newsroom—21/05/2026 03:06 GMT
  
  The world's Newsroom brings you global events as they happen
14. 03:30GMT
  
  BBC News Summary—21/05/2026 03:30 GMT
  
  The latest two minute news summary from BBC World Service.
15. 03:32GMT
  
  The Food Chain—The craft of the cocktail
  
  Three renowned bartenders on what it takes to create the perfect drink.
16. 04:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 04:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
17. 04:06GMT
  
  Newsday—US indicts Raul Castro of Cuba
  
  The former president, along with five others, indicted on murder and conspiracy charges.
18. 05:00GMT
  
  BBC News—21/05/2026 05:01 GMT
  
  The latest five minute news bulletin from BBC World Service.
19. 05:06GMT
  
  Newsday—Former Cuban president charged with murder in US
  
  Raul Castro and five others were indicted on murder and conspiracy charges

Thursday 21 May 2026

Please choose the appropriate schedule