BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Thursday 9 April 2026

Schedule

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On air
Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—09/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Lifeboat at the End of the World by Dominic Gregory—Episode 3
  3/5Dominic joins the crew on board the lifeboat as it heads out to a yacht in difficulties.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—09/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—09/04/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—09/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Crossing Continents—Albania: Land, Money and the Sea
  Ivanka Trump, a beach full of sheep and the changing landscape of southern Albania.
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—09/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Mary - a mother consoled
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Bishop David Walker.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—09/04/26 C02 plant back up and running, planting in a bog, oilseed rape
  Farmers can once again sell their wheat for bioethanol, as CO2 plant reopens.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—09/04/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  In Our Time—Handel's Messiah
  The origin and development of Handel's great sacred oratorio, premiered in Dublin in 1742.
3. 09:45
  Strong Message Here—Righteous Targets for Violence (with Hugo Rifkind)
  Are politicians invoking the Almighty more regularly than before?
4. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—Forced adoption, Queen Elizabeth II's outfits exhibition, Indigo Reign
  A potential apology is expected from the Church of England over forced adoptions.
5. 11:00
  This Cultural Life—Danielle de Niese
  Soprano Danielle de Niese reveals her cultural influences and formative experiences.
6. 11:45
  Lifeboat at the End of the World by Dominic Gregory—Episode 4
  4/5A kitesurfer stubbornly refuses help as he struggles to swim back to shore.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—09/04/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  Scam Secrets—Following the Trail
  Who really sent that message?
3. 12:32
  Sliced Bread—Earwax Removers
  Can store-bought solutions really keep earwax at bay?
4. 12:57
  Weather—09/04/2026
  The latest weather forecast
5. 13:00
  World at One—Does the US-Iran ceasefire apply to Lebanon?
  Iran's president says it won't abandon the Lebanese people in the face of Israeli attacks.
6. 13:45
  Puffed Up: Inventions Out of Thin Air—When the Balloon Bursts
  4/5Mark Miodownik explores the inventions that blew up… and then flopped
7. 14:00
  The Archers—08/04/2026
  David is full of the joys of spring.
8. 14:15
  Drama on 4—Hope Bourne
  Eileen Atkins and Alex Jennings in Hope Bourne, a portrait of the writer/artist’s life.
9. 15:00
  Open Country—Carrifran Wildwood
  Martha Kearney visits an eco-restoration project in lowland Scotland.
10. 15:27
  Radio 4 Appeal—The Leprosy Mission
  Broadcaster Pam Rhodes makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Leprosy Mission
11. 15:30
  Feedback—Broadcasting House, and When It Hits the Fan
  Andrea Catherwood gets a behind-the-scenes look into Broadcasting House.
12. 16:00
  The Briefing Room—Will Trump take Cuba?
  Donald Trump says he might 'take' Cuba, but what would that mean for Cubans and Americans?
13. 16:30
  BBC Inside Science—Return to the moon
  What have we learnt from Artemis II?
14. 17:00
  PM—Israel asks for direct talks with Lebanon
  Netanyahu orders direct negotiations with Lebanon, aimed at 'disarming Hezbollah'.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel wants direct talks with Lebanon
  His statement follows fresh evacuation orders for southern Beirut
2. 18:30
  The Matt Forde Focus Group—Series 2, 5. The Politics of Denial
  5/6Is denial the default setting of British politics?
3. 19:00
  The Archers—09/04/2026
  Alan rallies the troops.
4. 19:15
  Front Row—Reviewing new work from Francois Ozon, Amitav Ghosh and Jim Jarmusch
  Reviewing new work from Francois Ozon, Amitav Ghosh and Jim Jarmusch.
5. 20:00
  The Bottom Line—The Decisions That Made Me, Alan French (Thomas Cook, CEO)
  Alan French on being at the helm of a collapsing company and turning it around.
6. 20:15
  The Media Show—Ronan Farrow on investigating OpenAI and Sam Altman, Misha Glenny, Bel Trew & Madhumita Murgia
  Ronan Farrow on investigating OpenAI & Sam Altman, Misha Glenny, Bel Trew & Madhu Murgia.
7. 21:00
  Loose Ends—Jen Brister, Angelique Kidjo, Giles Terera, Jojo Moyes, Tessa Rose Jackson
  Clive Anderson and guests with an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy.
8. 21:45
  Strong Message Here—Righteous Targets for Violence (with Hugo Rifkind)
  Are politicians invoking the Almighty more regularly than before?
9. 22:00
  The World Tonight—Israel to hold talks with Lebanon but no ceasefire
  The announcement followed reports of pressure on Israel from President Trump
10. 22:45
  Seascraper by Benjamin Wood—Episode 9
  9/10The morning after he was rescued from the sinkpit Thomas wakes up at home.
11. 23:00
  Radical with Amol Rajan—The Reading Recession: Are We Making Ourselves Less Intelligent? (James Marriott)
  Tracing the historical relationship between reading, intelligence and democracy.
12. 23:30
  On air
  Listen live
  Money, Influence and the NHS—It’s Time Patients Knew
  2/3Dr Margaret McCartney’s quest to reveal conflicts of interest that may impact your care.
  Listen live
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Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—10/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Lifeboat at the End of the World by Dominic Gregory—Episode 4
  4/5A kitesurfer stubbornly refuses help as he struggles to swim back to shore.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—10/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—10/04/2026
  BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—10/04/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  The Briefing Room—Will Trump take Cuba?
  Donald Trump says he might 'take' Cuba, but what would that mean for Cubans and Americans?
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—10/04/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping.
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—St Thomas - doubts assuaged
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Bishop David Walker.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—10/04/12 Wildfire season and recovery after moorland fires last year, planting herbs
  UK wildfire season and the farmer recovering after a moorland blaze last year.