Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—17/08/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Take Four Books—Irvine Welsh
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh on his new novel, Men In Love, and its three influences.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/08/2025
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:30
News Summary—17/08/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Bells on Sunday—St Mary’s Church in Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
Bells on Sunday comes from St Mary’s Church in Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
05:45
In Touch—Macular Society Update; Deafblind in Scotland
In Touch speaks to the Macular Society about proposed changes within the organisation.
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Morning
06:00
News Summary—17/08/2025
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
06:05
Heart and Soul—Rāgas and Redemption: Alam Khan’s spiritual legacy
A son's spiritual journey through music, legacy and the cosmic power of rāgas
06:35
On Your Farm—The Rush Harvest
Charlotte Smith wades into the River Great Ouse to see the rush harvest.
06:57
Weather—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
07:00
News and Papers—17/08/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
07:10
Sunday—Russia-Ukraine; Saving the Shrimps; the pilgrim cellist
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
07:54
Radio 4 Appeal—The Holocaust Educational Trust
Actor Jason Isaacs makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Holocaust Educational Trust
07:57
Weather—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
08:00
News and Papers—17/08/2025
The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
08:10
Sunday Worship—In the Footsteps of Popes and Pilgrims
A pilgrimage to Rome with young people from the Diocese of Salford.
08:48
Witness History—Sweden’s shocking sugar experiment
In the 1940s, vulnerable hospital patients were fed sugar to see if their teeth decayed.
08:58
Tweet of the Day—George McGavin on the Snowy Owl
Entomologist George McGavin on a magical encounter with a snowy owl on the island of Unst.
09:00
Broadcasting House—Putin comes in from the cold
The world watched Presidents Trump and Putin shake hands in Alaska. What next?
10:00
Desert Island Discs—Maggie Alphonsi, broadcaster and former rugby player
Maggie Alphonsi, rugby player, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
11:00
The Archers Omnibus—17/08/2025
Lynda makes a faux pas, and Jazzer receives a tempting offer.
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Afternoon
12:15
The Bottom Line—The Decisions That Made Me, Sophie O’Brien (Pollen Careers, CEO)
Sophie O’Brien on how she plans to disrupt the recruitment industry.
12:30
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue—Series 83, 6. Dinner Table or Bedroom
6/6Adrian Edmondson, Miles Jupp, Rachel Parris and Henning Wehn return to the Bristol Beacon.
12:57
Weather—17/08/2025
The latest weather forecast
13:00
The World This Weekend—17/08/2025
Radio 4's look at the week's big stories from both home and around the world.
13:30
Assignment—Myanmar’s Scam Centres
Thousands of people are being forced to work in scam centres in Myanmar.
14:00
Gardeners' Question Time—Hyde Hall: Latin Names, Water Butts and Plant Superpowers
Peter Gibbs and a vibrant panel answer questions from a crowd of curious gardeners.
14:45
Why Do We Do That?—Series 2, 11. Why do we fall for the bad boy?
Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we like bad boys?
15:00
Drama on 4—Hersey’s Hiroshima - Part 2
Part two of John Hersey's searing account of the bombing of Hiroshima and its aftermath
16:00
Take Four Books—Rachel Kushner
The American writer Rachel Kushner talks about her novel Creation Lake and its influences.
16:30
Nature Table—Series 3, Episode 3
3/6Sue Perkins shows and tells nature with her guests.
17:00
Witness History—In event of moon disaster: 'The speech that never was'
Richard Nixon's contingency speech in case the moon landing astronauts never made it home
17:10
The Invention Of...—Hungary, Two World Wars and One Failed Revolution
3/3Misha Glenny on Hungary's dramatic and tragic history in two world wars.
17:54
Shipping Forecast—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
17:57
Weather—17/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—European Leaders Prepare to Accompany Zelensky to Washington
Sir Keir Starmer is among leaders rallying support for Ukraine
18:15
Pick of the Week—Rima Ahmed
Rima Ahmed presents selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
19:00
The Archers—17/08/2025
There’s an awkward customer at The Orangery.
19:15
Illuminated—Into the West
Horatio Clare goes in search of the bird he’s loved since childhood: the red-billed chough
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.
20:00
Feedback—Central Intelligence and AI in Radio
Andrea Catherwood puts listener questions to the team behind drama Central Intelligence.
20:30
Last Word—Jim Lovell, Biddy Baxter, Razia Jan, Iris Williams
Matthew Bannister on an astronaut, an editor, an educator, a singer
21:00
Sliced Bread—Toast - FHM
FHM was once the UK's best-selling men's magazine so why did they stop printing it?
21:25
Radio 4 Appeal—The Holocaust Educational Trust
Actor Jason Isaacs makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of The Holocaust Educational Trust
21:30
From Our Own Correspondent—Afghanistan's hidden lives
The daily struggles and hidden existence of women living in Afghanistan under Taliban rule
22:00
Westminster Hour—17/08/2025
Radio 4's Sunday night political discussion programme.
23:00
Artworks—What Happened to Counter-Culture?, 2. Revolution in the Head
2/5Stewart Lee explores the story and ideas of counter-culture and its importance today.
23:30
The History Podcast—The Lucan Obsession, 6. The Golden Hour
Lord Lucan vanishes in the hour after the murder. But where did he go?
23:45
Short Works—The Listener by Louise Farr
A grieving woman is interviewed by the police about the theft of a statue from a church.
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—18/08/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Crossing Continents—Tajikistan’s Last, Lonely Hyenas
One man’s determination to save the last few striped hyenas of Tajikistan
00:45
Bells on Sunday—St Mary’s Church in Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
Bells on Sunday comes from St Mary’s Church in Earl Stonham, Suffolk.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—18/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—18/08/2025
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—18/08/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Last Word—Jim Lovell, Biddy Baxter, Razia Jan, Iris Williams
Matthew Bannister on an astronaut, an editor, an educator, a singer
05:34
Shipping Forecast—18/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—Nurturing babies
with Dr Linden Bicket, a teacher at Edinburgh University's School of Divinity
05:45
Farming Today—18/08/2025: Crop prices, frozen trees, the UK salad industry
Does a tough autumn lie ahead for UK arable farmers?
05:57
Weather—18/08/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers












































