Schedule
Early
00:00
Midnight News—21/12/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Take Four Books—Salman Rushdie
On his new collection of short fiction and its connections to three other literary works.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—21/12/2025
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:30
News Summary—21/12/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:34
Shipping Forecast—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Bells on Sunday—The church of St John the Baptist in Mathon, Herefordshire
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St John the Baptist in Mathon, Herefordshire.
05:45
In Touch—A Visually Impaired Figure Skater, Navigating a New EU Border System
A visually impaired figure skater tells In Touch about the sport she loves.
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Morning
06:00
News Summary—21/12/2025
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
06:05
Beyond Belief—Faith and the climate crisis: ten years since Laudato Si
Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world.
06:35
On Your Farm—Red Leicester
Sarah Swadling is in Leicestershire, with the Red Leicester cheese making Clarke family.
06:57
Weather—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
07:00
News and Papers—21/12/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
07:10
Sunday—New Archbishop of Westminster; Billy Bragg protest song; Priestess of Avalon
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Edward Stourton.
07:54
Radio 4 Appeal—Ethiopiaid
Jenny Agutter makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Ethiopiaid.
07:57
Weather—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
08:00
News and Papers—21/12/2025
The news headlines, including a look at the newspapers.
08:10
Sunday Worship—Advent Authors - CS Lewis
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent from Belfast, reflecting on the writings of CS Lewis.
08:48
Witness History—Dismaland: Banksy's dystopian theme park
In 2015, the street artist transformed a derelict pool into a dystopian ‘bemusement park’.
08:58
Tweet of the Day—Liz Berry on the Robin
Fascinating stories about birds inspired by their calls, songs and behaviour.
09:00
Broadcasting House—A festive Broadcasting House
A brass band, a druid celebrating Winter Solstice and Darren Jones with a review of 2025.
10:00
Desert Island Discs—Kate Winslet, actor
Kate Winslet, actor, shares the soundtrack of her life with Lauren Laverne.
11:00
The Archers Omnibus—21/12/2025
Chris has the rug pulled, and The Archers come together for the festive season.
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Afternoon
12:15
Profile—Mary Berry
The former Bake Off judge and queen of Christmas.
12:30
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue—Series 84, 6. London's Royal Festival Hall
6/6Joe Lycett, Pippa Evans, Richard Coles and Tony Hawks return to the Royal Festival Hall.
12:57
Weather—21/12/2025
The latest weather forecast
13:00
The World This Weekend—"Shadow of war": is the UK ready?
Amid escalating warnings, we examine whether the UK is prepared for war.
13:30
Currently—Left Out: the political radicalisation of young women - and the silence surrounding it
A look at the leftwards move of young women and why media and politicians are ignoring it
14:00
Gardeners' Question Time—Wrexham County Borough: Rose Cuttings, Begonias and Hydrangeas
Kathy Clugston and the team visit Wrexham County Borough to answer your gardening issues.
14:45
Opening Lines—Sense and Sensibility - Episode Two
John Yorke explores the enduring appeal of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility.
15:00
Drama on 4—Sense and Sensibility, Part 2
2/2Marianne is desperate to see Willoughby again. Elinor is hiding a secret about Edward.
16:00
Bookclub—Emma Thompson: Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
A special episode to mark the Jane Austen anniversary with the actress Emma Thompson.
16:30
Punt & Dennis: Route Masters—Series 1: From Beer to Eternity, 9 – From Ipswich Town to Nessie
9/10Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis perambulate between Ipswich Town and Nessie, with Susie Dent.
17:00
Witness History—When Laurel and Hardy spent Christmas at an English pub
In 1953, the comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy spent a few weeks at the Bull Inn.
17:10
Living and Light
Illuminating new science on artificial light and our health.
17:40
The Ideas List—1. Mondex
Claudia Hammond revisits a bold experiment in digital cash, launched in Swindon
17:54
Shipping Forecast—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
17:57
Weather—21/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecast
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Evening
18:00
Six O'Clock News—US reportedly intercepts third oil tanker off Venezuelan coast
Venezuela has accused the US of international piracy
18:15
Pick of the Week—Peter Curran
Peter Curran presents a selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
19:00
The Archers—21/12/2025
Fallon is left shaken.
19:15
Illuminated—A Very British Christmas
A headlong dive into Christmas Day 2024, made up entirely from phone-recorded voice notes.
19:45
Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley—Get Some Houseplants
Why houseplants may help your productivity, brain power and improve the air you breathe.
20:00
Feedback—Feedback's Interview of the Year 2025
Andrea Catherwood announces the winner of Feedback's Interview of the Year 2025.
20:30
Last Word—Rob Reiner, Joanna Trollope, Stanley Baxter, Sophie Kinsella
Matthew Bannister on a film-maker, a comedian and two authors.
21:00
Money Box—Mortgages, Silver Marriages and Warren Buffett
How will this week's rate cut by the Bank of England affect mortgages?
21:25
Radio 4 Appeal—Ethiopiaid
Jenny Agutter makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of Ethiopiaid.
21:30
From Our Own Correspondent—Ukraine's defiant stand in Pokrovsk
Ukraine's soldiers resist Russia's relentless advance in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region
22:00
Loose Ends—Loose Ends Lounge: Curtis Stigers, Amy MacDonald, The Lottery Winners, Rachel Sermanni, Peat & Diesel
Stuart Maconie showcases some of the best music performances from Loose Ends this year.
23:00
In Our Time—Dickens
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Charles Dickens.
23:45
Short Works—Dreaming
A Nottingham lad gets stuck and breaks free in the same afternoon. By Henry Normal.
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Late
00:00
Midnight News—22/12/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
00:15
Crossing Continents—Stolen brides of Kazakhstan: the fightback
What if a stranger decided to marry you? Would you agree?
00:45
Bells on Sunday—The church of St John the Baptist in Mathon, Herefordshire
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St John the Baptist in Mathon, Herefordshire.
00:48
Shipping Forecast—22/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
01:00
Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—22/12/2025
A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
05:00
News Summary—22/12/2025
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
05:04
Last Word—Rob Reiner, Joanna Trollope, Stanley Baxter, Sophie Kinsella
Matthew Bannister on a film-maker, a comedian and two authors.
05:34
Shipping Forecast—22/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
05:43
Prayer for the Day—22/12/2025
Spiritual reflection with Fiona Stewart, a writer who runs a Christian arts charity.
05:45
Farming Today—22/12/25 Government animal welfare reforms, reaction to the Farm Profitability Review
Trail hunting and caged hens are to go in a new government animal welfare strategy.
05:57
Weather—22/12/2025
The latest weather reports and forecasts for farmers













































