BBC Radio 4 FM Schedule Friday 16 January 2026

Schedule

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Early
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Late

Early
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—16/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Piccadilly—Work
  4/5A story of five men, who experienced double diaspora, from India to East Africa to the UK.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—16/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—16/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:00
  News Summary—16/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:04
  Yesterday in Parliament—16/01/2026
  News, views and features on yesterday's stories in Parliament
7. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—16/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
8. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—Everyday Miracles
  A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rabbi Warren Elf.
9. 05:45
  Farming Today—16/01/2026
  The latest news about food, farming and the countryside.
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Morning
1. 06:00
  Today—16/01/2026
  News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
2. 09:00
  Desert Island Discs—Jesse Armstrong, writer
  Jesse Armstrong, writer, shares the soundtrack of his life with Lauren Laverne.
3. 10:00
  Woman's Hour—16/01/2026
  Women's voices and women's lives - topical conversations to inform, challenge and inspire.
4. 11:00
  The Food Programme—The Science of Fermentation
  Fermented foods are more popular than ever, but what's the science? Dan Saladino reports.
5. 11:45
  Piccadilly—Settled
  5/5A story of five men, who experienced double diaspora, from India to East Africa to the UK.
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Afternoon
1. 12:00
  News Summary—16/01/2026
  The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4.
2. 12:04
  AntiSocial—16/01/2026
  Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.
3. 12:57
  Weather—16/01/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—16/01/2026
  News, analysis and comment from BBC Radio 4
5. 13:45
  Human Intelligence—Series 2, Perfectionists: Martha Graham
  Martha Graham was to modern dance what Picasso was to painting.
6. 14:00
  The Archers—15/01/2026
  Chris struggles to keep his cool.
7. 14:15
  Limelight—Spores: Series 2, Episode 5. Dark Healer
  5/5The sinister truth behind the mould infections is exposed and Cassie takes drastic action.
8. 14:45
  Materials of State—The Sword of State
  David Cannadine looks at the history and symbolism of the Sword of State.
9. 15:00
  Gardeners' Question Time—Clara Vale
  Kathy Clugston and the panel are in the Clara Vale for this week's GQT.
10. 15:45
  Short Works—A Creature of Habit by Joanna Cannon
  In this specially commissioned short story Barbara decides to make a new start.
11. 16:00
  Last Word—16/01/2026
  Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
12. 16:30
  More or Less—14/01/2026
  Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life.
13. 17:00
  PM—16/01/2026
  News and current affairs, reporting on breaking stories and summing up the day's headlines
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—16/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 18:30
  The News Quiz—Series 119, Episode 2
  2/8Andy Zaltzman is back at the helm, ready to dive into the news.
3. 19:00
  The Archers—16/01/2026
  One resident faces a shocking truth.
4. 19:15
  Screenshot—Survival
  Ellen and Mark explore how the challenges of nature have proved rich territory on screen.
5. 20:00
  Any Questions?—16/01/2026
  Topical discussion posing questions to a panel of political and media personalities
6. 20:55
  This Week in History—12th to 18th January
  Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
7. 21:00
  Free Thinking—Victorian Values
  Gisela Stuart, AN Wilson, Fern Riddell, Sarah Williams, Matthew Stallard and Matthew Sweet
8. 22:00
  The World Tonight—16/01/2026
  In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspective
9. 22:45
  The Cyberiad by Stanislaw Lem—Prince Ferrix and the Princess Crystal
  5/5Trurl presents a story that reveals the surprising history of his advanced universe.
10. 23:00
  Americast—16/01/2026
  Join Americast for insights and analysis on what's happening inside Trump's White House.
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—16/01/2026
  News, views and features on today's stories in Parliament
Back to top
Late
1. 00:00
  Midnight News—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
2. 00:30
  Piccadilly—Settled
  5/5A story of five men, who experienced double diaspora, from India to East Africa to the UK.
3. 00:48
  Shipping Forecast—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
4. 01:00
  Selection of BBC World Service Programmes—17/01/2026
  A selection of BBC World Service news and current affairs, arts and science programmes.
5. 05:30
  News Summary—17/01/2026
  National and international news from BBC Radio 4
6. 05:34
  Shipping Forecast—17/01/2026
  The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
7. 05:43
  Prayer for the Day—17/01/2026
  A reflection and prayer to start the day with Andrew Roycroft.
8. 05:45
  Materials of State—The Sword of State
  David Cannadine looks at the history and symbolism of the Sword of State.

Saturday 17 January 2026