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
  Susan Hulme reports as ministers face MPs questions over their U-turn on Digital ID cards.
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 Cambridge University vet school, artisan cheese, barrister farmer
  Campaign to keep training vets at Cambridge University.
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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—Nikki Lilly, Debt, Grief over a pet, Hayley Squires
  The TikTok influencer and disability campaigner talks about her life and career.
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—Men and Loneliness
  Should society intervene to help lonely men?
3. 12:57
  Weather—16/01/2026
  The latest weather forecast
4. 13:00
  World at One—Jenrick: My defection will 'unite the right'
  Robert Jenrick says helping Nigel Farage become PM will be 'worth the pain' of defecting.
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.
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—Claudette Colvin, Ian Balding, Gerry Gable, Bob Weir, Juliet Robertson
  Matthew Bannister on a campaigner, a racehorse trainer, an activist and an educationalist.
12. 16:30
  More or Less—Have more than 100 private schools been forced to close because of VAT?
  Tim Harford investigates closing schools, X users, Covid deaths and churchgoers
13. 17:00
  PM—West Midlands Police chief retires amid Maccabi Tel Aviv controversy
  Chief Constable blames 'political and media frenzy' over decision to retire.
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Evening
1. 18:00
  Six O'Clock News—NHS trust breached nurses’ dignity in transgender changing room case
  Tribunal ruled Durham and Darlington Trust created hostile and humiliating enviroemnt.
2. 18:30
  The News Quiz—Series 119, 2. U-Turn, We Defect
  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?—Mothin Ali, Lord Elliott, Kate Nicholls, Emily Thornberry MP
  Alex Forsyth presents political debate from Marsden in West Yorkshire.
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—West Midlands police chief retires over Israeli fan ban row
  The chief constable of West Midlands Police, Craig Guildford, retires
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—Can Denmark convince Trump not to “conquer” Greenland?
  White House talks on Greenland end in “fundamental disagreement”
11. 23:30
  Today in Parliament—16/01/2026
  Alicia McCarthy reports from Westminster.
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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—Fearfully and wonderfully made
  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